<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 fire started in the bedroom of a paraplegic man in the middle of the night. Fortunately, the homeowners smelled smoke, awoke and were able to rescue the man and get others out of the home safely. Six adults survived.
Directing Urbandale readers to the most relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Directing Urbandale readers to the most relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
This year is the second year, the police department has won an award for its National NIght Out crime prevention event.
Directing Urbandale readers to the most relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Directing Urbandale readers to the most relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
The Urbandale City Council will hear pitches from 11 organizations that would like some of about $1 million the city will receive in hotel and motel taxes.
Protestors dressed as GOP candidates Gingrich, Bachmann, Paul, Romney and media personalities.
Test your knowledge and get ready for Saturday's presidential debate in Des Moines by taking this Patch quiz.
An Occupy Iowa protestor says members will be arrested if they come on to Drake University property.
Today's Gift Idea: Gently-used nativity sets from Things on Douglas.
You'd like to party into the wee hours on New Year's Eve, but you worry about leaving your dog at home that long. Check out this Urbandale business's solution.
A truck billboard that says "No Cuts" to Social Security and Medicare benefits will be parked near Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium before the Republican presidential candidates' debate Saturday.
Families will get only three days worth of food for the month, rather than five days, says the Des Moines Area Religious Council, which supports several food pantries in the metro area. The number of needy families is outpacing donations.
Today's Gift Idea: Sock monkeys from Things on Douglas
Get out the lights and holly. Decorating your home could net $100,000 for Urbandale or Waukee schools.
Share photos and videos of your community with your neighbors.
Newt Gingrich suddenly has become the frontrunner in Iowa. The question is: can he win the Iowa caucuses without a strong Iowa organization?
Take our Patch Poll about what's just or appropriate pre-trial treatment of Branden Plummer, 20, who's accused of attempted murder of a police officer.
Class B felonies usually carry a surety bond of $25,000.
