The economy continues improving in Iowa and eight other Midwest and Plains states, but business leaders are less optimistic than they had been…that’s according to the monthly Mid-American Business Conditions Index survey released yesterday. The overall index for the region suggests strong growth even though it dipped to 64.1 in December from November’s 69.0. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said the survey’s confidence index suggests business leaders are worried after the recent growth in virus cases across the region.
The Des Moines school district’s request to go all-virtual for schooling was filed on Dec. 28 and rejected two days later…the first to be rejected since August. Des Moines Superintendent Tom Ahart says the school board is concerned about the safety and well-being of its students and employees based on local virus conditions. Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo rejected the request, saying students engaged in remote learning are falling behind academically and that schools are not primary drivers of spread of the virus.
Police say two people suffered injuries during an early morning explosion at a home in Washington in southeast Iowa yesterday. All the residents of the home were evacuated. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire caused by the explosion, but the force of the explosion blew out windows in neighboring homes. The cause is under investigation.
Authorities are investigating the death of an 84-year-old man who was found in his home in Vinton Saturday morning. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said James Howard Bright was found after the sheriff’s department was called to check on him. Authorities did not release any details about the circumstances of Bright’s death, but they said it is being investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol. No arrests have been announced.
We now know the identity of a Cedar Rapids man who died at the hospital early Sunday morning after being shot. 21-year-old Jayson Lee Jones died shortly after arrival at Mercy Medical Center by a private vehicle around 2:15 early Sunday morning. Police say investigators have determined the shooting happened at a home in the 800 block of 11th Ave. SE. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call police.
A federal appeals court has upheld a prison sentence for a former youth basketball coach who used his position to sexually exploit more than 400 boys over 20 years. A panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Gregory Stephen’s argument that his 180-year sentence was excessive because he did not kill or physically injure his victims. The panel agreed with U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams “that the harm to the children was ‘incalculable and profound’ and radiated to their families.” Stephen amassed a digital collection of thousands of sexual images of his players and their friends. He also molested some boys during trips to basketball tournaments and professional games.
Linn County authorities responded to a two vehicle collision on Highway 13 north of Austin Road shortly before 8 yesterday morning. A southbound pickup operated by 46-year-old Terry Bond of Manchester failed to change lanes and struck an Iowa DOT snow plow maintenance truck that was clearing the right lane of the highway. Bond was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for what are believed to be serious injuries. The maintenance truck driver, Steven Deck of Marion, was also transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of possible injuries. Bond was not valid to drive and will be charged with causing the collision and failing to wear a seatbelt.
Sioux City police have identified the 18-year-old woman who died after several shots were fired into a home where a New Year’s party was being held. Police said Mia Alexis-Marie Kritis of Sioux City died after the shooting early Friday morning. Police said multiple guns were fired into the home during the shooting. Four other people were injured in the shooting, but police didn’t identify them because they are all juveniles. None of their injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Police said the investigation is ongoing, and the department encouraged witnesses to come forward.
