TUESDAY, DEC. 12, 2017  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Casey's General Stores saw its earnings fall in its second quarter as customers bought fewer prepared food items and its expenses grew on the way to opening its 2,000th store.
 
The Ankeny-based convenience store chain reported diluted earnings of $1.28 per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to $1.44 a share in the same quarter a year ago.
 
Total revenues increased more than 12 percent over last quarter, to $2.15 billion, while total operating expenses rose 9.4 percent, to $322.9 million, reflecting increases in employee-related costs from operating more stores and growth programs in more stores.
 
Same-store prepared food and fountain sales were up 2.1 percent in the quarter, falling below the company's 2018 guidance of 4-6 percent, although the company noted same-store sales in the category were up almost 3 percent for the first six months of FY18. President and CEO Terry Handley blamed "softer traffic in the back half of the quarter" for the category weakness.
 
Same-store grocery and merchandise sales were up 2.5 percent in the quarter, while fuel sales were up 1.9 percent, with an average margin of 19.7 cents per gallon. Total gallons in the quarter were up 5.7 percent, while gross profits in the category increased 11.7 percent, thanks to margins at the top end of the company's guidance.
 
Casey's also passed the 2,000 store milestone during the quarter, and now has 200 new-store sites either under agreement or under construction, including its first store in the state of Michigan, Mr. Handley said in a press release.

High-end furniture and home accessories retailer Ethan Allen is planning a move into Coralville's Iowa River Landing development next year.
 
The new showroom will occupy 8,900 square feet of the new Watts Group mixed-use building that is set to break ground directly to the north of Scratch Cupcakery within the next month. The store is expected to open in January 2019.
 
Founded in 1932, Ethan Allen is known for providing "livable luxury." Offerings include wood furniture, artwork, lighting, window coverings and more. The company designs and builds most of what it sells.
 
"We are very excited to add Ethan Allen to the retail experience of the Iowa River Landing," IRL Director of Leasing Deanna Trumbull said in a statement. "They will complement Von Maur, Diamond Leaf Jewelers, J.Jill and lululemon as the area continues to become a premier destination for shoppers both in the region and beyond."
 
The store will be Ethan Allen's fourth in Iowa and its second in the Corridor. The company currently has a showroom located on Twixt Town Road in Cedar Rapids. 
Story4This week's CBJ: IWLC engaging male allies for 2018  
 
Authors Drs. Brad Johnson and David Smith speak during the inaugural men's track at IWLC's Eastern Iowa conference in 2016. PHOTO IWLC
The leaders at Iowa Women Lead Change weren't necessarily looking to address issues of sexual harassment when preparing for 2018, but that conversation seems inevitable now.
 
The Cedar Rapids-based women's development organization unveiled the theme, "Iowa Women [and Men] Lead Change," in mid-November, a little more than a month after accusations of sexual harassment and assault against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein set off a cascade of other charges against high-profile men. 
 
The tag line is intended to focus the organization's year ahead on the importance of engaging "male allies" and making them part of advancing women leaders, said IWLC CEO Tiffany O'Donnell, but it is becoming "clouded" by the nation's struggle over questions of power and abuse.
 
Many men have begun questioning their own actions and behaviors in the workplace, but others have simply retreated inward, hoping to avoid any trouble as the #MeToo Movement - recently named Time's "Person of the Year" - gathers steam.
 
Ms. O'Donnell hopes the organization's theme and approach can convince men that it's safe to engage on these issues, and that they are, in fact, needed for women to move forward in the workplace.
 
"There are men, because of all the color around the conversation right now, that are just shutting the door out of fear," she said in an interview with the CBJ. "We're not interested in addressing sexual harassment - we're interested in how we share best practices for being a male ally. What does being a good mentor look like? What does being a good sponsor look like?"
 
"I believe if that happens, the other stuff goes away," she added.
 
Read the full members-first story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ.
Story3New I-80 semi parking system to launch in January 
 
A new, eight-state initiative that includes new infrastructure and smart technology is working to help truck drivers make safer, more timely parking decisions along the Interstate 80 corridor.
 
The new truck parking information management system will provide drivers with real-time, in-cab information on truck parking availability at public rest areas and private truck stops along I-80 in Iowa. Iowa's system is expected to be fully operational by Jan. 4.
 
