Des Moines|News|
East High Teacher Is Iowa's Debate Educator Of The Year
Jennifer Medina is in the running for the honor of national debate educator of the year, to be announced in March.

Melissa Myers relaunched the Central Iowa Patch websites in September 2017 and is a lifelong Des Moines resident with a passion for community journalism. She worked most of her 28-year career in The Des Moines Register newsroom, writing and editing news stories about the metro and suburban communities. She is an empty-nester and enjoys community activities and volunteering with her high school alumni and booster organizations.
Jennifer Medina is in the running for the honor of national debate educator of the year, to be announced in March.

The First Day Hikes are planned in every state as part of a national program to get people outside to enjoy parks and natural settings.
A wind chill advisory will go into effect overnight and continue through noon Tuesday; highs will fall below zero.
The Ankeny My Place Hotel follows an Altoona location that opened in October; owners plan to build 40 hotels total in a 10-year period.
Last season Iowa DOT recorded eight accidents due to another vehicle hitting a snowplow, but the previous year there were 24.
Hundreds of thousands of bees died and all of Wild Hill Honey's hives were destroyed when vandals broke into a shed.
The state is holding on to $316 million in unclaimed assets and some of it could be yours.
The new hotel would add 120 rooms or more to downtown in an area near shopping, dining and event venues.
Cook new foods, try new exercises or experience a new activity through adult education classes.
Whether your resolution is to lose weight, improve your diet or stop a bad habit, there are tips to help keep you on track.
City crews will be plowing the roads for the next two days and parking is not allowed during that time.
The department has 22 sworn officers with the hiring of two women this month.
Claude Phillip saw his daughter on Christmas; a day later the teen and her grandparents were dead, shot by a relative, police say.
Brush up on your Iowa knowledge in celebration of the state's birthday.
Ross McCarty announced his retirement in late summer and a search began for the next chief; the successor comes from within the department.
Balloon and confetti drops, inflatables and fireworks are among the ways kids can celebrate New Year's Eve in the Des Moines area.
The last day of the year is the busiest when it comes to people donating clothes and household items to get tax deductions.
Start the new year with a new career: The right office job for you might be here on the Patch jobs board.
City officials will alert residents when plowing has been completed and street parking is allowed again.
The state's efforts will focus on preventing deaths due to opioid overdose, Kevin Gabbert says.