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ages were reported throughout the Black Hills.
• Numerous trucks and sport utility vehicles were blown off roads. State Transportation officials reported four semitrailers blown on their sides on Interstate 90 near Belvidere. A flipped semitrailer also shut down a portion of U.S. Highway 14 near Pierre.
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• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- An index of economic conditions in 10 Midwest and Western states jumped this month after three months of drought-induced doldrums.
• The Rural Mainstreet survey of rural bankers rose to 56.6 for October from 48.3 in September. It was the first time since June that the index rose above growth neutral 50.
• Survey organizers say any score above 50 on the 100-point scale suggests the economy will grow in the months ahead.
• Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the effects of the drought are being more than offset by high incomes from high agriculture and energy prices.
• The survey covers Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has issued an executive order allowing trucks to haul over-width loads of baled hay for another 60 days to help drought-stricken farmers and ranchers.
• A trucker with a permit can move a load of baled livestock feed up to 12 feet wide or 15 feet high for two hours after sunset and two hours before sunrise. Those over-width hay loads will be allowed until the drought emergency ends, but no later than Dec. 21.
• Over-width vehicles must have flashing or rotating white or amber warning lights on each side. Warning lights must be clearly visible to motorists approaching from the front or rear.
• The normal size restriction for loads on South Dakota highways is 14 feet 3 inches high and 8 feet 6 inches wide.
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