"Having this system in place will help truck drivers better manage their hours of service and provide a safer, more efficient travel experience for motorists along I-80," said Phil Mescher, an Iowa DOT transportation planner, in a press release. "Availability and awareness of available truck parking is an ongoing national highway safety concern, which our system will address head-on."
 
Iowa's truck parking information management system will collect truck parking availability data using in-pavement and entrance/exit ramp sensors. Parking information will be available through Iowa's 511 Traveler Information System, as well as made available as a data feed that can be used in existing and future in-cab routing systems and a hands-free Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-compliant mobile app.
 
This initiative is part of a larger Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials' effort being funded in part through a $25 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant awarded to eight partnering states: Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. While each state is responsible for implementing its own truck parking information management system, the states' systems will eventually interconnect into a regional system.
 
For additional information, contact Phil Mescher at (515) 239-1629 or phil.mescher@iowadot.us.
Story5Johnson County comprehensive plan survey closes Friday
   
Johnson County residents and other interested parties are asked to comment on the six chapters and appendices that make up the draft Johnson County Comprehensive Plan this week before a public survey closes.
 
The proposed 10-year plan governing everything land use, the economy, sustainability, infrastructure and public amenities has drawn pushback from certain constituencies since the process began in late 2016. Regional developers previously spoke with the CBJ about their concern over proposed changes to the county's land use map, while an Oct. 9 listening post drew dozens of farmers and activists hoping to slow the spread of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.
 
Copies of the draft plan, labeled "Open House Draft" and dated 11/28/2017, are available online at www.jocoplan.com. In addition, a paper copy is available at the PDS Department (913 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City), and two copies are available at Stringtown Grocery, located at 2208 540th St. SW.
 
The survey will remain open until this Friday. Access the survey at https://tinyurl.com/jcplan2018 or at jocoplan.com or stop by the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department for a paper copy.
EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner
 
Dec. 13
1 Million Cups , by 1 Million Cups, 9-10 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, startup pitches and free coffee. Free. For more information, visit ow.ly/ugBr30dH83X .
 
Targeted Small Business Certification , by U.S. Small Business Administration, 11 a.m.-noon, online. Learn more about the state of Iowa's TSB Certification Program and how it can help grow your business. Free. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/2zA35gn.
 
Financing Options for Veterans , by U.S. Small Business Administration, 11 a.m.-noon, online. Learn more about SBA loan programs, including the Veteran's Advantage Program and the Targeted Small Business (TSB) Microloan Program, as part of this webinar. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2gHA5Qf.
 
Expert Edge Seminar Series: Business Videos Made Easy , by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., University of Iowa Research Park - BioVentures Center, 2500 Crosspark Road, Coralville. Learn tips for making better business videos. Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members (includes lunch). To register, visit bit.ly/2zBsgiU.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
A Liberty High School student is facing a drug charge after selling drugs to two students who were found unconscious on school grounds. The North Liberty Police Department says it were called to the high school on Nov. 30 for a report of a student who was unconscious during school hours. The 15-year-old student regained consciousness and was released to their parents. While there, a second 15-year-old was also found to be unconscious. Police called the paramedics, but the student also regained consciousness, and was also released to the custody of their parents. Both students admitted to police that they bought Xanax from another student. That minor was charged with a controlled substance violation. Liberty High Principal Scott Kelly says school officials are also evaluating the incident and possible discipline for the student.

A couple inches of snow in and near Dubuque caused close to 50 crashes on Monday. Dubuque Police tell CBS2/FOX28 that they responded to close to four dozens crashes in the city on Monday, while Dubuque County dispatchers estimate they took over 300 calls county-wide. At one point, the wait time for an officer response to a property damage crash was over a half an hour. One crash near Epworth required a Hazmat Unit after a semi overturned on Old Highway and started leaking ethanol. The driver of the semi was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. It is estimated that 1,500 gallons of ethanol leaked from the trailer and semi, which sustained an estimated $100,000 in damage.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

Colder air has settled in behind yesterday's clipper and it's going to be a raw day. There will be plenty of sunshine but temperatures will just climb into the mid to upper 20s this afternoon. It will be a bit breezy and that will make it feel like the teens throughout the day. Winds will relax later tonight and clouds will start to move back in. Another clipper will move through Eastern Iowa on Wednesday. Warmer air will nose in ahead of the system and send temperatures into the 30s and near 40. There is a slight chance for a wintry mix or some light snow, especially in the afternoon. Temperatures will cool back down on Thursday into the upper 20s.