Monday, September 30, 2013

DM Register Poll Could be Troubling for Branstad

While Gov. Branstad continues to have high job-approval ratings, A new Des Moines Register Poll shows some voters think it's time for him to move on. 55% say Branstad “has been in office long enough,” 35% say he should run again. Of that 55%, 71% are Democrats and 31% Republicans, Among Independents, 62% say he's been in power long enough, only 28% say he should run again.

Friday, September 27, 2013

One of David Flores Attorney's Has Law License Suspended

One of the attorney's that represented David Flores has had her license suspended. Authorities found Mary Kennedy violated a number of ethics rules. KCCI reports among them she accused the Polk County Attorney's office of misconduct during the Flores trial. She later admitted the accusations may have been tied mental instability. Among the conditions for the return of her license include a mental health professional verifying her fitness to practice.

Another I-235 Ramp Closing October 7th

Iowa DOT says the entrance ramp from 63rd Street west onto I-235 will close at 5a.m. on October 7th for construction. It was supposed to close Monday, but that's been pushed back a week. It's part of the project to add another lane on I-235 between 63rd and 73rd Streets.

Another Branstad Driver Cited for Speeding

Here we go again. Another state trooper driving Gov. Branstad's been cited for speeding. KCCI reports Trooper Darren Argabright was issued a warning in Franklin County August 27th, for traveling less than 10-mph over the posted speed limit. Argabright notified his superiors immediately, and after an internal investigation was given unspecified disciplinary action.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Casey's Store Burglary Investigated

Des Moines PD are looking for suspects after the door from a Casey's store was found in its parking lot on Echo Valley Drive early Tuesday. KCCI reports the only thing missing were several cartons of cigarettes. They believe someone hooked something to the back of a truck or SUV and pulled off the door. Police are reviewing surveillance video.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Polk County Starts Flu Shot Clinics

It's that time of year again, and Polk County's Health Department's started holding flu shot clinics. They'll host 50 between now and November. WHO-TV reports there's a clinic tomorrow from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at East High School. Most health insurance plans cover flu shots, but if you are uninsured the shots are $20. County officials say no one will be turned away because they can't pay.

Riverfront Y Property for Sale: $5.5-million

Some prime Des Moines real estate's for sale. The DM Business Record reports the Riverfront YMCA property, a 1.8 acre site on Locust Street's listed at $5.5-million. A high rise is expected to replace the current building. The property's available thanks to the land swap that moves the Y to the old Polk County Convention Complex.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Des Moines Gets Solheim Cup in 2017

The Des Moines Metro's hosting the Solheim Cup in 2017. It's the LPGA's biggest international team event. WHO-TV reports the Des Moines Golf and Country Club will host the competition between the top women golfers of Europe against the top women golfers in the U.S. It's expected to bring in over 250,000 spectators and be a big boost for the Des Moines metro economy.

Another I-235 Ramp Closes Next Monday

The westbound ramp off I-235 at 63rd Street closes next Monday. It's part of a construction project adding a lane between 63rd and 73rd Streets. Iowa DOT expects the ramp to remain closed until October 10th. The other ramps at 63rd are expected to remain open including the eastbound entrance and exit ramps and the westbound ramp for traffic on 63rd headed west onto I-235.

Friday, September 20, 2013

U of I Makes New List--Adulterers

America's No. 1 party school's on a new list: among the colleges with the most adulterous alumni. The Des Moines Register reports the Extra-marital dating site AshleyMadison.com found Iowa came in seventh in a poll of more that 10,350 members, finding 2.7% of them claiming to be Iowa graduates. The study only measures how many alumni have sought extra-marital affairs on their website.

Storm Sets Back Construction of New BBQ Restaurant in Johnston

Des Moines Metro barbecue lovers will have a longer wait for a new Jethro’s BBQ and Pork Chop Grill. Yesterday's storms tore apart the construction site for the new restaurant in Johnston. The storms collapsed some of the walls, and WHO-TV reports the owner says they'll have to start from scratch. The restaurant was supposed to open in December.

Judge Orders Pharmacy Board to Rehear Part of Bauder Pharmacy Case

Iowa's Board of Pharmacy has been ordered by a Polk County judge to hold a new hearing in the case of Bauder's Pharmacy, where almost 700,000 doses of prescription painkillers allegedly disappeared. The judge's order limits the rehearing to allegations that the pharmacy didn't have proper procedures. The pharmacy board has set a new hearing for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8.

DM NWS Office Open House Tomorrow

Want to learn more about Iowa's weather and the people who track it every day? Tomorrow is your chance. The Des Moines National Weather Service office is holding an open house tomorrow from 10a.m. to 3p.m. The office is at 9607 Northwest Beaver Drive in Johnston. There's parking at the Acorn Valley Campground, just north of the office.

Iowa Gives Loans for Company Projects

Two Iowa companies have gotten loans from the state Economic Development Authority that they won't have to repay if their projects are done as promised. One of them is Jacobson Companies, a Des Moines warehouses and transport services firm is getting $250,000 to move to its corporate headquarters to Clive.

MidAmerican Says 5100 Still Without Power

About 5,100 MidAmerican Energy customers in the Des Moines metro are still without power after yesterday's storms. They may not get their power back on until tomorrow evening. Crews have over 322 locations have to be worked on before the lights can be turned back on. MidAmerican says crews will work around the clock to make repairs. Des Moines has almost 2300 customers in the dark.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

SUV Drives into Sport Bar Twice

Des Moines PD are looking for the driver of an SUV that rammed the vehicle twice into Scores Bar in the 2300 block of Hickman Road a little after midnight. KCCI reports witnesses say there was an argument outside the bar, then the suburban hit the corner of the building, backed up, and hit near the front door. The driver's allegedly a regular customer. Damage to the building's about $20,000.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Metro Waste Betting on Methane Recovery at Landfill

Metro Waste is spending a little over $6-million for a new methane recovery facility east of Pleasant Hill. The facility will extract methane from the landfill and turn it into electricity for the area. Methane is one of the by-products of decomposing trash. A crane's installing three large engines that will turn the methane into electricity.

DMACC Opens New Building in Downtown Des Moines

Des Moines Area Community College has more room to train students in downtown Des Moines. They're showing off their new facility at the Capitol medical office building, which they purchased for $1.2-million. WHO-TV reports the new building is home for DMACC's nursing and early childhood education programs. The college got labs, computers, carpeting and renovations done a month before fall classes started.

GITS Shutting Down Creston Plant

GITS Manufacturing says it's shutting down its' plant in Creston. Employees have been told production will be moving to other Actuant facilities in Urbandale and China. KCCI reports 95-employees work at the Creston plant. 15-will be transferred to Urbandale, and 90-will lose their jobs. The cuts will start in November, with the plant doors closed June 30th of next year.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Iowa Nat'l Guard Reviewing Facility Security Policies

The Iowa National Guard, with 54 military facilities in 41 communities, will review its security policies after yesterday's deadly incident at the Washington Navy Yard. But a spokesperson tells the Des Moines Register no major security changes are expected. Since 9/11, visitors must pass a guard checkpoint, and must show a photo ID to gain entry to most facilities.

Construction Starts Sunday on Hickman Road

Expect to see lane closures at night starting this Sunday along Hickman Road in Dallas and Polk counties.
KCCI reports crews will be working Sundays through Thursdays, weather permitting, from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. They'll be lengthening left-turn lanes along Hickman at five intersections to help with traffic flow: Warrior Lane, Alice's Road, 156th Street, 142nd Street, 128th Street.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Driver Cited in Deadly Motoryccle Crash

A Des Moines woman's been cited for failure to yield in an SUV/motorcycle crash that killed 57-year old Nicholas Otto August 27th. Police say Katherine Bloch turned in front of Otto's motorcycle. He hid the side of the SUV and was killed. The deadly crash happened on Hickman Road.

Federal Judge Sentences Ankeny Couple for Mortgage Fraud

An Ankeny couple have been sentenced by a federal judge in a mortgage fraud case. KCCI reports 35-year old Jamie Bowers-Danielson got 41-months for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud charges.
36-year old Matthew Danielson was sentenced to a year and a day for bank fraud.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Dad of Evandale Murder Victim Gets Prison on Drug Charges

37-year old Daniel Morrisey's been sentenced to up to 90-years in prison, with a mandatory minimum 30-years on a guilty plea to drug charges. KCCI reports the drug charges are tied to events before and after the disappearance and murder of his daughter and her cousin disappeared. Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins vanished from Evansdale in July, 2012. Their bodies were found last December.

Heading for Record Low Tornado Year in Iowa

Barring a surprise storm, 2013 will be a record low year for tornadoes in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports there've been 15-this year, the lowest number since tracking started 33-years ago. The National Weather Service says Iowa's average is 47-tornadoes/year. Is a fall Tornado possible? The Des Moines Register reports there've been 92 in September, October, November and December since 1980.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Same DM Home Hit By Burglars 4-times in a Year

Des Moines PD's investigating 4-burglaries at the same home in the past year. The house is in the 5300 block of SE 9th Street. WHO-TV reports the most recent break in was yesterday during the lunch hour. A neighbor called police after seeing the garage door open, and knowing the owner wasn't home. This time thieves got away with guns, electronics, and jewelry

WDM Breaks Ground Soon on Archery Facility at Raccoon River Park

There's a ground breaking ceremony at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines on the 23rd. The city will be starting work on a new archery facility, first of its kind in Iowa, which should be open to the public by the spring of next year. WHO-TV reports the project will cost $173,000, and that includes money from the city, donations, and grants.

P{art of Merl Hay Road in Johnston Closing Monday

If you travel Merle Hay Road in Johnston, be warned. Starting Monday the intersection of Merle Hay Road and NW 64th Place will be closed for five days as the city’s public works department taps a water main. The southbound lanes of Merle Hay will be closed, and traffic will be reduced to two lanes in the road’s northbound lane.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

DHS Dropped Ball in Child Development Center Case

Iowa's ombudsman says the state failed to properly monitor a child care center after discovering children engaging in sexual behavior. A report from Ruth Cooperrider says the Department of Human Services did not follow up after complaints of sexual behavior among children in 2010 at The Child Development Center in Des Moines. DHS has accepted some of the reports recommendations including clearer rules on reporting inappropriate sexual behavior to parents.

Ombudsman: DHS Dropped the Ball in Child Care Case

Iowa's ombudsman says the state failed to properly monitor a child care center after discovering children engaging in sexual behavior. A report from Ruth Cooperrider says the Department of Human Services did not follow up after complaints of sexual behavior among children in 2010. DHS Director Charles Palmer's accepted some of the reports recommendations including clearer rules on reporting inappropriate sexual behavior to parents.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Newton Man Facing State Charges, Now Faces Federal Child Porn Charges

72-year old James Brock of Newton, facing state charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and invasion of privacy, for allegedly using hidden cameras to film kids and adults undressing in his home to use a tanning bed and pool, now faces federal charges of three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor/production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

School Board Elections Underway

Polls are open statewide for school board elections today. In Des Moines, 10 candidates are chasing 4-seats, while 7-are in the running for 4-seats in Waukee. There's also a property tax levy up for renewal that helps fund Iowa's community colleges. Polls close at 8 p.m.

Principal Financial Boosts DM Metro School Mentoring Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa has received a $15,000 grant from Principal Financial Group to improve a school-based mentor program for children. KCCI reports the program, in 33-schools in the DM Metro, matches over 300 children with mentors who meet them in school on a weekly basis. The grant will help pay for educational and physical activities, as well as relationship building between students and mentors.

Monday, September 9, 2013

State Says Wasserbahn Waterpark Agrees to Shut Down

Iowa's Public Health Department says the Wasserbahn Waterpark at the Clarion Inn in Williamsburg's agreed to close its activity pool, wading pool, water slides and spa as part of an agreement with them. KCCI reports the parks been repeatedly cited for state violations including failure to properly chlorinate the swimming facility, maintain proper water chemistry, test the water and keep records.

