(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa study finds package delivery companies would save bundles of time and money if their delivery truck drivers spent more time on foot and less time looking for parking spots. Ann Campbell, a U-I professor of business analytics, says she and her team have been researching ways delivery routes could be optimized, especially in urban settings. “The current mode is a lot of park one spot, walk to just the one address, go back to the vehicle and drive again, or go just maybe next door before driving again,” Campbell says, “where this would recommend walking to more, because the speed of walking is fast enough that it makes up for the time it takes to park when you’re in a very busy, congested environment.”

In many smaller Iowa towns, parking isn’t a big deal for delivery vehicles, but Campbell says parking is a premium even in Iowa City, which isn’t a metropolis. “But have you tried parking from eight to five or on a football weekend?” Campbell says. “A truck is a large size vehicle and often doesn’t work for regular spots. There’s only a few spots to park in and finding a place that is legal and safe is quite a challenge.” The study found delivery times could be cut by about 50-percent if companies designed routes built around walking, allowing drivers to make twice as many deliveries each day. Technology continues to emerge that promises to speed up deliveries, too, like having flying drones deliver packages, though Campbell says drones have drawbacks.

“They’ve been proven to not be the greatest technology in all kinds of weather,” she says. “They tend to work better when it’s dry, not raining and snowing, because that’s kind of not-so-great on the flying power of the drone. We’ve learned that they work better in certain conditions than others.” In recent years, at least one national chain has touted the development of heated, rolling robots that can cruise a hot pepperoni pizza right to your door. “The robots do exist in certain places to deliver your pizza, but it needs to be very smooth sidewalks,” Campbell says. “They can’t really handle construction and lots of pedestrians and crossing highly trafficked roads. So where you tend to see robots a lot is on college campuses.”‘ Those haven’t made it to Iowa City, at least not yet.

The paper Campbell co-authored was published in the journal Transportation and Logistics Review.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Sunday morning, arrested a woman on a felony drug charge. Authorities say 35-year-old Sara Ann Kier, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 8-a.m. Sunday, in the 1000 block of N. 6th Street. She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense – a Class D Felony.

Kier was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

GREENFIELD, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The Greenfield hospital has announced their updated grand reopening date and will open their doors in a few weeks. The hospital was due to open on October 20th, but the date had to be pushed back due to construction issues. The Adair County Health System (ACHS) announced that doors will reopen on November 11, 2024.

ACHS officials also updated the public on some unanswered questions. The ambulance garage and EMS house, which were destroyed in the storm, will be reconstructed. Physical therapy services will remain available at the Adair County Fitness Center.

In a statement released by the ACHS they thanked people for their patience and ensure that the delays were put in place to make sure the facility is safe and well equipped.

“Our community means everything to us, we understand that the delays and changes in dates can be frustrating. However, we want to ensure that when we welcome everyone back, it’s in a space that truly reflects our commitment to quality and service. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time, and we look forward to celebrating together soon.”

Catherine Hillestad, CEO of ACHS

(Radio Iowa) – The Speaker of the U-S House made a quick trip to Iowa to rally with two Iowa Republicans seeking re-election. Speaker Mike Johnson says he’s been to Iowa multiple times because the races in Iowa’s first and third congressional districts could decide whether Republicans retain majority control of the U-S House. “These races are very close,” Johnson says, “so when I tell you every vote counts — in Iowa, we mean every vote counts.”

Johnson campaigned in Indianola with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and noted she won her first race in 2020 by just six votes. Johnson spoke to a crowd in West Des Moines about Congressman Zach Nunn, who won his first race in 2022 by about two-thousand votes.  “This is my bird’s eye view having been in all these districts around the country and I go to swing districts and toss up districts in blue states and red states, of course — everywhere that there are candidates who are in tight races,” Johnson said. “This is one of the very tightest in the country, but I am very optimistic.”

Lanon Baccam, the Democrat running against Nunn, got campaign support from neighboring states this weekend. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Baccam for an event in Des Moines on Friday. On Saturday, former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander — president of a non-profit that builds houses for veterans — spoke to a group of campaign volunteers in Johnston on Saturday morning.

“The reason that you’re here doing this is you’re trying to make it so that your kids and your grandkids are more likely to make their home in the place where you’ve made your home,” Kander said, “so I’m just here to say, ‘Thank you for doing that. I really appreciate it. Go get ’em.'”

Christina Bohannan, the Democrat running in Iowa’s first congressional district, met with campaign volunteers in Scott County on Saturday and joined teams going door-to-door to speak with voters.

(Iowa News Service) – State data show more Iowans with disabilities are employed. And advocates with the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council point out that – during this National Disability Employment Awareness Month – the increase is positive, but barriers remain. The latest numbers show almost 91-thousand Iowans with disabilities are employed – half of them at least part-time. Kristine Graves is one of them. She answers the phones at the Iowa Warm Line – a service for people who need someone to talk with but are not facing an immediate mental health crisis. Graves says while being employed gives her purpose, there is a downside.

Alex Watters works at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. He says he’s had to turn down promotions and other opportunities to keep his income below the threshold that allows him to receive benefits as a quadriplegic. (Alex Watters/IDDC)

The newest state data show that six-percent of the Iowa labor force lives with some form of disability. Alex Watters, a quadriplegic and member of the city council in Sioux City, is also the alumni engagement director at Morningside University. Watters says the benefit eligibility issue keeps some qualified people out of the workforce. He has had to limit the amount of work he can accept, which he says affects his upward mobility.

The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal opportunity for public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and employment.

(Creston, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Union County today (Sunday) reported on an injury accident that took place Thursday afternoon (Oct. 17th). Authorities say 68-year-old James Robert Brown, of Corning, was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, following an investigation into an alleged, possibly intoxicated driver. The vehicle, a 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup was located at the intersection of McKinley and Adams Streets, in Creston and stopped by a Union County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Authorities say the driver (James Robert Brown) immediately opened the driver’s side door of the pickup and became sick. The report said Brown was very disoriented and confused. The deputy noticed the pickup appeared to have been in a recent collision with an unknown object.

Medics were called to the scene and transported Brown to the hospital. Upon further investigation, the accident scene was located at the Cromwell Cemetery, near the intersection of Monroe Avenue and 180th Street in Union County. The investigation determined the pickup went through the stop sign at the intersection and collided with a guard rail,  ditch and plastic fence, before hitting several gravestones in the cemetery.

Authorities say parts of the vehicle and front license plate were found at the scene. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $2,500. Damage to the Union County Secondary Roads guardrail was estimated at $2,500, while the City of Cromwell fence & gravestones sustained an estimated $5,000 damage, altogether. The report left open the possibility Brown experienced a medical issue that resulted in the crash.

No citations were reported.