As tens of thousands of Iowa children prepare to go back to school, a study finds one in four of them has a vision problem. Urbandale optometrist Dr. Beth Triebel says kids may not be up-front about having a problem with their sight so parents need to be watchful for warning signs. “A lot of times you’ll notice the kids squinting to see things,” Dr. Triebel says. “If they’re reading, they may turn their head funny, close an eye or rub their eyes a lot after reading. They may get very close to the reading material or move it really far away.”

A comprehensive eye exam is required in most Iowa schools before a child starts kindergarten with a follow-up a few grades later. Triebel says there are simple vision tests that can be performed on children as young as infants which can spot potential problems very early. “There’s a free program called InfantSEE that you can get your child in to get that very basic, preliminary exam to look for any red flags that could be a problem later,” Triebel says. “After that, I typically recommend an exam before kindergarten, between ages 3 and 5, and then after that, every couple of years is a good idea.”

Since 80-percent of all learning is visual, she says good vision is important in the classroom. A study finds 60-percent of students who are identified as “problem learners” have undetected vision problems. “There could be some underlying vision problems that could either be the cause of it or certainly add to that type of behavior,” Triebel says. “It’s very important that if your child is having trouble in school or having trouble learning, that you get a comprehensive eye exam and make sure everything is working right.”

Triebel offers a few suggestions for things parents can do to protect their child’s vision, including:
-provide a well-lit, comfortable area for reading and homework
-a child watching TV should sit 6 to 8 feet away from the television set
-children should take frequent breaks to rest their eyes while reading, working on a computer or playing video games
-wear appropriate eye protection in activities where there is a risk of eye injury
-time away from school should allow for creative play time to help his or her vision develop properly.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Creston Police Department said two people were arrested Wednesday, and one incident of theft was reported. Taken into custody at around 1:30-p.m., was 30-year old Lacey Dalton, of Murray. Dalton was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation, with regard to an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance charge. Dalton was being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

38-year old Corey Mason, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday, on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. Mason was later released on $300 bond.

And, a man from Texas reported to Creston Police that someone had taken a wrist watch, necklace and silver hoop earrings from his room at the Super 8 Motel, in Creston. The theft happened sometime between 5:30-a.m. and 4:30-p.m., Wednesday. The loss was estimated at $500.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City Community School District says it is investigating a sexual harassment claim against a school board member. The Sioux City Journal reports a school district spokeswoman, Alison Benson, confirmed the investigation Wednesday.

Benson declined to identify which of the board’s seven members is being investigated or the nature of the alleged incident, stating the details are a part of a “confidential personnel matter.”