Samadani: Working On Scientific Concussion Diagnosis
2/3/14 – The research of a Dodge County-native could have a game-changing impact in detecting concussions. Whether it’s suffered in youth football or the Super Bowl, concussions do not show up on MRIs or any other diagnostic test. New York University neurosurgeon Uzma Samadani has discovered a new way to track eye movement as it relates to brain injuries, like concussions. In a recent article in Newsweek, Samadani discusses a new company she started called Oculogica (ah-que-logic-uh) which is lining up investors as it develops a commercial product. She has submitted four patents and has two pending scientific papers. The hope is that one day the technology is so common it’s available in every locker room or even as a smart phone app. Samadani had an epiphany two years ago while analyzing data. She tells Newsweek she almost fainted and (quote) “couldn’t sleep for the next two months thinking” she was wrong. The research still needs to go through federal and scientific peer review but the experimental technology is already being piloted at hospitals in New York and Philadelphia. Neurosurgeon Rich Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s concussion committee, is cautiously optimistic about Oculogica. He says at this point it’s more science project than proven technology but could eventually offer (quote) “objective data about brain injuries” which is something that is just not available now. Uzma Samadani is the daughter of longtime Beaver Dam physician Dr. Ayaz Samadani, who made his own headlines following his retirement last Thursday after 50 years of serving the community. A link to the Newsweek article is at:
http://www.newsweek.com/why-next-years-super-bowl-could-be-much-safer-227227
Beaver Dam Municipal Court Collaboration Possible
2/3/14 – The Beaver Dam Municipal Court may be expanding to include other communities. The court currently serves the city and township but city officials are considering a proposal to handle non-criminal offenses, like municipal ordinance and traffic violations, from the village of Neosho and towns of Rubicon and Ashippun. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy told us Friday on WBEV’s Community Comment that the discussion is very preliminary and the details will be ironed out in committee. The matter is expected to be outlined this evening and there is a first reading on tonight’s common council agenda with a possible vote as early as the council’s next regular meeting.
West Bend Woman Charged In Beaver Dam Hit and Run
2/3/14 – A West Bend woman accused of fleeing the scene after striking and severely injuring a pedestrian in Beaver Dam is being held on a $2500 cash bond. Stephanie Goltz made her Initial Appearance in a Dodge County courtroom late Friday on felony counts of Hit and Run Causing Great Bodily Harm and Knowingly Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License. A Beaver Dam man was struck by a dark-colored sedan on Madison Street in the early morning hours of January 26. He was taken to the Beaver Dam Community Hospital before being transported to UW Hospital in Madison. The victim went over the hood, on top of the vehicle and was said to be caught up in the wheel well at one point. The offending vehicle never stopped and sped away toward Highway 151. Authorities received a call the next day from an attorney for a passenger in the vehicle. The passenger told police he had been drinking in Beaver Dam and did not realize they had hit a pedestrian until he heard it on the news. He said there may have been a thump but with the blowing snow it was difficult to see. The passenger said Goltz was the designated driver and was drinking water most of the night but also maybe a beer or two. Goltz turned herself in on Wednesday. The 21-year-old did not make a statement. A judge will decide in March if there is enough evidence to order a trial.
Two Killed in Weekend Snowmobile Crashes
2/3/14 – A volunteer fire captain from the Green Bay-area has died in a snowmobile crash in far northeast Wisconsin. 48-year-old Russell Krause of De Pere was killed early Saturday in Florence County. Sheriff’s officials said his machine went off a road and struck a tree in the town of Tipler. Authorities said Krause was wearing a helmet at the time — and speed-and-alcohol were both contributing factors. Krause was a volunteer for 18 years in the Hobart Fire Department just west of Green Bay. Also on Saturday, a 46-year-old Illinois man was killed in a snowmobile crash near Mercer. Iron County authorities said his machine left a trail and hit several trees. At least 13 people have been killed in Wisconsin snowmobile crashes this winter — eight of them since the start of the New Year. The first couple this season occurred in Dodge and Columbia counties. There were three snowmobile deaths reported last weekend.
Campbellsport Woman Injured In Snowmobile Accident
2/3/14 – A 48-year-old Campbellsport woman suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries in a snowmobile accident in the Fond du Lac County Town of Auburn Sunday night. Sheriff’s officials say she lost control on the maintained snowmobile trail, became airborne, and rolled her sled several times. A Flight for Life helicopter flew her to Froedtert Hospital. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the accident that was reported just before 8:30pm.
Apartment Fire Reported in Washington County
2/3/14 – No one was injured in an apartment building fire in Washington County’s Town of Barton Sunday night. Sheriff’s officials say the fire was in the attic area of the building at 4630 State Highway 33. All tenants of the building were out of it when deputies and first responders arrived. The fire was contained to the attic and a second floor ceiling. Six fire departments battled the blaze. The Red Cross and County Humane Society helped tenants with lodging form them and their pets. The cause of the fire is still being determined.
