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NW Iowa high school football team testing iPad app for assessing concussions

Sports

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A small school in northwest Iowa will be the first in the state to test an iPad application to assess concussions. Doctor Jay Alberts, with the Cleveland Clinic, helped develop the app called “C3.” He’ll be doing baseline testing this (Wednesday) morning on the roughly 100 players on the Boyden-Hull Rock Valley football team. Alberts says the iPad app is designed to diagnose concussions in a quantifiable, objective way. “You know, it doesn’t matter how you score a touchdown, a touchdown is always worth six points. That’s really what we’re trying to get at here. We’re trying to develop metrics and use the electronics within the iPad to remove the subjectivity from the assessment of these athletes,” Alberts says.

Data collected by the C3 app will be used to help officials determine when a player who suffers a concussion is ready to return to school and the football field. One of the features of the app is it tests balance by strapping the iPad to a athlete’s back. “We use the accelerometer and the gyroscope that are built into the iPad,” Alberts explains. “With that data, we can test balance and give them a very objective way to assess balance, rather than using the standard approach, which is ‘well, I think his balance is a little off.’ How do we know it wasn’t off before he was injured?”

In addition to balance, the app measures four other areas. Alberts says rather than relying solely on the subjective grading of a trainer, coaches can use the app to make sure an athlete is fully healed. “I think if we can remove the subjectivity from the assessment and improve the integrity of the assessment, we can keep our athletes safer and get them back, first, in the classroom faster and then on the playing field faster and safer,” Alberts says. Alberts is a native of Sanborn in northwest Iowa. He partnered with the Boyden-Hull Rock Valley football squad because the son of one of his lifelong friends is on the team. Alberts believes the C3 app will “level the playing field” by allowing anyone, anywhere to access state-of-the-art diagnostic tools — even in rural areas like Rock Valley.

“There’s a fundamental challenge in the translation of advances in health care to rural areas and I think this is where the iPad and other systems…come into play and have a real opportunity here,” Alberts says. C3 is already being used by the Cleveland Clinic to monitor more than 6,000 athletes in 56 high schools in northeast Ohio, along with several colleges in Ohio.

(Radio Iowa)

Panel lets proposed “telemedicine” abortion ban proceed

News

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A legislative committee’s tie vote on Tuesday means rules that would ban so-called “tele-med” abortions in Iowa can move forward. The Board of Medicine has proposed rules that would no longer allow doctors in Iowa to dispense abortion-inducing pills via a video-conferencing system. Dr. Robert Shaw is chairman of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s board of directors. Shaw says the Board of Medicine reviewed the practice in 2010 and decided it could continue, but since then Republican Governor Terry Branstad has replaced all 10 members of the board. “This is a terrifying example of politics dictating health care,” Shaw says. Kelly Larsen, a nurse who works at a clinic that encourages women with unplanned pregnancies to consider options other than abortion, is among those who signed a petition asking the Board of Medicine to take the action.

“I believe that this proposed rule is a necessity due to the risks that are imposed to the women if any side-effects were to happen,” Larsen says. Larsen says she’s fielded “multiple calls from multiple women” suffering side-effects after having a medication abortion. Shaw — the leader of the Planned Parenthood of the Heartland board of directors — counters that none of the more than three-thousand women who’ve had medication abortions prescribed via video-link have filed complaints about the procedure.

“I cannot remain quiet about the medical inaccuracies being presented,” Shaw says. Sue Thayer was the manager of a Planned Parenthood center in Storm Lake when what she calls “web-cam” abortions were first introduced. “I had very serious concerns about that, the procedure,” Thayer says. “…I still have those same concerns today.” Erin Davison-Rippey, a policy analyst for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, suggests the Board of Medicine is going beyond its authority since bills that would have banned the practice were proposed in the legislature in 2011 and again in 2013, but never became law.

“The legislature has had some opportunities to weigh in on this and has not,” she says. Mary Purtle, an opponent of abortion, says she is “upset” by the concept of tele-med abortions. “It’s more of tele-death,” Purtle said. “…It’s taking the life of a healthy baby in a presumably healthy mother.” The legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee has the authority to delay the rule banning tele-med abortions, but a bid to do that failed on a tie vote Tuesday afternoon. The same arguments for and against the tele-med abortion ban will be made August 28th at a public hearing in Des Moines about the rule. After that, the Board of Medicine will again review the matter at one of its meetings and the rule could go into effect sometime around October 23rd, although legal action would likely follow to delay implementation.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Aug. 7th 2013

