Hickman Road Study

The DOT's started a study to improve traffic flow on Hickman Road at I-80/35. It could also improve traffic on other major metro roads like First Street in Ankeny. The plan could mean a diverging diamond interchange. One's already planned in Waukee at the First Street interchange. 

Juvenile Home

Officials are being asked to investigate the State Training School for Boys in Eldora. The Des Moines Register reports it's not meeting the minimum education standards for special education students. The facility's houses 125 boys between 12 and 18, and as many as 60% of them qualify for special education services.

State Gaming Panel to Visit Jefferson

The state Racing and Gaming Commission's expected to meet Thursday in Jefferson to see the site of new casino proposed on Jefferson. KCCI reports the Commission's going to get information before making a decision next month on whether or not it will allow a new casino in Iowa. 

Volunteer Identified

An airborne bumper may have killed a volunteer at Iowa State Fair Speedway.

The Des Moines Register reports 45-year-old Richard Welch acted as a spotter Friday night when a car lost control.

The car hit the barrier, sending the bumper over cement blocks in the backstretch.

The investigation into the incident continues.

White Water University

The White Water University in Pleasant Hill was supposed to reopen last year, but there still aren't any plans to get it up and running yet. Craig and Jarod Smith, the father and son who own it, says their plumbing business has kept them too busy to work on the reopening; but they say they hope to soon. 

John OHurley

You know him from his role as J-peterman on the comedy "seinfeld".... and John O'hurley will be a competitor in the United health care pro-am on wednesday in des moines... it comes before the principal charity classic, which is may 30th to june first... tickets start at 15 bucks.

Lake Meeting

If you want to know about the water quality of beaver lake, plan to attend a meeting set for June 10th... the street department of natural resources will host the meeting to talk about the results... the lake has had high levels of algae and has been on the state's list of impaired waters because of it. the meeting is at raccoon valley bank at 6pm on the 10th.

Postnuptial Agreements

The Iowa Supreme Court says a 92-year old Belle Plaine, Iowa, woman can't claim her husband's assets after his death in September 2012 because they had signed a postnuptial agreement in Florida in 1991 waiving rights to one another's property. The court ruled Velma Hussemann must abide by the agreement even though Iowa doesn't recognize postnuptial agreements.

Shooting

A Des Moines man is out on bail after being charged with manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of his 4-year-old daughter. Police say 24-year-old Adam Mead turned himself in yesterday. Mead faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, neglect of a dependent person and two counts of making firearms available to minors.

Waukee Growing

New U.S. Census data show Waukee's the fastest-growing city in Iowa. The population last July was estimated at just over 17,000; up 22% from April 2010. The city's just unveiled plans for a new city center north of I-80, and new housing and business permits are strong.

Torch Run

The Iowa Department of Public Safety will hold a torch lighting ceremony as part of the Special Olympics Summer Games in Ames. The ceremony will begin Thursday with a lighting of the torch at the Oran Pape State Office Building in Des Moines. Officers from several law enforcement agencies will run with the torch in 4 mile increments.

Valley High School Arson

A 16-year old male student at West Des Moines' Valley High School's in custody and will be referred to Polk County Juvenile Court for arson, after a small fire in a school bathroom this morning.  Investigators are still looking into a 2nd fire this afternoon in another bathroom. 

Eyesore Going Away

An eyesore in des moines is going away... city council members have approved a plan to spend 550 thousand dollars to tear down the building at 1442 scott avenue, and clean up the property... a fire destroyed a recycling facility there.

Schools Arts

Extra attention to the arts - will be paid at four des moines schools... the register says the schools have been chosen for the national turnaround arts intiative... they are harding middle school, and oak park, madison, and cattell middle schools.

Worker Death

A worker who fell 50 feet during a work accident in dallas county has died from his injuries... KCCI said the man fell from a boom truck near dexter, as crews were hanging new power lines on the road... it happened on dexfield road midday yestrday.

Hospital Layoffs

A Des Moines hospital has laid off 29 employees as part of an attempt to cut $15 million in payroll costs.  Mercy Hospital President Bob Ritz, says the cuts were necessary to deal with financial strains, including low payments from public and private health-insurance programs.

City Looking for Volunteer Gardeners

Des Moines city  officials are asking local gardeners for help.  The Des Moines Parks and Recreation department is requesting donations of perennial plants, flowers and shrubs to help beautifty public lands throughout the city.
Donations can be brought to the Chesterfield Community Center tomorrow and Saturday.

Rotary Riverwalk

A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the new Rotary Riverwalk Park in Des Moines.  The $500,000 fishing-themed park is being built just north of the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge park near Wells Fargo Arena and will be financed entirely nine local Rotary clubs.

Sebring Suit

Iowa's Supreme Court has turned down the Des Moines School District's effort to get out from under a lawsuit filed by former School Superintendent Nancy Sebring.  It's the 2nd time the District's lost an effort to get the case tossed.  WHO-TV reports the case is scheduled to go to trial in November.  

Des Moines Schools

Two more des moines schools are going to be offering international baccalaureate programs... hoover high school and meredith middle school have been given the green light to offer the middle years program... hoover high and meredith middle will join more than 500 schools in the country offering the program.

Altoona Fire

No injuries after a building fire in altoona last night... a passerby saw smoke coming out of the building and called fire crews... it took fore crews about 20 minutes to get the fire out... it was at 109 8th street. No word on a cause. the building was unoccupied.

Mercy Medical Center

Mercy Medical Center is cutting jobs... KCCI says the company announced on thursday, it'll save 15 million dollars with cuts of 29 positions... the cuts are coming from areas that do not directly affect patient care... mercy wants to become more focused on outpatient services.

