Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) Foundation say they’ve begun their annual 2015 Fundraising Campaign. Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, said the focus of this year’s campaign is to raise funds for the purchase of a Central Monitoring System for the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s (CCMH) Obstetrics (OB) Department, which costs $100,000.

Central Monitors

Last year’s campaign enabled CCMH to purchase new fetal monitors, which need to be read at the patient’s bedside. Adding the Central Monitoring System will allow nurses and physicians to closely monitor multiple babies at the same time. Together, Marnin says the two systems utilize electronic fetal monitoring to create a powerful tool to monitor and protect infants.

Marnin says “Every hour a baby is born in the US with a serous birth injury.” Approximately half of these are preventable, and the information provided by high quality fetal monitoring during labor she says, is critical to prevention.

For more information or to make a gift, contact Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, at 712-243-7409, dmarnin@casshealth.org or via the CCHS website, www.casshealth.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa has one of the highest percentages in the nation of bridges that are in need of major repairs or upgrades, according to a new report. The analysis was done by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Its chief economist, Alison Black, said the group found that more than 20 percent of Iowa’s bridges, numbering more than 5,000, are structurally deficient.

“A bridge is classified as structurally deficient,” she said, “if one of the key structural elements – and usually that’s either the deck, the super-structure or the substructure – is rated in poor condition or worse.” Black said the challenge in Iowa is that, in addition to some of the more highly traveled bridges in urban areas, there is a large number of smaller, local bridges that are considered structurally deficient.

Black said the bridge problem in Iowa and nationwide could get even worse, since the latest extension of federal highway and transit funding through the Highway Trust Fund is set to expire on May 31, absent congressional action. “This is something that is an issue, funding both at the federal, state and local level,” she said. “It’s something that all levels of government need to address. But the uncertainly over the federal-aid situation is a big issue for state DOTs (departments of transportation) and local governments.”

Nationwide, according to the report, about 61,000 bridges are considered structurally compromised. Many of those are on Interstate highways, which carry the bulk of truck traffic and passenger vehicles. The report is online at slideshare.net.

(Iowa News Service)

Iowa ranks as the eighth worst state for hail damage in 2014, according to an insurance company survey. Ann Avery, spokeswoman for State Farm, says Iowa had more than 12-thousand-800 hail claims last year for home and auto policyholders. Avery says if you’re considering remodeling your home or building a new one, impact-resistant roofing may be a good option.

“This is a product that can be your first line of defense against hail damage,” Avery says. “These are shingles that are designed to withstand hail and perhaps reduce the risk of hail damage. It prolongs the life of your roof. That’s something to consider and ask about if you’re thinking about that.” If the weather forecast calls for the potential of hail, Avery says to take common sense precautions with your vehicle.

“Park your car in a garage or a carport,” Avery says. “Avoid parking under a tree where branches can fall on your vehicle. Also, good tree pruning can prevent a lot of the problems associated with a hail storm. Removing dead, diseased or damaged plant parts can reduce the possibility of future storm damage.”

Nationwide, hail claims cost State Farm more than two-point-four billion dollars in 2014. While Iowa was 8th on the list, Texas was the most expensive state for hail damage with more than 51-thousand claims. Rounding out the top five: Illinois, Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska.

(Radio Iowa)

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $1000 to the Atlantic Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Fund spokesperson Melanie Petty say the money is to help the PTO with their final phase of purchasing new computers for Washington School.

The mini IPads will be used for research, reading skills, Iowa core programs and 21st century programs. The fund also donated $5000 to the Atlantic Little League for a new playground the group is adding this spring.

Petty says “It is our hope that we will be able to continue to donate to worthy projects in the Atlantic area that meet our mission statement.” She said also, “The community support of our annual golf tournament makes this a reality every year. We look forward to another huge event this year on August 8th when we hold our 7th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament at Nishna Hills Golf Course.”

One person was arrested, and one non-injury accident was investigated Thursday, in Creston. Authorities say 25-year old Natasha Campbell, of Creston, was arrested at around 3:20-p.m. at 806 Laurel Street, and charged with Theft in the 4th Degree. Campbell was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

And, an accident that happened at around 11:40-a.m. at the intersection of South Elm and Highway 34 in Creston caused a total of $2,800, but no one was hurt. Officials say vehicle driven by 67-year old Jeannittie Todd, of Maloy, and 16-year old Brooke Hague, of Creston, collided as both drivers were traveling south on S. Elm Street.

When Todd stopped her 2007 Jeep at the intersection, Hague, who authorities say was following too closely, failed to stop her 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix in-time. Her car hit the left rear corner of the Jeep. No citations were issued.