🌱 Des Moines Patch: Everything Going On Today (Wed, Jan 25)

Hello all. It's me, Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel, your host of the Des Moines Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locally. In today's issue, you'll find updates on...

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But first, today's weather:

Breezy and colder. High: 30 Low: 8.

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Here are the top stories today in Des Moines:

1. High School Basketball: Riverhawk girls fly past Des Moines East (Globe Gazette)
2. Iowa Pork Producers name new president (KCCI Des Moines)
3. Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad takes over new leadership role (KCCI Des Moines)
4. Bosnian refugees take in an Afghan student in Des Moines (Des Moines Register)
5. Wilkins hits game-winning three as Drake tops Indiana State (KCCI Des Moines)
6. Polk Co. Sheriff's Office warns of continued phone scam (KGAN TV)
7. Des Moines police searching for material witness in connection to city's 4th homicide (Local 5 - weareiowa.com)
8. Investigators say West Des Moines apartment fire likely started around chimney flue barrier in attic (KCCI Des Moines)
9. Police search for material witness to Des Moines homicide (KCCI Des Moines)
10. DMMC DSM Soundcheck | Jan 25 | xBk Live (Little Village Magazine)
11. Linn County had $4.1 Million reported to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in 2022 (KGAN TV)
12. Child sent to hospital after falling from ceiling tile at Des Moines elementary school (KCCI Des Moines)
13. Police identify victims in Des Moines youth outreach center shooting (KCCI Des Moines)
14. Woman questions risk, reward after police chase leads to truck crashing into her home (KCCI Des Moines)
15. Des Moines Police: Shooting that killed two at youth program was targeted (KGLO News)

Today in Des Moines:

From my notebook:

