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Editorial

New malpractice law balances needs of patients, health care providers

It is rare, but occasionally someone seeking treatment for an illness or injury ends up worse off because a mistake was made by a health care provider. At that point the situation often moves from the health care system to the legal system. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Negligent or incompentent doctors and health care facilities need to be held accountable, and a medical malpractice lawsuit is one way to do that. Holding people and organizations accountable is proper, but should that accountability come at such a high price that a hospital closes or physicians refuse to ...

Have a safe Super Bowl Sunday

The sporting event that will take place Sunday evening has essentially no equal. Sure, there are the Olympics, the World Series, the Stanley Cup finals and the NBA championships. The excitement of those events are all spread over a number of days. Sunday’s Super Bowl, however, will pack all the excitement into a few intense hours. The upcoming clash of the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will be more than a sporting event. It will be a social event. Lots of people get together to watch other games, but Super Bowl parties seem to be in a ...

It’s time to honor a local leader

Do you know anyone who has worked hard, perhaps out of the public view, to make Fort Dodge and Webster County a better place to live, work and play? If so, a unique opportunity to honor them is at hand. The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance is seeking nominees for its Catalyst Award. Nominees should meet these basic criteria: • Have a history of active involvement in the Growth Alliance. • Have shown that they are an active and visionary leader who is a catalyst for action in economic and community development. • Have demonstrated excellence in their profession or ...

Get out and vote Tuesday

Early February is not a typical time for a City Council election. That does not mean that Tuesday’s vote is unimportant. Two candidates, Wayne Mason and Megan Secor, are on the ballot Tuesday. They are competing to complete an unexpired term as an at-large member of the council. It is true that the winner of Tuesday’s election will only serve through the end of this year, because the at-large seat will be on the November ballot as part of the regular election cycle. But that is no reason to skip voting on Tuesday. Remember that the person who is elected Tuesday will be able to ...

Indoor arena project is worthy of support

It is easy to take the indoor arena at the Webster County Fairgrounds for granted. After all, it’s been there since 1973. Lots of people can’t remember a time when it wasn’t there. But generations of fair goers and 4-H members remember all the special things that have happened inside its walls. 4-H members of all ages have proudly shown their livestock there. More than a few of them have dashed through the arena carrying a watermelon slathered with soap as part of the Barnyard Olympics held during the Webster County Fair. And the arena is the home base for the Iowa Central ...

Corn still fuels Iowa economy

Corn production has been a key factor in the Iowa economy for more than 150 years. The state’s 21st-century economy is characterized by increasing diversity, and agriculture isn’t as dominant as once was the case. Even so, there can be little doubt that corn remains of critical importance. The renewable fuels industries have increased demand for corn as a critical ingredient in manufacturing ethanol. Ethanol production has not only increased demand for corn, but also strengthens corn’s already enormous importance to Iowa’s prosperity. Iowa leads the nation in ethanol ...