Community Corner

🌱 What Altoona riders need to know about DART’s new on-demand service

Spotted on the Altoona calendar: Music Bingo Night at Fireside Grille

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Hi there, Altoona! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Altoona riders need to know about DART's new on-demand service
  • How Panda Fest will transform the Outlets of Des Moines this weekend
  • Altoona friends invited to honor John Clement's life on October 5

Also on today's calendar: Battle of the Bands and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Altoona Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Altoona Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A touch of morning rain, with a high of 68 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 66, low: 46.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• DART expands on-demand ride service to three Des Moines suburbs (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Altoona now has DART On Demand service, giving residents weekday rides within local hubs and connections across the metro for $3.50 per trip, with discounts for some riders. Operating 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the microtransit option is meant to help the fast-growing city reach jobs, shopping, and services more easily.
   

• Iowa's first-ever Panda Fest to debut with Asian food and merch (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Altoona residents can dive into Iowa's first-ever Panda Fest at the Outlets of Des Moines from Oct. 2-4, featuring more than 200 Asian dishes and live entertainment. With affordable ticket options, free parking, and shuttle service from Prairie Meadows and Adventureland, it's designed as a big, family-friendly cultural celebration right in your backyard.
   

• John Clement (newtondailynews.com) — Family and friends in Altoona are invited to remember John Clement at a visitation and funeral service on Monday, October 5, at Hamilton's Altoona Funeral Home on 4th Street SW. The longtime John Deere employee and devoted husband, father, and grandfather is remembered for his strong faith, love of conversation over coffee, and many warm moments shared with loved ones.
   

📸 Around Altoona

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Altoona

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📣 Altoona Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Cinemark USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Part- Time Assistant Manager in Altoona. Apply here.
  • Interstate Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Certified Tank Inspector in Altoona. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Altoona here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bondurant

Ankeny

  • 3L Richelle Manuel-Rayburn's legal journey blends Moot Court, debate, and hard-earned luck (uiowa.edu)
  • 2603 NW Fairfield Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023 (redfin.com)
  • Iowa football RB Braeden Jackson named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (usatoday.com)

Ok Altoona! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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