• Des Moines Police: "On January 22nd, DMPD responded to a homicide in the 3700 block of E. 39th St. 36-yr-old Daniel Lovett was found deceased at the scene. DMPD detectives have been investigating this case since they received the call, and they now need you..." (Des Moines Police via Facebook)
• Des Moines Register: "William Holmes, a rapper who goes by the stage name Will Keeps and founder of @srhstartsrighthere, is one of three who was shot Monday at the downtown nonprofit. Rashad Carr, 16, and Gionni Dameron, 18, both of Des Moines, died at a hos..." (Des Moines Register via Instagram)
• Iowa State Fair: "DON'T STOP US NOW 🕺 We're giving away a 4-pack of tickets to Hairball with special guest The Pork Tornadoes to four lucky winners! 🥳 The show is Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. To enter: 1) Make sure you like/follow our page 2) Tag y..." (Iowa State Fair via Facebook)
• Iowa Wild: "Nic Petan is the extra hockey hero yet again with this snipe! #10WAGROWN" (Iowa Wild via Instagram)
• Des Moines Register: "Gov. @kimreynoldsia has signed into law her signature education proposal — a program that is expected to spend $345 million in taxpayer funds every year to pay families to send their children to private schools. The sweeping legislation..." (Des Moines Register via Instagram)
• Des Moines Register: "Police have named the two teenage victims who were killed Monday at @srhstartsrighthere, a non-profit associated with @desmoinespublicschools that serves at-risk youth. Rashad Carr, 16, and Gionni Dameron, 18, both of Des Moines, died a..." (Des Moines Register via Instagram)
• Iowa Wild: "Marco Rossi tallies his eighth of the season to get Iowa on the board first! #10WAGROWN" (Iowa Wild via Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa: "Believe it or not, 56 years ago today there was a tornado outbreak across the Upper Midwest! On January 24, 1967 a whopping 13 tornadoes touched down in southeastern Iowa, and others in neighboring states as far north as Wisconsin, and s..." (US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa via Facebook)
• Des Moines Register: "The No. 13 #Cyclones shook off their tough loss at Oklahoma State and rebounded with a quality showing at Hilton Coliseum. With the win over No. 5 Kansas State, Iowa State now sits in a three-way tie atop the Big 12. Tap the link in our ..." (Des Moines Register via Instagram)
• Des Moines, IA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets: "Please spread the word! Ruckus was LOST on January 23, 2023 in Des Moines, IA 50316 near East 14th st & Washington ave Message from Owner: Ruckus got out of our yard last night due to someone leaving the gate open around 10:30pm we drove..." (Des Moines, IA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa: "Light to moderate snowfall is forecast over southeastern and eastern Iowa late tonight through Wednesday morning, resulting in some travel impacts in those areas. Additional chances for lighter snowfall across Iowa will then follow on We..." (US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa: "❄️Light snow this morning, mainly southeast. Later this afternoon additional widespread snow with very minor accumulations❄️" (US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa via Facebook)
• Des Moines Public Library: "This morning 70 people took part in a Naturalization Ceremony at Central Library and became citizens of the United States of America. Congratulations to everyone involved!" (Des Moines Public Library via Instagram)
• The Des Moines Register: "The Bloomfield native brought a pig on a leash to meet leading man Zach Shallcross." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: ""Everything Everywhere All at Once" led the way with 11 nominations this year, including best picture." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "The National Weather Service forecasts a chance of snow for much of the week, but with little if any accumulation." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "Here's how Gov. Kim Reynolds' 'school choice' law will work in Iowa: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/3HbYKoi" (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• West Des Moines Fire Department: "The West Des Moines Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at 12:45 this morning at Carriage Park Apartments located at 4815 Pleasant Street. When firefighters arrived, they entered the building and encountered light smoke and a..." (West Des Moines Fire Department via Facebook)
• Des Moines Art Center: "In need of a lunchtime pick-me-up? Dine in at Tangerine at the Art Center! Their rotating seasonal menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, the cafe quiche, and more. Remember to always ask your server for the daily dessert selection! Fi..." (Des Moines Art Center via Instagram)
• The Des Moines Register: "This is the latest in a series of scandals involving classified documents at the homes of elected officials and former elected officials." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the private school scholarships law just 2 weeks after she called it her top priority in her Condition of the State address." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "This one-year-old is hearing the world for the first time. Her mother's happy tears are part of it. 😭" (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "Terry Branstad is set to take over from Barbara Stinson, whose resigned Jan. 14" (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• Ballet Des Moines: "In the Ballet Des Moines studio this week we welcome back Stephanie Martinez and Noelle Kayser from PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, as the dancers prepare for this spring's female-focused choreography showcase: SHE." (Ballet Des Moines via Facebook)
• Des Moines Playhouse: "First, unofficial look at the mean girls in The Hundred Dresses. #dmplayhouse #desmoinestheatre #thehundreddresses" (Des Moines Playhouse via Facebook)
• The Des Moines Register: "Rashad Carr, 16, and Gionni Dameron, 18, died of their wounds at a hospital." (The Des Moines Register via Facebook)
• Des Moines Performing Arts: "There's n-n-n-n-n-n-no way! Only TWO more weeks until SIX on Broadway graces our stage for the first time! Are you ready? Playing at the Civic Center February 7 - 19. Purchase tickets: https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/six/" (Des Moines Performing Arts via Facebook)
• Des Moines University: "We are ⚠️ TWO WEEKS AWAY ⚠️ from the start of DMU's annual Mini Medical School sessions! https://bit.ly/3j40bwI" (Des Moines University via Facebook)
• Des Moines Parks and Recreation: "During this week's walk, Joel spotted more than 20 bald eagles hanging out in the trees along the Des Moines River!" (Des Moines Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• Des Moines Playhouse: "Look at what our friends at Des Musicals posted! #dmplayhouse #pyramidtheatre #desmoinestheatre #thepianolesson" (Des Moines Playhouse via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Downtown Des Moines: "I need tips for getting my 80 dollars back or making it worth losing. - No idea is too not my style in the first place." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, South Side: "I just got a notice that Verizon is raising my bill. - It’s already too high! I’m a senior citizen and I don’t need fancy, but I want call, text and internet access. Any suggestions?" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, NE Berwick/Chichaqua Valley: "Here is a post from the owner of Menchies in Altoona. - Thrilled they will re-open‼️❤️" (Nextdoor)
• Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office: "Media Release Phone Scams - Polk County Sheriff's Office Media Release January 24, 2023" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Fairmont Park: "I had 4 envelopes standing up spread out in my mailbox for 3 days, and they never picked them up. - Just put the new mail in the box over them. Has anyone else dealt with this? It's not the first time. Frustrating. 😏" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, McKinley School/Columbus Park: "What's on my mind is what the h*#l is going on these days my good friend Daniel Lovett was shot and killed early Sunday morning while he was walking to someone's house and then the next day this shooting once again at a school these kids..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Laurel Hill: "Found safe - My dog went missing about midnight we’re 2700 miles away from home my mom let him out to go potty he never came back he’s a beagle blue healer his name is buggs he’s micro chipped if anyone sees him please let me know 515468..." (Nextdoor)

You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel

About me: The original Pirate Queen and QA engineer for Patch. Did you know that this week I have worked at least two fourteen hour days? This sprint has been nuts and the engineering team has been keeping me hopping non-stop. I'm exhausted and very close to needing a vacation.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Des Moines Patch newsletter? Contact me at celeste.wetzel@patch.com