An annual survey by State Farm Insurance on deer/vehicle crashes shows a mixed result for Iowa. State Farm spokesperson, Ann Avery, says they survey their claims and accident reports from federal officials to make an annual ranking of states where hitting a deer is most likely. “Iowa has moved up one spot to third this year,” Avery says. But the good news is the overall chance of hitting a deer in any state is down.

“We find that U-S deer/vehicle collisions have declined overall, and in Iowa the likelihood has declined as well, despite the fact that they have moved up one spot in the rankings,” Avery says. The likelihood of hitting a deer declined by nine-percent in Iowa. West Virginia topped the list of states where you are most likely to run into a deer for the seventh year in a row. Hawaii was again at the bottom of the rankings. Avery says they can’t say how the individual deer populations in each state impact the rankings — but does say efforts to let people know about the dangers of such collisions can help in any state reduce its collisions.

“We liked to think it’s due in part at least to the amount of attention that’s being drawn to this issue — because awareness is very important,” Avery says. “Especially in these coming months when the likelihood (of a collision) is at a peak.” She says avoiding collisions is important for safety reasons and it can also prevent costly repairs. “They average property-damage costs of these kinds of incidents during the final half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 was three-thousand-414 dollars — up three-point-three percent from the year before,” Avery explains. Avery has these tips for drivers to avoid hitting a deer.

“Deer generally travel in herds — so if you see one, there’s a strong possibility that others are nearby,” Avery says. She says be aware of the deer crossing signs as they indicate areas where the deer are known to roam. “And we also want you to remember that deer are most active between six and nine p-m.” State Farm estimates there were one-22-million deer collisions between July first of 2012 and June 30th of 2013, a three-point-five percent reduction compared to last year.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A judge will decide Tuesday whether to sanction former attorneys for Sholom Rubashkin for contacting jurors after the verdict that landed the former kosher slaughterhouse executive in prison. U.S. District Judge Linda Reade says the juror contacts were done without permission. One attorney says he believed Reade authorized the contacts when she told jurors they could speak with anyone or no one.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Mason City man wants his conviction and sentence thrown out in a fatal 2012 traffic accident. The Globe Gazette newspaper reports 34-year-old Jason Glenn Genzler has filed an application in district court seeking the post-conviction relief. Genzler claims his attorney didn’t properly investigate and defend him and that the victim may have contributed to his own death.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines officials are beginning the process of removing memorial decorations from gravesites in municipal cemeteries as part of a cleanup. The city’s Park and Recreation department will remove the decorations beginning Tuesday. They will be cleared by Oct. 18. The public will be able to place decorations again after the staff is done with clearing. They will be left in place until the spring cleanup in March.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines Register is moving its 150-pound globe, which was a fixture in the newspaper’s lobby since the 1950s, to the State Historical Museum in the city’s East Village. The Register reports a ceremony is planned Wednesday morning. After being temporarily stored in the museum’s basement, the globe will be installed in the building’s lobby later this year. The Register donated it after moving into new offices a few blocks from its old building.

One person was injured during a rollover accident Monday morning, in Page County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 27-year old Christy Dawn Gordon, of Essex, was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital by Essex Fire and Rescue, after the pickup she was a passenger in went out of control and rolled over and came to rest on its top. The woman  was wearing her seat belt during the accident, which happened at around 9:35-a.m. on Highway 48.

Officials say the 1998 Chevy pickup, driven by 33-year old Nathan Rick Gordon, of Essex, was traveling south on the highway and passed a slower moving, blue van. Christy Gordon said she told Nathan that the van was gaining on their pickup. He responded by reportedly having “tapped” the brakes on his truck and pulled the vehicle to the side, where it went out of control on the gravel shoulder.

The vehicle slid into the ditch and rolled. The blue van, meanwhile, continued past the crash without stopping. An investigation determined the pickup left 155-feet of skid marks on the road before it entered the shoulder and left the road. There was no contact made with the other vehicle.

Damage from the crash amounted to $3,500. No citations were issued.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Massena woman was arrested Friday as a result of an investigation into a report of stolen lottery tickets at the Massena C-Store. Deputies arrested 45-year old Lisa Ann Herrmann, of Massena, on a charge of Felony 1st Degree Theft. Herrmann was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on $10,000 bond.

On Saturday, deputies arrested 51-year old Robert James Williams, of Council Bluffs, on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear for Child Support Hearing. Williams was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $2,000 bond.

That same say, 25-year old Cody Lee William Lillard, of Carter Lake, was arrested in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear for Child Support Hearing. Lillard was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $500 bond.