Des Moines Hotel

A $130 million convention hotel proposed for downtown Des Moines is among three projects in the running for funding through a new tax program. Next step is a presentation Thursday to the Iowa Economic Development Authority board. Des Moines is seeking $36.5 million from the program.

Discriminated Worker

400 thousand dollars is being awarded to a former state worker in a discrimination lawsuit... supervisors in the department of corrections retailed against 62 year old deborah campbell after she complained about her treatment.

Rec Center

Plans have been announced for a new $23 million project to put a YMCA on the Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny campus is being planned.  The project was approved last night by the DMACC Board of Directors. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines board is expected to do the same this summer.

Rotary Riverwalk

They'll break ground at 10a.m. Thursday for the new Rotary Riverwalk Park in Des Moines.   KCCI reports the fish themed park's on the west side of the Des Moines River near the wells Fargo Arena.  In addition to a kids play area, the park will have a 65-foot long fishing pole dangling a 12-foot wide bobber.

Teen Stabbing

A stabbing at a homecoming dance has gotten a teen ten years behind bars... 18 year old max bly was accused of stabbing luca fiala at a fort dodge dance in october... bly had pleaded guilty in the case.

Lake Panorama Tornado

The national weather service says it was an EF-2 tornado that did all that damage at lake panorama... the tornado had a track length of 16 point 7 miles and was generating winds of 111 to 135 miles an hour. Eight condos had major damage.

Woodley Out at GSE

The COO of the State General Services Enterprise has resigned.  WHO-TV reports Doug Woodley was one of the people who testified before state lawmakers about secret settlements made with fired state workers.  Two experienced department members will oversee GSE until Woddley's replacement is picked. 

Marshalltown Teen Plea

Police in Marshalltown say a 17-year-old boys pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and other charges while he was allegedly impersonating a police officer.  KCCI reports in March the then 16-year old, entered a home in March, searched several people, allegedly committed a sex act on one and assaulted two others.  He's been held on $250,000 since late March. 

Murder Suspect Arrested

A man wanted for murder in Chicago is behind bars in Des Moines. 22-year-old Daryl Lee was arrested after the U.S. Marshals office received a tip that he'd fled to Iowa. Accused of gunning down a 16-year-old boy in January, Lee is now awaiting extradition back to Illinois.

Polk Honor Flight

S Ankeny Blvd

Get ready for some traffic headaches in Ankeny this weekend.  South Ankeny Boulevard will be closed between Magazine and Oralabor Road's from 7p.m. Friday until about 6a.m. Monday.  They're installing a new storm sewer line near Southwest 16th Street.  The detour's Southwest Magazine Road, Southwest State St. and Southwest Oralabor Road.

Shootings

Des Moines police are investigating a shooting early this morning in the Oakridge neighborhood.  19-year-old Ameisha Heard was shot in the head.  She's  was taken to Methodist Medical Center in critical condition.

Police are also investigating a drive-by shooting at the McDonald's on East University Avenue in Des Moines.  No one was injured, but the restaurant was damaged with one of the windows shot out.

Jury Duty Scam

If you get a call from someone saying you owe a fine for missing jury duty... don't fall for it... the polk countysheriff's office says it's hearing about that scam... the say they'd never demand payment of fines by phone... if you get a call like that let the sheriff's office know.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor

From tragedy, hope. A new group was spurred by the near-death experience of Mike Wasike, who was beaten literally senseless by three teens. Neighbor to Neighbor has so far raised $110,000 to help Wasikie's family cope with staggering medical bills.

Pharmacist Trial Delayed

The trial of a Des Moines pharmacist indicted in connection with the disappearance of nearly 700,000 prescription painkillershas been delayed until October. Mark Graziano has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs, wire fraud and tax evasion. His June 2nd trial date has been changed to October 27th.

School Safe Rooms

The head of the State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says schools here need more safe rooms to protect students from twisters and severe weather.  Last year, the Des Moines Register found only 37 of the state's 1,400 public school buildings had safe rooms.  40-new ones have been approved in 33 districts. 

Shooting House

Police were familiar with a home in des moines where two sisters were shot on Sunday... KCCI says officers say it's the second time in six weeks shooting victims have turned up from 1108 17th street. Both sisters are expected to be okay.

Spending Bill

Gov. Branstad says he'll take a close look before signing a spending bill passed by the legislature early this morning.  It pays off about $60-million in state debt, and includes money for the Midwest United States-Japan Conference in Des Moines in September.

Spring Planting

Iowa farmers say they're still on track to get their corn planted despite cold, wet weather that slowed their start to the planting season. 23 percent of Iowa's corn crop is now in the ground.

LAZERfest

LAZERfest is moving to downtown Des Moines. The music festival was scheduled for May 11th at the Central Iowa Expo grounds in Boone, but due to the weather this year, organuizers say they are moving the event to Wells Fargo Arena.

Drive at Gunpoint

A 20-year old Newton man faces charges he held a woman at gunpoint while driving around Jasper county. He's Nathan Nelson, and police say he drove around rural gravel roads north of Newton Monday with the female victim in his front seat. It was unclear if Nelson knew the victim or how long he kept her in the car.

Secret Settle Folo

The latest department to come under scrutiny in the confidential settlements investigation: The Iowa Board of Regents. Yesterday, 400-pages of previously-secret settlement documents were released to the oversight committee. WHO-TV reports the documents cover dozens of employees at the three major universities, with payouts from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Younkers Folo

Delays in tearing down the part of the Youkers building devastated by fire. Falling glass from the Hub tower across the street has made the area unsafe to work in, and the recent rain has slowed other work. The walls of the burned-out east building will be coming down soon.