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Drake looks to keep on top of PFL

October 28, 2010 By

Drake hopes to stay in the hunt in the Pioneer Football League race at home on Saturday against the University of San Diego. The Bulldog defense came up big last week in a win over Davidson as they improved to 4-1 in the PFL.

Drake coach Chris Creighton says after seven games of not winning the turnover ratio they felt fortunate to be 3-1. He says they knew when they finally did win it, there would be an explosion. The got two defensive touchdowns against Davidson.

Creighton says San Diego is much better than it’s 3-5 overall mark. He says they are one of the best in the conference in terms of athleticism an speed.

Drake is the only team in the league without a field goal and that could become a major factor in close games. He says they are 100% on extra points, but have been “jinxed” up to this point. He says it will be like the turnovers, as soon as they hit one, it will likely be one that will win them a game.

Drake is 5-3 overall.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,

Iowa Lottery completes deal for new multi-million dollar computer system

October 28, 2010 By

The Iowa Lottery Board today finalized a 10-year, $50.3 million contract to upgrade the lottery’s computer system. Iowa Lottery spokesperson Mary Neubauer says the system will require new terminals to be installed at roughly 2,500 retail locations between March and July of next year.

“It’s the biggest contract involved in the operation of the lottery because it takes a lot of expertise and security measures to have a lottery in place and to provide the security perimeters that you have to have for lottery games,” Neubauer said.

The contract was awarded to Georgia based Scientific Games, Incorporated. The system will replace the current computer gear installed in 2001. Neubauer says it’ll result in improved service for both retailers and players – although players may not notice much more than a different look and feel to lottery tickets.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government, Recreation & Entertainment Tagged With:

U-I transplant director says numbers are going back up

October 28, 2010 By

The director of the University of Iowa’s organ transplant program today  told the Board of Regents that organ transplant volume is bouncing back after almost a decade of dramatically fewer kidney, pancreas and liver transplants. Dr. Alan Reed says that upon arriving in Iowa City a little more than a year ago, he found high quality, but slow service.

Reed says the real problem was that it took on average one year to being referred for a transplant, to being list for a transplant. “And that was entirely too long.” In what Reed called a “volume driven business,” the number of U-I kidney transplants has doubled in the last three years because Iowans previously leaving the state are now coming to the University of Iowa.

But he says there are still Des Moines area liver transplant patients leaving the state, and it frustrates him. Reed says of the two health systems in Des Moines, the Mercy healthcare system has partnered with the University of Iowa, but he says the Iowa Health care system, despite numerous discussions, “simply doesn’t want to work with us and they send their referrals to Nebraska.”

Reed told the Regents that U-I Hospitals will soon be consolidating services in a new transplant center.

Not posted. Can bump as far as Saturday.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With:

Beware of dangers lurking in trick-or-treating

October 28, 2010 By

Halloween is a time for having fun and getting scared, but parties and trick-or-treating can sometimes lead to real-life frights. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse and the education coordinator for Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center, says they get the most hotline calls on this holiday about glow sticks.

Noble says, “Oftentimes the kids will put them in their mouths and they’ll bite them, or in the act of popping them to get the glow stick to start glowing, sometimes it’ll pop open or leak and then when they shake it, it splashes into their eyes.”

 The liquid can irritate the eyes and cause a burning sensation to the mouth if a child bites into the tube, but Noble says a “taste” amount is non-toxic. While some kids will wear masks with their costumes, others will slather on make-up, which Noble says can also lead to trouble.

“Some kids have sensitivity, almost like an allergic reaction, to some of the makeups,” Noble says. “Watch for skin irritation, rashes and itching and as soon as those kids get home, try to get the makeup washed off quickly.” Some kids may use also use a makeup substitute, like paint, shoe polish, ink or felt-tipped markers. Noble says those items may contain petroleum, solvents or dyes that can irritate the skin and be harmful if ingested. She also says to be careful with glitter, as it can hurt the eye. After the kids return home with their loot, Noble says parents need to inspect all of the treats before the kids start eating them.

“Make sure that everything is in the original packaging, nothing’s been opened,” Noble says. “If there’s any wrappers that are faded, half-off, they have holes or tears or look like they’ve been re-wrapped, throw them away.” She adds, homemade treats should be tossed out unless parents are certain about the person who gave it out.

One other tip, be wary of dry ice. While it makes a neat foggy effect, Noble says to keep small pieces of dry ice out of individual drink glasses as it can cause frostbite if it touches the skin. Other questions? Call the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Former Floyd County attorney loses appeal

October 28, 2010 By

The former Floyd County attorney has lost an appeal to get his job back. The Floyd County Board of Supervisors had declared the county attorney’s position vacant after Jesse Marzen had his law license suspended by the Iowa Supreme Court. The court ruled that he had broken the rules when he engaged in a sexual relationship with a client before his election in 2006.

Marzen contended that the board had exceeded its authority, but District Court Judge Kurt Wilke has ruled that the supervisors were correct in their decision to declare the position as vacant and appoint a replacement.

By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Propane company agrees to changes in pricing policies

October 28, 2010 By

Iowa’s Attorney General says he has reached an agreement with the state’s largest supplier of propane after complaints last winter about the company’s pricing policies. Attorney General Tom Miller says the problem happened when contracts with Ferrellgas ran out and the company then switched to the market price of the heating fuel.

This led to bigger bills than the customers expected and some customers said they had been charged one dollar over the market price. Miller says the company has agreed to do more to let customers about the pricing. (see agreement below)

Miller says the company will make their policy available annually to consumers, and when consumers request it, they will give information about their pricing policy. Miller says the company will also send out a notice to customers when a contract is set to expire, so customers can check the current market prices.

Miller says that will allow consumers to find out about the current prices and that can deter the company from any kind of price gouging. He says consumers will be able to go to another supplier if they believe Ferrellgas is charging an unfair price. The A.G. says around 10% of Iowans heat their homes with liquid propane.

See the agreement here: Ferrellgas agreement PDF

Filed Under: Business, Crime & Courts Tagged With:

Zombies will return to the streets of Davenport

October 28, 2010 By

Like a scene out of the cult classic, “Night of the Living Dead,” up to 300 people, all made up to look like zombies, dragged themselves through the streets of Davenport last year, intersecting with the traditional Halloween Parade. And zombie fans rejoice!

The spooky people will be back again this year! The creator of all this fun and foolishness is Davenport artist Alexander Iaccarino. He says it’s really just a big art project. Last year’s appearance of zombies at the parade was a closely-kept secret. This year, they’ve come out of the coffin, so to speak. They’ll be marching — at least to the extent that zombies march — on Sunday night at 7.

By Phil Roberts, Davenport

Filed Under: Recreation & Entertainment
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