News

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lucky ticketholders who win jackpots such as the current $425 million Powerball pot aren’t the only ones who score big. The retailers who sell the tickets that win big money share in the customer’s good fortune. Casey’s General Store in Bondurant, Iowa, is known as the place that sold a $202.1 million Powerball jackpot ticket in September. Assistant Manager Debra Fetters says she’s asked, “Does lightning strike twice here?”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines police officer who was pinned by a truck last month has left a Minnesota hospital. Lt. Joe Gonzalez has left the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He is resting with family at an undisclosed location.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — The second trial for a southeast Iowa man charged with killing his pregnant wife has been postponed. The re-trial for Seth Techel was to begin Monday but has been delayed indefinitely due to a medical problem. Techel is charged with murder and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy in connection with the death of his wife, Lisa Techel, and their unborn child. She was shot in May 2012 at their home near Agency. The first jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man captured by police after a dangerous pursuit has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 30-year-old northern Iowa woman. Thirty-nine-year-old Tyrone Washington Jr. has been charged in Monday’s death of Justina Marie Smith of Northwood.

Storm Wind & Hail reports (early Wed. morning 8/7/13)

Weather

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

1:16-a.m.  1.5″ diameter hail ( quarter to ping-pong ball-sized) and heavy rain 11 miles N/NE of Corning in Adams County (reported by the public).

12:47-a.m. 1″ diameter (1/4-sized) hail reported N/NE of Massena in Cass County. (observed by a trained storm spotter)

Severe Weather update: Adams/Ringgold/Union/Taylor Counties

Weather

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

UNION IA-TAYLOR IA-RINGGOLD IA-ADAMS IA-
145 AM CDT WED AUG 7 2013

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ADAMS...
NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD...NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR AND SOUTHWESTERN UNION
COUNTIES UNTIL 200 AM CDT...

AT 141 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES EAST OF
LENOX...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD...HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT...HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO
         ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CLEARFIELD...ARISPE...SHANNON CITY AND DIAGONAL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

Andre Reed giving Chiefs wide receiver new outlook

Sports

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – Longtime Bills wide receiver Andre Reed is trying to break into coaching.  Reed is helping out the Kansas City Chiefs during training camp as a volunteer intern, working with their young wide receivers in preparation for their first preseason game.

Reed says that he had his pick of where he wanted to go, but that Chiefs coach Andy Reid made it clear to him that he was wanted in Kansas City. Reed says that coaching has already been an eye-opening experience, particularly when it comes to the behind-the-scenes work.

He doesn’t know how long his internship will last, or whether it will turn into a full-time job, but he appreciates the chance to get a fresh perspective on the game.

Beltran powers Cardinals past Dodgers 5-1

Sports

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Carlos Beltran and Matt Adams homered in the eighth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 15-game road winning streak with a 5-1 victory on Tuesday night.  Joe Kelly pitched into the sixth inning, outperforming Clayton Kershaw and helping St. Louis to its fourth victory in the last six games. Tony Cruz added an RBI single.

The Dodgers’ road winning streak was a franchise record. Their previous loss away from Chavez Ravine was a 4-2 decision at San Francisco on July 6.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Adams/Ringgold/Taylor/Union Counties

Weather

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

114 AM CDT WED AUG 7 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
ADAMS COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA…
NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA…
NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA…
SOUTHWESTERN UNION COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA…

* UNTIL 200 AM CDT

* AT 110 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHEAST
OF CORNING…AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD…PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED. ONE AND A HALF INCH HAIL WAS REPORTED
AT 110 AM 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF CORNING.

IMPACT…PEOPLE AND ANIMALS OUTDOORS WILL BE INJURED. EXPECT HAIL
DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING…WINDOWS AND VEHICLES. EXPECT
WIND DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
CRESTON…LENOX…PRESCOTT…CROMWELL…KENT…CRESTON AIRPORT…
CLEARFIELD…ARISPE…SHANNON CITY AND DIAGONAL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Cass/Adair/Adams Counties

Weather

August 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

1243 AM CDT WED AUG 7 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN ADAIR COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA...
  ADAMS COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA...
  SOUTHEASTERN CASS COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA...

* UNTIL 115 AM CDT

* AT 1242 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 9 MILES NORTH OF
  CORNING...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

  HAZARD...QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

  SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.

  IMPACT...HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO
           ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CORNING...CARBON AND PRESCOTT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until Midnight for the KJAN listening area

Weather

August 6th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

THE SEVERE STORMS PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN, OK., AT 6:55-P.M, HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH #476, WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT.

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THE WATCH: ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CASS DALLAS FREMONT GUTHRIE HARRISON MADISON MILLS MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE RINGGOLD SHELBY TAYLOR UNION IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA.

PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE…

SEVERAL DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE. SEVERAL LARGE HAIL EVENTS TO 1.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER POSSIBLE. THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 45 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 10 MILES SOUTH OF COLUMBUS NEBRASKA TO 35 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF BURLINGTON IOWA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES.