Spring arrives this weekend and while the weather is still far from being springlike, soon, Iowans will be zipping around on their bicycles. A new survey finds many Iowans who enjoy pedaling their two-wheelers could use a refresher course in cycling laws. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the results were something of a surprise.

“We asked people how confident they were knowing the bike laws in their state,” Weinholzer says. “Apparently, only 61% of all Iowans feel comfortable that they know the bike laws in the state of Iowa.” Studies find that wearing a bicycle helmet can prevent 85-percent of all traumatic brain injuries in cycling accidents, but many Iowans don’t bother to buckle one on.

“There isn’t a helmet law, but we did ask them how often they wear a helmet,” Weinholzer says. “Only 58% of Iowans actually admitted to wearing a helmet some of the time.” Before pumping up the tires and heading out on the trail for the first time, she suggests cycling enthusiasts review the safety recommendations and familiarize themselves with the laws.

“The most important thing I would remind people, if they’re biking on roadways, you bike with traffic,” Weinholzer says. “Many times, people think they should be riding into traffic, but that typically has more to do with pedestrians. Make sure you obey all of the traffic safety laws that other vehicles need to obey. You’re not exempt. You still have to stop for stop signs and red lights and those sorts of things.”

For more tips on choosing a bike and helmet, as well as maintaining and riding a bike, download Bike Basics – The AAA Guide to a Great Ride here:

http://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/AAA-Bike-Basics.pdf

(Radio Iowa)

A traffic stop late Friday night in Montgomery County resulted in the arrest of a Villisca man on a charge of OWI/2nd offense. 29-year old Anthony Duane Pond was taken into custody just before midnight in the 300 block of E. High Street, in Villisca. Pond was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announces the filing period for state and federal candidates has come to a close. A total of 249 candidates submitted their nominating petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office. “I applaud all the candidates who have taken the bold step to enter the political arena,” Secretary Pate said. “Putting yourself out there to be vetted by your fellow citizens requires courage. Running for office is all about public service and I hope all Iowans will participate in the process to choose the best representatives possible.”

Four candidates have filed the necessary paperwork, qualifying to compete in June’s Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. Former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge of Albia, State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids and two former legislators who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010 are hoping to win their party’s 2016 nomination. The winner will challenge long-time Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley in November.

Republican and Democratic candidates for federal office as well as the state legislature faced a deadline Friday. They had to file enough petition signatures in the Secretary of State’s office to qualify for their party’s June Primary ballot. Three of Iowa’s four congressional districts will have primaries.

Republican Congressman Steve King faces a challenge from fellow Republican Rick Bertrand, a state senator from Sioux City. In the third congressional district, three central Iowa Democrats — Desmond Adams, Jim Mowrer and Mike Sherzan — are running in a primary. Two Democrats filed the paperwork to run in Iowa’s first congressional district.

The race between Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon and former Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque is a rematch from two years ago. Five Democrats competed in a primary then. Murphy won, but lost to Republican Rod Blum. Blum, Republican Congressman David Young of Van Meter and Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City, are all seeking reelection. Dr. Christopher Peters of Iowa City filed to run as a Republican in Loebsack’s district, but state officials say they’re waiting for him to submit the original rather than a copy of one form before confirming he has qualified for the ballot.

All 100 seats in the Iowa House and 25 of the 50 seats in the Iowa Senate are on the ballot in 2016. NO incumbent from either party in the Iowa Senate who is seeking reelection faces a primary challenge, but there are NINE incumbents in the House who must defeat a primary challenger in order to seek reelection in the fall.

The full list of candidates whose petitions have been received and accepted is available on the Secretary of State’s website at this link: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/candidates/primarycandidatelist.pdf.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A daily quiet time has been established at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Hospital officials say less noise provides a more professional atmosphere for staff members and easier rest for the more than 33,000 patients admitted each year. The initiative took effect Tuesday. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that quiet time runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — A former Dunkerton high school student is taking his case to the Iowa Supreme Court after he was convicted of carrying a gun onto school grounds. Justices will hear oral arguments in 20-year-old Mar’yo Lindsey Junior’s case on April 14th in Clinton.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A man and a teenager found guilty in connection to a drag racing crash that killed a couple in Davenport have been sentenced. The Quad-City Times reports that 37-year-old Timothy Bell and a 17-year-old were sentenced Friday. The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles charged with crimes.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Paul Jesperson banked in a half-court shot at the buzzer to give 11th seeded Northern Iowa a 75-72 win over Number 6 seed Texas Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region. Jesperson’s shot came in the same building where Golden State’s Stephen Curry hit a dramatic game-winner against the Oklahoma City Thunder last month.

A man from Montgomery County and a woman from Nebraska were arrested Friday afternoon in Red Oak, for Domestic Abuse Assault. Red Oak Police say 44-year old Darin David Dyke, of Red Oak, and 45-year old Angelica L. Janovich, of  Papillion, NE., were taken into custody at around 4:30-p.m. in the 1100 block of Division Street, in Red Oak. The pair were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond, pending an appearance before a Magistrate.