Legislators to Ask Questions About Juvenile Home

The Iowa Senate Oversight Committee meets next Tuesday to discuss problems at the state-run Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo. The Des Moines Register's reported for at least 17 years the home has placed children as young as 13 in long-term isolation cells the facility calls "control rooms" and "quiet rooms" sometimes in violation of court orders.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Pop Up Crate And Barrel to Jordan Creek

The Des Moines Business Record's reporting that Crate and Barrel will open a holiday pop-up store in Jordan Creek Town Center. The store will open on Oct. 29 and will remain open until the end of the year.
The Business Record says "the Tree Lot at Crate and Barrel will have holiday decor and gifts, and a series of in-store events and special promotions.

Tickets On Sale for ISU Bacon Expo

ISU's now selling tickets for its first exposition celebrating all things bacon. Tickets went on sale today for Bacon Expo on Oct. 19 in the Scheman Building Courtyard at the Iowa State Center. Students are organizing the event, offering visitors hundreds of pounds of bacon samples and a bacon-eating contest.

Bas Main Break Reported on SE 14th and East Diehl

A gas main break's been reported on Southeast 14th Street and East Diehl Avenue, just north of Army Post Road. KCCI reports there have been no evacuations reported. Traffic's been slowed in the southbound lanes of SE 14th, and you're advised to take a different route if possible.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Burglar Drives Through Wall But Fails to Escape DM Police

Des Moines PD say a burglar drove a truck through a garage wall to get away from them early this morning. WHO-TV reports police saw 25-year old Benjamin Algreen in the garage of a home in the 3800 block of SE 8th Street, the homeowner heard noise and called 911. He drove the truck through several yards and fences before crashing into a tree. He's in the Polk County Jail on multiple charges.

Plea Deal for Ankeny Dad Charged With Killing His Daughter

The Ankeny man accused of shooting and killing his daughter's reached a plea deal. KCCI reports 51-year old Scott Hazelbaker will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and the state will drop the assault causing injury charge. When he's sentenced, Hazelbaker will face a maximum five years in prison or minimum probation. Hazelbaker's attorney says his client never intended to hurt Emily Hazelbaker.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Search for Suspects in Cowles Commons Stabbing

Des Moines Police are reviewing surveillance video from area businesses, hoping to find out who stabbed Timothy Pridgen at Cowles Commons around 11:30 this morning. WHO-TV reports witnesses say the 48-year old was attacked by three or four people who ran. Police say Pridgen hasn't given them any information that he knew who'd assaulted him.

Gray's Lake Construction Starts Monday

Construction crews will start work Monday at Gray's Lake Park. They'll be stabilizing and repairing the north shore of the lake on the south bank of the Raccoon River. Officials say years of erosion, flooding and wave action have washed away soil and left a steep bank behind. No construction work is planned on the weekends.













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Story Blogged at 09-03-13 15:31 by djennings

Gray's Lake Park Construction Starts Monday

Construction crews will start work Monday at Gray's Lake Park. They'll be stabilizing and repairing the north shore of the lake on the south bank of the Raccoon River. Officials say years of erosion, flooding and wave action have washed away soil and left a steep bank behind. No construction work is planned on the weekends.













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Court Clerk's Offices Back to Full-Time Hours

Clerk of Court offices statewide are going back to full time hours, 8a.m. to 4:30.m. Monday to Friday. KCCI reports the recession led to budget cuts which meant shorter hours. Clerks of court work with judges, judicial magistrates, and court employees to manage and maintain all court records, accept and process fines, fees and court costs, as well as child support and civil judgments.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Taylor Recycling Plant Fire-Arson Not Ruled Out

Arson hasn't been ruled out as the cause of a 4-day firer at the old Taylor Recycling Plant in Des Moines. WHO-TV reports investigators got inside the building today, and they were able to eliminate spontaneous combustion as a cause. Authorities say they believe the fire was set. They say without witnesses to help determine how the fire started, they may never know the case.

Polk Cty Supervisors Exoected to Vote on Events Center Lawsuit Settlement

Polk County's Board of Supervisors is expected to vote tomorrow on a resolution approving a settlement in a lawsuit over the Iowa Events Center. HOK Sports, Inc., now known as Populous, was sued over the design and construction of the Center. KCCI reports the deal would pay the county $1.4 million in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit, originally filed in April 2011.