(Radio Iowa) – With the switch to Daylight Saving Time this weekend, some Iowans may be starting next week out sleepy from that lost hour of shut-eye. Triple-A Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says a new motor club study finds driving while drowsy can be dangerous, and even deadly. “This recent study is based on in-depth crash investigation and national fatal crash data,” Ortner says, “and it estimates that drowsy driving is a factor in roughly ten times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crash data may indicate right now.”

The study finds drowsy drivers were involved in 18-percent of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021, accounting for nearly 30-thousand deaths. Ortner suggests Iowans try to get a nap on Sunday afternoon to help catch up on their sleep before Monday morning, especially if they have a lengthy commute. “Some signs that you’re too drowsy to drive are probably the key indicators that maybe you shouldn’t get behind the wheel,” Ortner says, “if there’s frequent yawning or blinking, if you have trouble remembering the past few miles, you’re missing your exit, you’re drifting from your lane.” Whether you’re driving to work or taking the family on a road trip, Ortner says it’s vital that you stay alert or get off the road.

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“Drowsiness impairs drivers in a lot of different ways. It can reduce alertness, it can impair your judgment,” Ortner says. “It may cause those hazardous micro-sleeps, and I think we’ve all had those where you catch yourself nodding and wake up, and then self-perception of drowsiness. A lot of drivers underestimate their own drowsiness and they’re putting themselves and others are at risk.” He says sleep deprivation increases a driver’s risk of making mistakes that can lead to crashes.

The Triple-A study finds those deprived of sleep by four or more hours have an impairment similar to those who are over the legal blood-alcohol limit.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand has released an agreed-upon procedures report on the City of Charter Oak, Iowa, for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The agreed-upon procedures engagement was performed pursuant to Chapter 11.6 of the Code of Iowa.

Sand reported fourteen findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 7 through 10 of this report. The findings address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties, the lack of utility reconciliations, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts, the lack of a credit card policy, petty cash funds not maintained on an imprest basis and record retention for accounting transactions when there is a change in software applications. Sand provided the City with recommendations to address each of the findings.

The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the agreed-upon procedures report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Audit Reports – Auditor of State.

(Shelby, Iowa) –  The Iowa Department of Transportation reports (511ia.org) Interstate 80 westbound, between Exit 34: County Road M16 and Exit 29: County Road L66 (near Shelby) is partially blocked (as of the latest information). The blockage is due to a crash in that area. (Photos of the scene are courtesy of Zach Ploen)

The left lane of I-80 eastbound, between Exit 46: County Road M47 and Exit 51: County Road M56 (3 miles east of the Walnut area), is blocked due to a crash.

Photo submitted

And, I-80 westbound between Exit 46: County Road M47 and Exit 40: US 59 (1 mile west of the Walnut area), is the scene of another accident. No blockage was reported.

• Domestic Abuse Assault (Impeding Air/Blood Flow Causing Bodily Injury) – (Class ‘D’ Felony)
• Sexual Abuse- 3rd Degree-  (Class ‘C’ Felony)
• Obstruction of Emergency Communications (Simple Misdemeanor)

Wentz’ cash-only bond was set at $15,300.

Corey James Wentz

*Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A bill making its way through the Iowa House could limit the amount of THC allowed in products sold across the state. HF 2605 includes a number of regulations of hemp and hemp products. The original version of the bill would let the Department of Health and Human Services determine the limit on the amount of THC per serving and per container.

But an amendment filed Tuesday by Rep. Steven Holt, of Denison, would allow Iowa lawmakers to put a specific limit in code. Holt is proposing a limit of 2 milligrams of THC per serving and 10 milligrams per container.  Holt says the bill is needed. He argues the hemp industry is getting out of hand.

The bill has been up for debate multiple times on the House floor. But it has been pulled from the debate list. Holt said the reason why they haven’t debated the bill yet is because he and his colleagues are still deciding how they want to set the limit. For business owners like Ashley Powell, the bill is a nightmare. The owner of CBD American Shaman said the majority of her sales come from THC products.

But with the potential limits that could be imposed, she said she wouldn’t be allowed to sell the majority of her products. Powell said unless the amount is over 15 milligrams per serving, her business will not survive. Holt said even 10 milligrams per serving is too much.

It is unclear when the House will debate the bill.

MASON CITY, Iowa – March 8, 2024 –Repairs are underway on the existing Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 2 Office. The bridge was closed on Feb. 25, 2024, after it was discovered that two of the bridge piers shifted, making the bridge unsafe for traffic. During the repair process, portions of the bridge deck will be removed, leaving large gaps in the bridge surface. The bridge is not safe for pedestrian use and will be closed to all traffic during repairs.

The bridge will not reopen until it is safe for public use. The repairs are expected to be complete by late April. Construction continues on the new bridge adjacent to the existing bridge. Project completion is anticipated in 2026.

For more information go to the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing website or Facebook page.

CRESTON, Iowa – March 8, 2024 – If you travel on eastbound Interstate 80 near Van Meter you should be aware of upcoming ramp closure that may slow down your trip. Crews need to close the eastbound I-80 ramp (exit 113) near Van Meter so new grading and pavement work can be completed. The exit ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, March 18 until July 1, weather permitting.

While the exit ramp is closed you will follow a marked detour route by traveling on eastbound I-80 to the next exit at Dallas County Road R-22 (exit 117), and then travel west on I-80 where you exit at Dallas County Road R-16 (exit 113) near Van Meter.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.