Progress is being made in reducing the number of preterm births in Iowa, as the state earned a grade of “B” in this year’s report card from the March of Dimes. The report shows the national preterm birth rate is now at 11.4 percent. In Iowa, it’s a little lower at 11.1 percent, although Michelle Gogerty, state director of programs and advocacy with the state chapter of the March of Dimes says, “We have a long way to go. Our goal is for every baby to get a healthy start in life,” says Gogerty. “We won’t stop until we eliminate this problem and certainly, we’re striving for an “A” on the report card.”

Gogerty says the goal is to reduce the preterm birth rate to 9.6 percent or lower by 2020. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive often face the risk of serious and sometimes lifelong health issues. Gogerty notes they often also spend the first weeks or months of their lives hospitalized in intensive care.

“We have some babies that are March-of-Dimes families that have had medical bills over a million dollars,” says Gogerty. “So, it’s huge in comparison to a normal, healthy birth.” Often, the specific cause of premature birth isn’t clear, but factors that may increase the risk include smoking, some infections and chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

(Iowa News Service)

More than 12-hundred people representing most of Iowa’s 340-some school districts will be gathering in Des Moines today (Wednesday) for the Iowa Association of School Boards convention. Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will attend the convention Thursday, from 7:30-a.m. to 9-p.m.

Association spokeswoman Tracy Bainter says this 69th annual convention will center on how the internet and various computer advances have changed the modern classroom.Bainter says, “We’re going to be focusing on all of the changes in technology and the opportunities that unlocks for students, staff and education leaders like school board members.”

Bainter says technology continues to evolve and so does the way students learn.  “We’re looking at being able to connect with students in their homes,” Bainter says. “For their homework, they’re able to connect with schools all around the country. If they’re doing a report on European history, they can connect with a museum in Europe to learn first-hand from historians.”

One of the convention speakers is a “futurist” who will be talking about a re-imagining of the entire concept of school, while there will be a range of workshops during the three-day event.  “We’re going to have some on technology, we’re going to have some on school finance, which is always an important issue for school board members,” Bainter says. “We’ll have a few on legislative issues that are coming up. We’re going to talk with working with a variety of personalities and creating a cohesive team on a school board.”

The convention runs through Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Learn more at www.ia-sb.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Two Montgomery County men were arrested Tuesday, on drug charges. The Sheriff’s Department says 51-year old Scott Timothy Brown, of Grant, was arrested at around 9:20-p.m., when deputies followed-up on an incident at 108 Adams Street, in Grant. Brown was subsequently taken into custody for Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 cash bond.

And, at around 6:30-p.m. Tuesday, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 36-year old Damyn Carl Stacy, of Villisca, following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 34 and Eastern Avenue, in Red Oak. Stacy faces a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and later released on a citation.

A Red Oak man arrested Tuesday evening by Red Oak Police acting on an active warrant, faces additional charges. 24-year old Eric Alan Vannausdale, who is no stranger to local police, was taken into custody at 4:30-p.m. on a warrant for Operating a Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent.

While being placed under arrest, officers located marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Vannausdale’s possession. The man was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to Montgomery County Corrections and held on a total of $3,000 cash bond.