<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.
A runaway tree-trimming truck rolled into an Urbandale condominium, knocking out supports to the deck of the unit above it Wednesday afternoon. Rare as it may be, this actually happened before to this ill-fated condo.
Want a quick and easy way to prep for the Urbandale City Council election on Nov. 8? Read this quick rundown of candidates. Then log on to Urbandale Patch today at noon for live coverage of the Chamber of Commerce's candidate forum.
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Tom Gayman voted against a $1.6 million shelter house and tornado safe room in Walker Johnston Park, but the Urbandale City Council Tuesday approved pursuing a redesign toward a federal grant that would pay for half the cost.
Raine Arnold went into insulin shock on Sept. 29 and woke up to find that her son was a hero. Today, their story is featured nationally.
A group of parents, teachers and students spent Tuesday planting trees. The school was able to purchase about 40 trees through a state grant for nearly $5,000. School board member Adam Obrecht said other Urbandale schools also will apply for grants to buy
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Should Urbandale pursue a $1.6 million building that meets federal storm shelter guidelines in order to get a federal grant? The City Council tonight will be asked to spend more money for revised plans for the building.
Cancer survivor Kate Ahnen will be recognized at Saturday's Komen Race for the Cure for a decade of fundraising to fight breast cancer. You can help her raise money today by stopping by the Silpada jewelry sale at her shop.
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Two men were charged by police of driving while drunk in Urbandale last week. A third man was arrested on drug charges.
Choosing the best candy to pass out on Beggars' Night can make you the king or queen of your block to neighborhood kids. Here's a guide to picking out candy that will please both the kids and their parents.
Urbandale's homecoming week activities headlined Urbandale Patch pages last week, as did the story of a 4-year-old whose life was saved by wearing a helmet.
In a public work session before its regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening, the Urbandale School Board will consider the district's six elementary schools in the wake of the end of a 10-year school renovation plan.
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Hey, you Lois Lanes and Clark Kents out there: Urbandale Patch has a new platform designed specifically for citizen journalism. (That's fancy talk for a way for you to share news instantaneously and directly on Urbandale Patch.)
Urbandale High School students got into characters Wednesday for homecoming week. Vote for your favorite character.
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Directing Urbandale readers to relevant or entertaining news on metro sites this morning.
Chad and Leslie Dobbs are thankful they are sticklers for having their kids wear helmets, especially after a truck rolled over their 4-year-old son's head.
