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One man’s trauma spurs effort to help others

Editorial

Most people take their arms and legs for granted. They use them every day to do anything they want to do. But what would happen if suddenly, an arm or a leg wasn’t there? What if a person had to go on without an arm or a leg that was lost to disease or some massive injury? John Thompson, of Fort Dodge, found out what would happen when, about five years ago, his right leg below the knee had to be amputated due to complications of diabetes. After he got out of the hospital, he found there wasn’t a lot of support available for amputees. He used his own willpower and physical ...

Keep Iowa’s roads safe during harvest

Editorial

Following the recent area rains, the corn and soybeans have to dry down quite a bit before farmers can harvest them. But it won’t be too long before the combines roll. Soon it will be the time of the year when big, slow-moving farm vehicles rumble out onto roadways dominated by faster-paced traffic. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who lives in farm country. Even so, all of us should pay special heed to safety considerations as we share the roads with agricultural vehicles. In general, Iowa has been doing a good job of keeping accidents involving farm vehicles to a minimum. ...

Flu shots provide potentially lifesaving protection

Editorial

Just about everyone has called in sick at some point, saying they had the flu when they were sniffling, sneezing, maybe running a fever and generally feeling lousy. Those symptoms definitely add up to an illness, but the problem is not really the flu. Influenza, as it is properly known, is much, much worse. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, influenza is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Influenza and pneumonia are among the top 10 causes of death in the state. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent influenza. A yearly vaccine can protect a person ...

Sept. 11 is a day of remembrance

Editorial

A whole generation of Americans can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing on Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. On Friday, the nation will mark the 25th anniversary of another unforgettable tragedy. Millions will remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they learned that the United States had been attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. For about 15 minutes after the first jet hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center on that September morning, it was possible to believe that a horrifying accident had ...

Every minute matters

Local Columns

Your heart works around the clock, never taking a single second off. It powers life’s biggest milestones — from family celebrations and sporting events to the simple, everyday moments that matter most. Every beat keeps you moving, making heart health one of the most important investments ...