Fall arrives next week, a dangerous time of year as it’s much more likely Iowa motorists may collide with deer. A new study shows the odds Iowa drivers will hit a deer are rising. Ann Avery is spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance, which compiled the numbers. “Iowa is ranked third this year among the states in terms of your likelihood to have a collision with a deer, according to the State Farm information,” Avery says. “For perspective, Iowa was 4th last year.”

Iowa drivers are more than 13-percent more likely to collide with a deer than they were last year, according to the study. It says the odds drivers will hit a deer in Iowa are 1-in-68, compared to the national odds of 1-in-169. If you should emerge from hitting a deer unhurt, your car won’t likely be as lucky and neither will your savings account. “The national cost per claim average for a deer-vehicle collision is more than $4,100 and that’s up 6% from last year when the average was about $3,800,” Avery says. “So, it is expensive and we do want to help people not have that happen to them.”

Mostly due to mating and hunting seasons, the months a driver is most likely to collide with a deer in Iowa, are — in order — November, October and December. In 2013, there were 191 deaths reported nationwide as the result of collisions with animals, with deer being the animal most often struck, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Some tips to avoid deer include: use your high beams when possible at night, don’t rely on devices like deer whistles and should a deer jump into your path, don’t veer, as you could end up in the ditch or oncoming traffic.

“Keep in mind, deer generally travel in herds,” Avery says. “If you see one, others may be nearby. Be aware of posted ‘Deer Crossing’ signs. We see them often but they’re there for a reason. They’re placed there because those are active areas. Remember that deer are most active between dusk and dawn and the fall months are very active months for deer, which is when you can most reasonably expect this will happen.”

For the ninth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a collision is most likely with 1-in-44 odds. The rest of the top five are: Montana, Iowa, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Hawaii is last, also for the ninth year in a row, with 1-in-8,765 odds.

(Radio Iowa)

(update 11:50-a.m.: Phone system is functioning again)

Cass County Courthouse phone system is once again not not working. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman issued the notice of problems with the phone system at around 8:50-a.m.  The same system experienced problems early last week.

Notice will be sent when it has been repaired.

A man from northwest Iowa’s Ida County was seriously injured during a motorcycle crash Saturday evening, in Shelby County. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 60-year old Brent Lindgren, of Arthur, IA, was traveling south on Highway 59 at around 5-p.m., and in the process of passing a semi tractor-trailer, when the motorcycle Lindgren was driving went out of control. The cycle crossed the northbound lane of the highway and traveled onto the east shoulder before flipping end-over, ejecting Lindgren.

He was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan by Medivac Ambulance prior to being flown by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha for treatment of serious injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

An investigation into a sexual assault that allegedly occurred Sunday in Stuart, has resulted in the arrest of a man in Des Moines. According to the Stuart Police Department’s social media page, Officers from Stuart went to Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines Sunday night. to follow-up on an assault that allegedly took place earlier in the day, Sunday.

Corey Drake was subsequently arrested in the 3000 block of Garfield Street in Des Moines, on felony 1st Degree Kidnapping and 1st Degree Sexual Abuse charges. Drake was being held in the Adair County Jail pending an appearance before a magistrate.

No other details are currently available.

Police in Creston arrested a woman from Afton, Saturday morning. Officials say 40-year old Robbin Creveling was taken into custody at around 4:30-a.m. for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was later released from the Ringgold County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Also arrested early Saturday morning, was 22-year old Marshall Keate, of Creston. Keate was charged with Public Intoxication – 2nd offense. And, 20-year old Clinton Bird, of Creston, was arrested Friday morning for Public Intoxication. Both men were later released on bond.

Creston Police report also, 17-year old Kane Farlow, of Creston, was referred to Juvenile Authorities at the Creston Alternative School, Friday, on charges of Interference With Official Acts, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, and Probation Violation. Farlow was released to the custody of Juvenile Services.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees was named President of the Iowa Firefighters Association during the Association’s 137th Annual meeting that began last Wednesday and ended Sunday, in Story City. McNees is the 10th Atlantic Firemen to be honored as IFA President. His term runs through 2016. Mark McNees was elected Fire Chief in Atlantic, in 2007.

In addition to McNees’ accomplishment, Atlantic Fire Department personnel who attended the meeting helped to win two awards, including those for “Best Fire Prevention” and “Best Motor Vehicle 1961-70,” both of which were including in the Firemen’s Parade at Story City.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees

Nineteen of the department’s 38 members attended the 2015 convention. The Iowa Firefighters Association is dedicated to the improvement of Iowa’s Fire Service and protection of the general public through legislation, better training, minimum standards for apparatus and equipment, fire prevention, public relations and information.