Iowa manufacturers have a very positive outlook as the third quarter begins later this week. The latest Iowa Association of Business and Industry quarterly member survey shows 79 percent of respondents expect sales to expand in the next three months, compared with only 65 percent three months ago. Similarly, 75 percent of respondents plan to make capital expenditures in the third quarter, compared with only 65 percent in the second quarter. The biggest change was in workforce. The current survey shows 72 percent of businesses plan to increase the number of employees…that number was just 45 percent three months ago. We’ll hear more about the survey and what it means from Iowa Association of Business and Industry president Mike Ralston later this week on KXEL.
Crops benefited in those areas of Iowa that got rain last week. The weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows Iowa’s corn crop at 60 percent good to excellent. As for soybeans, 19 percent were blooming, which is six days ahead of the five-year average. Overall, soybean condition was rated 58 percent good to excellent.
Three people were taken to the hospital after a rollover accident in Black Hawk County. It happened just before 5 o’clock yesterday morning. A man was driving down 12th Street when he hit a dog that ran in front of his truck. That caused the driver to lose control of the truck, which rolled over. The driver and his two passengers received minor injuries from the incident and were taken to Unity Point-Allen Hospital.
Officials are investigating after the body of a man was pulled from a south-central Iowa lake over the weekend. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the body was found Sunday morning in Lake Ahquabi near Indianola. Officials say the body was found near the beach and a swimming area at the lake. The body was taken to the state medical examiner’s office in Ankeny for an autopsy. Officials say no foul play is suspected in the man’s death. It was the second body found in water in Polk County in two days.
A portion of the Iowa State University campus was cleared yesterday morning after a suspicious package was found near a campus residential area. The University said officers evacuated surrounding buildings and relocated students and staff to the community center. It was later determined the package was not a threat.
Two teens have been arrested, accused of trying to break into a truck. Cedar Rapids Police were called to the 6300 block of Windy Meadow Lane NE shortly after 1 o’clock early yesterday morning. When officers arrived, they saw a car driving without headlights. Officers tried to stop the car, but it tried to leave the scene by doing a U-turn on the dead end of Prairie Grass Court NE; it was blocked by another police officer. A 14-year old was driving the car and there were four additional juveniles in the car. The driver was charged with Driving While Barred, Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, No Headlights, and No Seat Belt. A 17-year old passenger was charged with Interference with Official Acts and Criminal Mischief-5th Degree. He provided a false identification to officers and then damaged an interview room at the Police Station as officers were trying to contact a parent.
The City of Marion’s Building Services Division is reminding residents who were impacted by the flash flooding this past weekend to have their electrical wiring inspected by a professional. Experts note electrical wiring that has been submersed can develop corrosion and is at risk of starting fires. The city strongly recommends homeowners without a basic understanding of electrical wiring hire a qualified electrical contractor who will be responsible for pulling the permit and for the work being completed.
