Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What witnesses saw at the Clark Avenue train collision in Ames
Happening soon: Mind Over Miles 5k on the Ames Patch calendar
Good morning Ames! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What witnesses saw at the Clark Avenue train collision in Ames
- How will Ames' $23 million runway rebuild disrupt 2027 flights?
- Want to help Ames patients during the blood shortage next week?
Also on today's calendar: Mind Over Miles 5k Run Walk and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 51 degrees.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 70, low: 42.
- Monday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 68 and low of 45 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Pedestrian critically injured after being struck by train in Iowa (northiowatoday.com) — A pedestrian was critically injured early Wednesday when they were struck by a train at the Clark Avenue railroad crossing in Ames, drawing a major response from local police and Mary Greeley paramedics. The victim was stabilized on scene and taken to a Des Moines trauma center, while Ames police continue investigating and are asking anyone with information to contact the department or Crime Stoppers. 
2. Ames Airport Project Will Require Runway Rotation, Closures In 2027 (aero-news.net) — Ames residents should expect significant flight disruptions in 2027 as the James Herman Banning Ames Municipal Airport rebuilds its main runway, closing it April through October and shutting all flight operations July through September. Funded largely by FAA grants, the $23 million project will fully reconstruct Runway 1-19 and parts of the taxiways, with work continuing into 2028.
3. ISU Blood Drive: Saving lives in times of shortage (iowastatedaily.com) — Iowa State's massive student-run blood drive is inviting Ames residents and students to donate at the Memorial Union Monday through Thursday, helping ease a national blood shortage. Organizers say donations are especially critical in Iowa, where high cancer rates mean local patients rely heavily on Red Cross supplies supported by this Ames-based effort.
4. ISU President David Cook announces 'moonshot' goals for future of university (kcrg.com) — In Ames, new Iowa State University President David Cook laid out ambitious "moonshot" goals to make ISU a top‑20 public land‑grant university and boost its economic impact to $8 billion by 2032. His plan centers on growing enrollment, expanding research, increasing debt‑free graduates, and strengthening ties to Iowa's workforce, with local students, staff, and officials urged to think bigger about ISU's future.
5. New online resource map helps connect Iowa landowners with conservation, environmental professionals (iowadnr.gov) — Based out of Ames State University Extension has launched a new Iowa Conservation Professionals Map to help landowners quickly find local experts on soil, water, and habitat projects. Ames‑area farmers and property owners can now enter an address to see nearby specialists, get technical guidance, and connect with funding sources to move conservation ideas from interest to action.
📸 Around Ames
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ames
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Mind Over Miles 5k →
Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Avenue, Ames
8:00 am
Sunday October 4
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Mind Over Miles 5k Run Walk →
Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave, Ames
8:00 am - Gentle Yoga on the Deck →
Wheatsfield Cooperative, 413 Northwestern Avenue, Ames
10:00 am - The Temptations →
Ames IA
7:30 pm - Brush Club Meet-Up →
St Andrews Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado St, Ames
9:00 am - All Kinds of Art (No School Days), Grades K - 5 →
Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames
9:00 am - All Kinds of Art (No School Days), Grades K - 5 at the Octagon →
Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames
9:00 am - Men's Shed Meeting →
Sixty Forward Center, 205 S Walnut Ave, Ames
9:00 am - Widow/Widower Meet-Up →
Sixty Forward Center, 205 S Walnut Ave, Ames
10:00 am - Drop-In Volunteering →
Ames IA
10:00 am - Sixty Forward Orientation Session →
Sixty Forward Center, 205 S Walnut Ave, Ames
9:00 am - Book Club Meet-Up →
Sixty Forward Center, 205 S Walnut Ave, Ames
10:30 am
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
Tuesday October 6
📣 Ames Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Volunteer needed for social visits in Pella.
Grab coffee, go to the park, or visit in his home. Email volunteer@ridehirta.com to help! (Nextdoor )
- Planet Fitness posted a job opening for Overnight - Cleaner 10:00pm - 5:00am in Ames. Apply here.
- Potbelly Corporation posted a job opening for Restaurant Team Member in Ames. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ames here.
Ok Ames! 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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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