Polk City Referendum Vote Tomorrow

Polk City residents will vote tomorrow on a $4 million plan to add and expand recreational facilities. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the community room at 309 W. Van Dorn St. The Des Moines Register reports the referendum will need over 60% approval to pass. If approved, the project’s cost will add $2.27 to the city’s property tax rate of $7.90 per $1,000 taxable value, or an extra $220.57 a year in taxes on a $200,000 home.

Private Security in Ankeny Schools

Ankeny's school district's one of a few in the country to replace police with private security guards in schools. The Des Moines Register reports 6-Per Mar Security Services employees - three of them armed - started in the schools in March. City officials say community growth's created a need for more police on the street, and Police Chief Gary Mikulec says with cities and school districts tightening their belts, private security in schools could become more common.

West Des Moines to address noise issue

West Des Moines has gotten several noise complaints from residents who live near the city's commercial districts. particularly the outdoor music coming from patios. Those will be discussed today at a workshop following the city council meeting. Some say more clubs have popped up in that district than residents initially anticipated. City council will try to balance the negative effects of noise with the positive effects for the local economy.

US Forces find bin Laden at large compound in Pakistan

So how did it happen?






Through intelligence, US forces were able to narrow down bin Laden's whereabouts to a $1 million compound in Pakistan at the end of a dirt road. President Obama made the decision to send in the troops on Friday morning as he was on his way to survey tornado damage in Alabama. The operation was completed yesterday afternoon.

Wednesday services for Iowa soldier killed

Funeral services for Iowa National Guard Staff Sgt. James A. Justice of Grimes will be held Wednesday in western Iowa, where he grew up. Justice was killed April 23 in a firefight while trying to rescue crew members of a U.S. Army helicopter that crash-landed in Afghanistan's Kapisa province. A soldier from Des Moines was injured in that incident.

Fire risk is high

The National Weather service warns against the potential for grass fires this week. The Des Moines area is about an inch above average for annual precipitation, but slow plant growth has created conditions susceptible to grass fires, according to meteorologists. Crews from the Des Moines, West Des Moines, Norwalk and Northern Warren fire departments struggled Saturday to put out a fire in Des Moines' Water Works Park after sparks from a passing train set between 30 and 40 acres of grassland ablaze.

Military braces for retaliation after bin Laden death

As the world reacts to the death of Osama bin Laden, the US military warns of the risk for retaliation. An enlisted Air Force officer spoke on the condition on anonymity, but told the Raycom News Network that US bases face imminent danger of retaliation. US military bases are taking precautions and have heightend security levels until further notice.