The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins national and local partners in recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month. Approximately 60,000 Iowans were told by a doctor they had suffered a stroke in 2011, and while the death rate from stroke has been decreasing, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Iowa.

“The most recent data shows stroke causes 5 percent of all the deaths in Iowa – that’s about one stroke every six hours,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and acting quickly to get medical attention can save a life and limit disabilities.”

The signs of stroke are sudden and happen without warning. IDPH recommends you act F.A.S.T. if you or someone with you has the following symptoms:

• Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one part of the face droop? Does the person report sudden numbness in the face?
• Arms – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? This is also true of legs. One leg may suddenly become weak or numb, or the person is unable to walk.
• Speech – Ask the person to speak. Is their speech slurred? Are they unable to speak? Can they correctly repeat a simple sentence? Do they respond to questions with answers that don’t make sense?
• Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.
  

Additional signs of stroke include sudden confusion, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden dizziness or loss of balance, and sudden severe headache with no known cause. If possible, remember when the individual last appeared normal and when the first stroke symptoms appeared. This is very important in determining the best treatment options and if certain medications can be used.

The IDPH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention program has more information on stroke available at www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/hdsp_home.asp.

(Press Release)

A public hearing will take place during a regular meeting of the Walnut City Council, Thursday, with regard to an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget. Following the hearing and discussion, the Council will vote on adopting a Resolution calling for a budget amendment. They’ll also vote on a Resolution on the issuance of $1.06-million in General Obligation (G.O.) Refunding Bonds, Series 2013, and the providing of a Debit Service Levy to pay for the bonds.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will discuss: a possible Streetscape Enhancement Project, and the Optimist’ Antique City Car Show. They will also review and update the City’s Infrastructure Needs Study and Strategic Plan.

The Walnut City Council meeting begins at 5-p.m., Thursday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Education will establish a task force to review whether to adopt new science standards for students.  Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the creation of the task force today (Wednesday). The group will review the Next Generation Science Standards, science learning goals for K-12 students developed in a multi-state process.  The task force will make a recommendation on whether those standards should be part of the Iowa Core curriculum.

Iowa was one of 26 states that worked to develop the science standards. The goal was to set standards that help prepare students for college or the workforce. The standards were released in April.