Americans lose hundreds of dollars per year wasting time in traffic, and hitting the road can be especially taxing in certain states or actually quite efficient in a select few areas. Iowa is the best state to drive in this year, according to a new report by the personal-finance website WalletHub, and it’s followed by Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma and Alabama. The report analyzed 31 key indicators across four dimensions: cost of ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety, and access to vehicles and maintenance.

Driving in Iowa (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

• Overall rank for Iowa: 1^st
• 6^th – Share of Rush-Hour Traffic Congestion
• 17^th – Traffic Fatality Rate
• 9^th – Car Theft Rate
• 21^st – Auto-Repair Shops per Capita
• 9^th – Avg. Gas Prices
• 19^th – Auto-Maintenance Costs
• 10^th – Road Quality
• 13^th – Car Dealerships per Capita

“Iowa is the best state to drive in partly because the roads are mostly clear of congestion, even during rush hour. This is one area where being a rural state comes in handy,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. “Due to these good road conditions, Iowa drivers tend to have short commutes, at less than 20 minutes on average, and they benefit from some of the lowest gas and car insurance prices in the nation.”

Best and Worst States for Drivers

Each of the best states for drivers has its own strengths. For example, Georgia has the second-most gas stations and the ninth-most alternative fuel stations per capita. Kansas has lowered its traffic fatality rate significantly, and residents speed less often than people in many other states. Oklahoma has strict punishments for DUI and good-quality roads, and Alabama has low precipitation and lots of gas stations relative to its population.

“When people think about the costs associated with owning a vehicle, things like regular maintenance, insurance and gas typically come to mind. What many people don’t realize is that traffic congestion can also be extremely costly because of the amount of time it wastes, which is why the best states for driving tend to be sparsely populated,” said Happe. “Factors like safety and the quality of roads are key, too.”

You don’t need to move to a driver-friendly state to save, however. There are a few things that you can do to have a smoother and less expensive driving experience no matter where you are.

Tips for a Better Driving Experience:

• Stay focused and avoid distractions: Keep your attention on the road by avoiding distractions like talking on the phone, eating or adjusting your music while driving. Staying focused enhances your awareness and reaction time. If you’re visiting somewhere for sightseeing, consider taking a rideshare so you can enjoy the view without being distracted.
• Follow traffic rules: Follow the posted speed limit and obey traffic rules to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Respecting speed limits doesn’t just reduce the risk of accidents – it also improves fuel efficiency.
• Practice defensive driving: Anticipate potential hazards by maintaining a safe following distance from the car in front of you, staying aware of your surroundings, and being prepared for sudden changes in traffic. Defensive driving helps you respond to unexpected situations and avoid accidents.
• Maintain your vehicle: Regularly check and maintain your vehicle, including tire pressure, brakes, lights, and fluids. A well-maintained vehicle not only operates more efficiently but also reduces the likelihood of breakdowns.
• Adjust your commute times: Leaving just a little bit earlier or later to avoid rush-hour traffic can save you a lot of money and time, and help you arrive at your destination in a better mood.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to refuel: Get gas before your vehicle is close to empty – that way, you won’t have to stress about going out of your way to find a station in time. Before refueling, check gas prices at different stations in your area. Utilize apps or websites to find the most cost-effective options, helping you save on fuel costs over time.
• Practice fuel-efficient driving habits: Adopt fuel-efficient driving habits such as smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding unnecessary idling. This not only conserves fuel but also saves you money at the pump.

Full report: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-drive-in/43012/

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report two people from Creston were arrested Friday afternoon, on drug charges., Authorities say 40-year-old  Alicia Ellen Lovell and 42-year-old Kevin Lee Cottrell were arrested in the Creston Fareway Parking lot.

Both were charged on Union County Warrants with 22 drug related charges including: Maintain Drug House/Vehicle; gathering where controlled substances unlawfully used/marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used/methamphetamines; intent to manufacture/deliver meth over 5g under 5kg; intent to deliver marijuana under 50kg; 5 counts unlawful possession of prescription drugs; gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used/pills; 5 counts possession of controlled substance 3^rd offense/pills; 2 counts failure to affix a drug stamp – 10 or more dose units; Possession of a controlled substance – 3^rd offense/marijuana; and Possession of controlled substance – 3^rd offense/ meth.

