<b>Local Editor, Urbandale Patch<br>Email: </b>anne.kay@patch.com<b><br>Phone: </b>515.306.5504<b><br>Facebook.com/Urbandale.Patch<br>Twitter.com/@UrbandalePatch<br>Bio: </b>Becoming the editor for Urbandale.Patch.com is going back to the future for me. I started my career in community journalism and now get to see it into an online, digital world. I grew up in Nebraska, graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A year later, I got married and moved to Iowa. I worked for the Des Moines Register as a writer and editor for 28 years. In the past five years, I left the Register, tried my hand at magazine journalism by editing a health magazine at Meredith Company, became a widow, watched my last child graduate from high school, and started my own company. Along the way, I also rode my bicycle across Iowa, hiked in and out of the Grand Canyon and to the top of a Caribbean volcano. <b><br>My Beliefs: </b>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because we humans have beliefs. Patch editors are encouraged to reveal their beliefs in hopes that having it on the record will cause us to be even more mindful about being fair and balanced. If you see evidence to the contrary, please let me know.<b><br>My Politics: </b>My political beliefs are liberal to moderate. I'm a registered Democrat, but I'm not politically active. That said, I support civil liberties, the separation of church and state, and the right of free expression. I believe government should help its citizens and I believe in personal responsibility.<b><br>My Religion: </b>In my faith journey I have been atheist, agnostic, a seeker, and now a Christian. I attend Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines and my faith is important to me.
<strong>Urbandale Connections: </strong>I'm a member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.
The suicide of a Primghar teen who'd been bullied after he said he was gay has elevated public discussion of the problem of cyber-bullying. Ames school policies dealing with cyber threats are currently under review.
The Urbandale school board member was honored as Outstanding Civic Leader for his work planting trees on school yards.
A band of severe weather is predicted across several Midwest states tonight, but so far weather forecasters say it will stay south of Interstate 80.
From $216,000 to $659,000, check out these cul-de-sac homes for sale in Urbandale.
After an administrative review of the March 27 pellet gun incident at Jensen Elementary School, Urbandale school officials will call 911 when there is a weapon at a school.
Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty explains inconsistencies in information about the March 27 pellet gun incident at Jensen Elementary School.
Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell will award a Purple Heart Medal to a Vietnam veteran whose service record never reflected the honor.
Barb Bauer is one of a growing group of Americans whose identities have been used by criminals to steal from the federal government. A record number of such cases have been reported in Urbandale this year.
The women spoke to the Urbandale school board Monday night about concerns that bullying problems have not been addressed at Jensen Elementary.
Officer Shane Taylor is relieved that his partner, Sabre, now has a canine Kevlar vest. The pair are together 24/7.
Kim Yoblonski is circulating an online petition to get school officials to reconsider the punishment of a second-grader who brought a pellet gun to school.
Some of Urbandale's neighboring cities lost power and experienced downed trees. Little of that was reported in Urbandale.
You still have one day to get your taxes finished and in the mail. Will you make the deadline?
Looking for a job? Let Patch help.
Patch has advice for last-minute filers.
Three men were arrested on charges of marijuana or drug paraphrenalia possession last weekend.
Michael Kroloff shows off two of his photos Monday
Good news for procrastinators: Sunday and an obscure holiday give you a little breathing room.
Urbandale's annual spring cleanup begins next week. Residents across the city will be hauling their junk to the curb for the free pickup.
Good news for procrastinators: Sunday and an obscure holiday give you a little breathing room.