OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has inched up again, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months. A report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 60.6 in June from 60.5 in May, hitting another three-year high. Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index rose to 63.6 from 62.5 in May.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

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

Strong, thunderstorm winds overturned a semi on Interstate 80 Monday afternoon in Cass County, causing the driver to be sent to hospital for treatment of what were described as “incapacitating injuries.” The Iowa State Patrol says the 2015 Freightliner semi driven by 56-year old Leroy Gault, of Braymer, Missouri, was traveling west on I-80 at around 12:30-p.m., when the winds tossed the rig into the median and landed on its driver’s side, near the 71-mile marker.

A passing motorist helped Gault out of the semi. He was subsequently transported by Anita Fire and Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital. Interstate traffic was reduced to one lane for more than a couple of hours while crews worked to remove the semi from the accident scene.

Cass County Democratic Party Chiar Sherry Toelle reports the Democratic Parties of Adams, Cass, Pottawattamie, and Union Counties will be hosting an afternoon with Tim Ennis, candidate for the Iowa House, District 21, on Saturday, July 12th, 2014 from 2 to 4 PM.

The event will be held at the Corning Winery’s Floating Vine, located just south of Corning. Tickets are $25 per person and can be ordered from Sherry Toelle, Chair of the Cass County Democratic Party, or
purchased at the door the day of the event. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres with a cash bar.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

FAIRFAX, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has been killed in a building collapse caused by severe weather in eastern Iowa. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says strong winds blew through the small community of Fairfax on Monday and caused extensive damage to a building that trapped a man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Severe weather affected much of the state Monday, causing damage to properties and reports of extensive flooding.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials are warning people to stay away from boating on the Mississippi River along the eastern border of Iowa because of flooding. The state Department of Natural Resources says high water has placed large amounts of debris in the water, creating unsafe boating conditions. There are also reports of boat wakes causing flooding in cabins along the river. Officials recommend that people stay away from swimming, wading and entering the river.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Damage including flooded roads and downed power lines has been reported around Iowa as severe weather packing heavy rain and large hail moved through the state. The National Weather Service says it received dozens of reports Monday about damage caused by severe thunderstorms. Reported damage included snapped trees in Hamilton County, downed power lines in Hardin County and flash flooding in Black Hawk County.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The bishop of the Des Moines Diocese has placed a priest on indefinite administrative leave after finding a decades-old allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was credible. The diocese says Bishop Richard Pate has placed the Rev. Howard Fitzgerald on leave while the matter is forwarded to the Vatican. While on leave, Fitzgerald can’t function publicly as a priest. Pate also has asked him to not wear clerical garb.

Police in Harlan have issued an alert to area residents about possible roof inspection scams. Officials say people are calling from the 402 area code wanting to come out and inspect roofs damaged by recent hail and wind events. The calls were directed at elderly individuals.

Additional information is expected to be released later, with regard to the validity of the roof inspection requests.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Monday, issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for five counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather that took place beginning on June 26th. Locall, Adair and Guthrie Counties are included in the proclamation, which allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of the storms.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program (IAP) for Adair and Guthrie Counties. The IAP provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three.

Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available of the Iowa Department of Human Services website:  http://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs

Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.