Lovell was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $103,300 cash or surety bond.

Cottrell was additionally charged with OWI 1^st. He was being in the Adams County Jail on a $99,300 cash or surety bond.

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KCAU) — Firefighters faced subzero temperatures to battle several fires in Spirit Lake on Saturday. KCAU-TV says according to a press release from the Spirit Lake Community Fire Department, a structure fire was reported at 4:31 p.m. When crews arrived, they found multiple houses on fire with one house fully engulfed in flames. Authorities said the fire was from a free-flowing natural gas fire that was quickly spreading. Temperatures were down to -18 with high winds and no fire hydrants in the area. Additionally, the houses were near each other, on narrow roads, and snow and ice made combating the fires difficult.

Spirit Lake officials requested the assistance of firefighters from Arnolds Park, Milford, and Lake Park.

One house was destroyed, while another sustained an unspecified amount of damage. No one was in the houses at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Other departments that assisted in this case included Lakes Regional Hospital Ambulance, law enforcement, Dickinson County Emergency Management, and gas and power companies.

ANKENY, Iowa — (KCCI) A man is facing theft and robbery charges for allegedly trying to steal two cars from people who offered him rides Friday during the Iowa blizzard. KCCI reports 28-year-old Jermaine Shetworth Ware was arrested Friday morning following a chase with an Iowa State Patrol officer. Des Moines Police say Shetworth Ware allegedly assaulted a driver who offered him a ride and attempted to steal their vehicle.

“A motorist picked up a pedestrian who appeared to need assistance. Shortly into the drive, the passenger, 28-yr-old Jermaine Shetworth Ware, violently assaulted the 50-yr-old motorist and attempted to steal the car,” police said. He then flagged down another motorist on Interstate 35 and allegedly stole their car.

According to court documents, a state trooper saw the stolen vehicle on Interstate 35. After a short chase, the officer used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle and arrest Shetworth Ware.

Authorities are still investigating this incident. Shetworth Ware is currently in the Polk County Jail.

URBANDALE, Iowa — (KCCI) – Authorities are working to identify a man found dead outside a convenience store in Urbandale. Police were called Saturday to the 8700 block of Hickman Road, where the man’s body was found. Police say they are waiting on the medical examiner to determine the official cause of death, but suspect the extreme cold played a part.

(Norwalk, Iowa) – A residence near the central Iowa community of Norwalk was a total loss, following a fire Sunday morning. According to a news release from the Norwalk Fire Department, crews responded at around 10:19-a.m. to a reported structure fire at 6998 30th Avenue in rural Warren County. Enroute, units encountered severely drifted-over and nearly impassable roads. Firefighters saw smoke coming from the scene from more than one-mile away and immediately upgraded the assignment to a working fire – 1st alarm. Assistance was requested from mutual aid agencies. Firefighters from five area departments, along with emergency communications workers, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol, assisted in handling the incident.

Upon firefighters’ arrival, crews initiated an aggressive attack to bring the flames under control, but due to extreme weather conditions, equipment failures and a lack of fire hydrants in the rural area, the fire progressed rapidly. The temperature at the time of the call was -13 degrees, with winds out of the west at 15-20 mph creating a -37 degree wind chill. No injuries were reported to firefighters or civilians. Residents who were living in the home at the time of the blaze were receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, but authorities believe it began at or near a wood burning stove. The home was destroyed by the flames, with the loss estimated at $450,000.

(Radio Iowa) – Schools, churches, American Legion Posts — even a bank and an insurance agency are among the places where precinct meetings will be held for tonight’s (Monday’s) Iowa Caucuses. Republicans in more than two dozen Iowa counties, however, have made plans to have all precincts in the county meet at one location. Twenty-eight counties will have just one, so-called “super site” for Caucus Night.