300K Hens Burn In Walworth County Fire
2/3/14 – Fire-fighters returned yesterday to an egg farm near Whitewater that killed over 300-thousand hens. The blaze started Friday night at the S-and-R Egg Farm in the Walworth County town of La Grange. It started in one of 14 barns, and the cause remains under investigation. There were no personal injuries. La Grange Fire Chief John Duerst said the building was about 300-by-90-feet, and three stories tall. Up to 200 fire-fighters from 55 departments battled the blaze. Duerst said Water had to be brought in from seven miles away. It took until late Saturday morning to get the fire under control, and units returned yesterday to extinguish remaining embers. The Schimpf family owns the egg farm. Its Web site said it planned to re-build the structure, and all 13 of its other barns were still producing eggs. S-and-R has about 155 employees. Before the fire, it had around two million hens.
Vehicle Destroyed By Fire Near Mayville
2/3/14 – Fire completely destroyed a vehicle early Sunday morning near Mayville. It happened around 3:30am on County Road TW and Dike Road in the Town of Williamstown. The owner of the vehicle stopped a snowmobile operator on the nearby trail and asked for a ride. The vehicle was fully engulfed at the time. The registered owner of the vehicle left the scene on foot. Kekoskee Fire responded to extinguish the flames.
Waupun Assistant Fire Chief Retiring
2/3/14 – The Waupun Fire Department is losing its most experienced firefighter. After 48 years with the department, Assistant Chief Wayne VerHage has decided to retire. Department officials say he began with them on January 11th, 1966. He became the assistant chief in 1998.
Dodge County Fair Acts Announced
2/3/14 – Three of the four headlining acts for this year’s Dodge County Fair were announced over the weekend. The Dodge County Fair’s annual stakeholder’s meeting was held Saturday. On Thursday, Easton Corbin will perform on the grandstand stage. Friday’s classic rock entertainment is Cheap Trick. Saturday’s headliner is Cassadee Pope. The Wednesday act announcement is forthcoming. The Dodge County Fair runs August 13 through August 17 at the fairgrounds. The 2014 gate admission will be $7 before 2pm and $10 after 2pm. Age nine and under free. Season tickets will be $27 before August 13th and $35 after.
Dodge County Farm Tech Days Grants Available
2/3/14 – The final round of grant applications is being accepted for money generated during Farm Technology Days when it was in Dodge County. The Executive Committee says nearly $52-thousand dollars remains from the event that was held at the Crave Brothers Farm near Waterloo in 2009. Committee member Dave Frohling says they want to return the proceeds back to the community that dedicated so much to that effort. To date, the committee has distributed over $158,000 in grants and scholarships. The grants are available for non-profit and public organizations and are intended for the development of new programs or projects, or to enhance existing programs that serve the county’s agricultural community.
Community Grants are available for non-profit and public organizations, for the development of new programs or projects, or to enhance existing programs that serve the county’s agricultural community. Community grant selection will be based on an applicant’s intent to:
- Create community and consumer awareness of the importance and impact of agriculture.
- Develop innovative educational agriculture experiences or projects.
- Offer educational leadership skill-building opportunities and support for youth, families, and adults in Dodge County.
Scholarships for students pursuing post high school education in a 4-year college program, technical school or UW Farm and Industry Short Course are also available. Youth from Dodge County and neighboring counties that participated in the 2009 FTD show are eligible to apply. Selection of scholarship winners will be based on the following:
- Candidate for the scholarships must be a Dodge County or neighboring county resident.
- Candidate must be planning to enter college, or be enrolled in college, at the time of application.
- Candidate rank in the upper 50% of the class is preferred, with a grade point of 3.0. A high school or college transcript must be included with your application.
- Candidate must have participated in the Dodge County Wisconsin Farm Technology Days activities during the period of 2007 through 2009.
Scholarship and grant applications and instructions are available online at the Dodge County University Extension (UWEX) website http://dodge.uwex.edu/ or at the UW-Extension Dodge County Office, 127 E. Oak Street in Juneau.
All completed applications must be delivered in person, or postmarked, by February 14, 2014 to the Dodge County UW-Extension Office, ATTN: FTD Committee, Dodge County Administration Building, 127 East Oak Street, Juneau, WI, 53039.
Final selection and awarding of the scholarships and grants will be made by the Dodge County Farm Technology Days Executive Committee. Winners will be notified by May 15, 2014.
More information about Dodge County UW-Extension programs can be found online at http://dodge.uwex.edu/ and on Facebook.
