When you are looking for health information online, how can you know if the information you find is credible and trustworthy? That’s the topic for the next session of Healthy U, which is scheduled for April 19th at Cass County Health System. Kathy Spurr, RN, Systems Analyst with CCHS, says “More and more people are looking online for information about health. It’s great that people are interested in their health and want to know more, but not all information out there is accurate or safe.”

Kathy worked as an RN for 15 years before transitioning to a role in the Information Systems department at CCHS. She has an extensive nursing background – she has worked in medical/surgical and intensive care inpatient units, the Emergency Department, and as a House Supervisor. That experience, coupled with her current position on the technology side of healthcare, gives Kathy the unique position of knowing why patients are looking for answers online, as well as how to find good, quality information.

Her presentation will include information about what healthy web surfing looks like, such as looking for sources, checking on who made the website, how current the information is, and more. She will also share information about avoiding internet scams. Healthy U is a free educational lunch series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as lunch is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has declined to confirm a doctor to the Iowa Board of Medicine because of an online comment she made about the LGBT community. The Des Moines Register reports that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointment of Katherine Asjes failed Wednesday. All 18 votes against the appointment were cast by Democrats. Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano says Asjes’ supportive comment on an online article in the Catholic World Report that criticized the LGBT community is concerning.

Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen says the comment raises concerns about whether Asjes would protect the health of all Iowa residents. Asjes says that while she expressed agreement with the author, her comment was made seeking additional information. The state Board of Medicine regulates physicians and surgeons, osteopathic physicians and licensed acupuncturists.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say deputies responded Wednesday evening to a residence in the 600 block of N. Highway Street in Oakland, for a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, 36-year old Lucas Roderick Erno, of Oakland, was arrested at around 7:20-p.m., for Domestic Assault with injury. The alleged victim, his 41-year old girlfriend, suffered apparent minor injuries during the incident. Erno was brought to the Pott. County Jail and booked-in.

Authorities looking for a missing northeast Iowa teenager with autism are moving the search in a new direction. Officials no longer plan to use volunteers in what’s been a massive effort to find 16-year-old Jake Wilson of La Porte City, who disappeared Saturday evening when he went for a walk near a creek just a few blocks from his home and didn’t return. Over the last four days, more than 2,100 volunteers have searched about 255 square miles of land in and around La Porte City, checking and re-checking woods and farms fields with no signs of Wilson.

Now, with Thursday (today) marking the fifth day since the teenager’s disappearance, authorities plan to move forward using the help of specialists who are trained to search waterways and other spots not easily accessible. About 30 local, state, and federal investigators are actively working the case.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Glenwood report this (Thursday) morning, 35-year old Misty Petterson, of Glenwood was arrested Wednesday, for possession of drug paraphernalia. Pettersen’s bond was set at $300 cash or surety.