OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwestern and Plains states rose slightly in August, suggesting growth is ahead. A survey report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index inched up to 57.2 last month from 57.0 in July. The index had reached a three-year high of 60.6 in June.

Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index climbed to 60.4 from 60.0 in July. It had hit 63.6 in June. The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers at Creighton University say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Red Oak report 51-year old Fred Carl Flick, of Red Oak, was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning, for allegedly Supplying Alcohol to a Minor. Flick was taken into custody at around 12:30-a.m. His bond was set at $1,000.  And an 18-year old from Red Oak was cited late Monday night for being a Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Jazmyne Labri George was cited at around 11:30-p.m. and released on a $330 citation.

Red Oak Police report also the arrest Monday night of 18-year old Zachary Aaron Thomas, of Red Oak. He was taken into custody in the 1900 block of east Summit Street at around 11:40-p.m., for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thomas was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 cash bond.

And a little after 9-p.m., Monday, Red Oak Police arrested 25-year old Patrick James Covey, of Red Oak, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Covey was also cited for Careless Driving. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 cash bond.

An Atlantic woman charged late last month with two counts of Child Endangerment causing Bodily Injury and 10 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon for her preliminary hearing. 30-year old Leatha Slausen admitted to injecting her five-year-old daughter Riley with a drug that can cause pain in the body, and treating her with cannabis oil as part of a scheme to raise money for the girl’s cancer treatments. An investigation revealed the girl had no known cancer or other form of terminal illness.

Leatha Slauson’s hearing is set to take place at 2-p.m. in Cass County District Court. She remains in the Cass County Jail on $35,000 cash only bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) – Two women responsible for the care of a woman with a seizure disorder who was immobile and unable to speak have been charged with dependent adult abuse. The Omaha World-Herald reports 51-year old Lisa Kay Moody died on Nov. 16th from pneumonia. Fremont County Attorney James Burger says Moody had serious bedsores that reflected inadequate care.

Burger says he has charged 72-year old JoAnn Clark, a home care provider, and 54-year-old Tamara O’Neil, a nurse advising Clark on Moody’s care. Clark’s trial is scheduled for late this month and O’Neil’s is in October. Both say they’re not guilty.

Clark’s attorney, Corey Becker of Sidney, says his client cared very much for Moody after caring for her for years and she will be exonerated. O’Neil’s attorney declined to comment.

A man from Boone died and two Oskaloosa residents were injured during a collision Monday morning in central Iowa’s Greene County. The Iowa State Patrol says 27-year old Daniel Reetz, of Boone, died at the scene of the crash on Highway 30, about a mile east of Grand Junction near 220th Street. The accident happened at around 9:30-a.m., Monday. Reetz was not wearing a seat belt.

Officials say Reetz’ 2001 Chevy Impala was traveling west on Highway 30 in a reckless manner, when his car crossed the center line of the road and hit an eastbound 2007 Cadillac Escalade driven by 25-year old Lombardo Ramos, of Oskaloosa.

Ramos and his unidentified female passenger, who were wearing their seat belts, were transported to the hospital in Jefferson. Their injuries were not believed to be life threatening.