DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say a surge in construction projects and an increase in miles driven by motorists have led to a high number of people dying in road construction work zone crashes this year. The Des Moines Register reports that 10 people have died in work zone crashes this year, compared to 13 deaths last year. Department officials say speeding and distracted driving are contributing factors.

State officials say that the overall number of traffic fatalities across the state is declining. So far there have been 295 traffic fatalities this year, which is 55 fewer than the same time last year.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will spend $680 million on construction projects this year, compared to $695 million spent on road projects last year.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says cyber security is a “constant challenge” and it’s “vital” that his office get more state tax dollars in the next budgeting year. Pate says the I-Vote system that handles voter registration data needs attention. “That’s a system that was built over 15 years ago and obviously elections have changed dramatically since then,” Pate says. “It needs some serious upgrades if we’re going to go forward and we need to look at replacing that system in the coming years.”

Pate is asking the governor and legislators to provide his office with an additional one-point-75 MILLION dollars for the budgeting year that begins July 1st. He’d spend much of it on upgrades for the voter registration system. Earlier this year, lawmakers set aside more money to replace a different computer system in Pate’s office. It’s the one used by people filing out the online forms to start a new business. “A new fast track filing system that’s going to provide Iowa’s business community with service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Pate says. “Whether it’s three o’clock on a Friday afternoon or 3 am on Christmas morning, they’ll be able to access it and do business.”

That system should “go live” something this spring. Pate’s office handled the records for more than 20-thousand businesses that were launched in Iowa this past year. That’s an all-time high in new business filings. Pate says the number of Iowa businesses being dissolved is declining, too. The Iowa Secretary of State’s office has an elections division, but it also has a business division that handles documents for non-profits, corporations, partnerships that operate in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)

Two separate traffic stop early this (Saturday) morning in Fremont County resulted in three arrests. It also involved one accident. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 29 southbound, near mile marker 8. The Fremont County K9 Unit conducted a search, during which methamphetamine and marijuana were found. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Missouri. The license plates on the trailer being hauled by the stolen vehicle, had also reported stolen. 38-year old Joshua Lanning, of South Sioux City, NE, and 49-year old Jerry Lee Bossow, of Green Valley, MO.,  were arrested on numerous charges, to include the stolen property and drugs. Lanning’s bond was set at $6,000, while the bond for Bossow was set at $12,000. He was also being held on a Parole Violation warrant out of Missouri.

Not long after the previous incident was wrapped-up, Fremont County Deputies received word a vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-29. Deputies were able to intercept the vehicle north of te Hamburg exit, but as they tried to get it stopped, the vehicle continued southbound and struck a vehicle head-on. Minor injuries were reported from the accident. The driver of the wrong way vehicle, 23-year old Daniel Kauffman, of Thurman, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense, and numerous traffic citations.  His bond was set at $1,000. The incident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Two people were arrested and one was cited following separate traffic stops Friday night. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 150th and Quince Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, Camden McFadden, of Atlantic, was arrested at around 10:54-p.m., for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His cash bond was set at $1,300.

In Montgomery County, 33-year old Joseph Edward Halvorson, of Murray, was arrested at around 8:30-p.m. following a traffic stop in the 1800 block of Highway 34. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1,000. At the same time and place, 32-year old Cassidy Ryan Lamb, of Murray, was cited for Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol as a passenger.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An internal review shows that several Republican staff members in the Iowa Senate are unlikely to report sexual harassment or workplace misconduct because of fear of retaliation. A brief report was released Friday summarizing the in-house investigation that started this summer. The three-page report says senators made “sexually suggestive comments” or discussed “sexual preferences” on the chamber floor in recent years, though no details about the comments or who made them were included.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s former worker’s compensation commissioner plans to take his discrimination lawsuit to state court next year, alleging he was pressured by former Gov. Terry Branstad to resign because he’s gay. Chris Godfrey is seeking damages in one of the first cases attempting to hold the state financially liable for actions of state officials that infringed on an individual’s rights. Branstad has denied the allegations. The case is being closely watched by state agencies across Iowa.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A quirk in the mail delivery system is forcing some residents in rural northern Missouri to have Iowa mailing addresses, causing problems when they vote, pay taxes and even when they die. Sen. Claire McCaskill calls it “one of the dumbest things” she’s seen and is seeking help from the U.S. Postal Service. The agency says it’s working with the Missouri senator. Local officials have been asking for help for years. In one county, residents say accurate addresses are critical for 911 systems.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested an Iowa State football player accused of vandalism at a skate park in Ames. The Des Moines Register reports that cornerback Brian Peavy has been charged with criminal mischief. Court records don’t list an attorney for him. A team spokesman says he expects Peavy will play Saturday when the Cyclones take on Kansas State in Manhattan.