OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of rural bankers shows that rising commodity prices and lower energy costs are helping businesses in Midwestern states and the northern Plains. The Rural Mainstreet Index released Thursday climbed in December, the fourth straight month of growth. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey from Omaha, Nebraska says the reading is the healthiest recorded since June 2007. The survey showed increases in bank borrowing to purchase farmland and equipment, and rising farmland prices. The December hiring index rose half a point, to 53.5. The home-sales index slipped in December, to 61.3 from November’s 62.0.

The index ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing “growth neutral.” It’s based on a survey of rural bankers in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The Page County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, says only minor, possible injuries were reported following two separate, weather-related accidents which occurred Tuesday night. An accident that happened at around 7:20-p.m. Tuesday, occurred when a 1996 Ford Escort driven by 42-year old Frank Hill of Easley, SC, began to slide to south as it traveled on Highway 2 just west of Clarinda. Hill over corrected, causing the car to swerve on the slush-covered surface into the westbound lane, where it hit a 1997 Buick LeSabre, nearly head-on. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage during the collision. Hill, and the driver of the Buick, 16-year old Noah Bix, of Coin, were transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Hospital. Hill was subsequently cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The second accident happened at around 9-p.m. Tuesday, about four-miles northwest of Clarinda. Officials say a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 24-year old Jack Donnelly, of Stanton, was traveling north on O Avenue just south of 170th Street, when the pickup went out of control. The vehicle left the road and crashed through a fence and into a field before traveling over a terrace and coming to rest. Donnelly was transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Hospital. His pickup sustained $5,000 damage. Damage to the fence, owned by Mike Barr, of Villisca, was estimated at $500. Donnelly was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Iowa Department of Transportation announced Thursday afternoon, the closure of Interstate 35 from U.S. 30 (Ames) to U.S.18 (Mason City/Clear Lake). The north- and southbound lanes in Iowa will be closed, as well as all entrance ramps to I-35. The closure is due to the hazardous travel conditions and number of crashes. Iowa’s interstate gate closure system is being activated and the I-35 mainline highway will be closed, as well as all entrance ramps to it between Ames and Mason City.

In Minnesota, the southbound I-35 closure will start at Albert Lea at the I-35/I-90 interchange. Northbound I-35 travelers will be required to exit at the Ames interchange and take U.S. 30 east- or westbound. U.S. 18 east- and westbound travelers intending to travel south on I-35 will need to seek shelter in Clear Lake or Mason City. Traveler services such as lodging, food and fuel are available in Albert Lea, Minn., and Ames, Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa.

Persons who were planning to travel north on Interstate 35 from Interstate 80 and are still en route, may want to consider seeking shelter in Des Moines or Ankeny. The interstate is expected to remain closed until conditions improve, which is likely to occur Friday morning. The Iowa DOT will announce when the road reopens to travel.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports Interstate 29 southbound at Hamburg has reopened to traffic. I-29 had been closed earlier today (Thursday), by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation from the I-29/I-229 (mile marker 56) junction in St. Joseph, Mo., to the Iowa state line.

The Iowa National Guard has activated approximately 80 Soldiers from across the state in support of winter storm operations. As a result of adverse traveling conditions across the state of Iowa, the Soldiers have been assigned to 10 Highway Assistance Teams (HATs) on Interstates 35, 80, and 380 in support of the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Among the activated Soldiers, are those from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry from Council Bluffs, and Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry in Council Bluffs.

It is anticipated that these Soldiers will remain on State Active Duty through Dec. 21.