Wapello County Republicans will be gathering at Ottumwa High School. Wapello County G-O-P chair Trudy Caviness says  “We have done this because when I started doing Caucuses, which is about 25 years ago, we only had about 700 people that attended,” Caviness says. “in 2016, we had about 1800 people.” Caviness says it could be difficult for some rural residents to make it to Ottumwa, but she says given the number of phone calls she’s fielding, the wind chill may not dampen turnout. “I’ve heard from a lot of people who have never Caucused before and they’re excited about it,” Caviness says. “They want to know the procedures and what happens and so I think we’re going to have pretty robust turnout.”

Denny Werkmeister is O’Brien County G-O-P chairman and Republicans in his county will be meeting at the Harley-Melvin-Sanborn High School. “It makes reporting (results) easier if we’re all at one location. We also get a better handle, I think, on the number of people who are attending,” he says. “Just logistics wise, it’s a benefit.” What is his guess on turnout? “That’s a good question,” Werkmeister said, with a laugh. “I think with the presidential race and some of the issues that are going on, I think the turn-out will be good.”

Plans for these “super sites” were made long ago — well before anyone knew what tonight’s (Monday’s) weather was going to be like. Most of the 28 counties that opted to have one meeting place for all precincts in the county reserved space at a school or community college, but Adams County Republicans will be meeting at the Opera House in Corning.

Here’s the list of counties where all precincts will meet in one location in the county: Adams, Adair, Calhoun, Clay, Crawford, Davis, Delaware, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Humboldt, Ida, Lucas, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Wapello, Wayne, Webster, Worth, Wright.)

Cass County (IA) Democrats will caucus tonight at 7-p.m. with check-in at 6:30. The location is 102 Chestnut Street. Registered Democrats and those who will be 18 by Nov. 5, 2024 can participate in the caucus.

(Radio Iowa) – The first event of the 2024 presidential campaign is nearly here. The Iowa Caucuses begin tonight (Monday) at seven and the candidates spent the closing hours of the campaign dealing with blizzard conditions and bitter cold as they made their final pitches.

After cancelling in-person events on Saturday, former President Donald Trump hosted a rally in Indianola Sunday and brought some guests on stage, including Doug Burgum, the North Dakota governor who dropped out of the race this fall. “I’m here to do something that none of the other presidential primary candidates have done and that’s to endorse Donald J. Trump for president of the United States of America,” Burgum said, to cheers. Burgum praised Trump’s record as president and closed with a message to Iowa Caucus goers.

“You have an opportunity to send a message to the nation,” Burgum said, “and send a message to the world.” Trump cautioned his supporters not to be complacent. “So brave the weather and go out and save America,” Trump said, “because that’s what you’re doing.” Trump, though, noted the Caucuses will be indoors. “You’ve got to get out. You can’t sit home. If you’re sick as a dog…even if you vote and then pass away, it’s worth it,” and the crowd laughed and clapped.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley campaigned in Ames and Adel, but cancelled an in-person event in Dubuque, then held a telephone town hall with people who had registered to attend. “Iowa sets the tone for where the country goes when it comes to these elections,” Haley said. “There are no foregone conclusions, but we really have an opportunity to really get our country back.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke with Radio Iowa just before a Sunday night campaign rally in Ankeny. “This weekend’s been off the chart. We’re having people show up in this sub-freezing temperature,” DeSantis said. “I’ve got people knocking on doors in the snow.” The Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” released this weekend showed Trump with a 28 point lead over Nikki Haley, who was in second place. DeSantis slipped to third in the Register’s Iowa Poll, with 16 percent, but among the top three candidates, a greater share of DeSantis supporters said they definitely plan to attend a Caucus tonight.

Laura Dolehide is a DeSantis supporter who saw the candidate in person on Sunday in Dubuque. “I don’t pay attention to polls,” she said. “I think Iowa takes these caucuses very seriously and I think the weather is not going to hold people back.” The Iowa Poll found Haley with 20 percent support among likely Iowa Caucus-goers. Linda Ratka (RAT-kuh) of Dyersville, who intends to Caucus for Haley, is encouraged.  “She’s moving up, all the time,” Ratka says.

Registration for the Caucuses starts at 6 p.m., then the Caucuses will begin at seven.