Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What you’ll learn at Des Moines’ upcoming water quality forum

Coming up: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Des Moines Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday October 1st Patch AM
Thursday October 1st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Des Moines! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What you'll learn at Des Moines' upcoming water quality forum
  • Why Des Moines' Fleur Drive water plant just shut its flood gates
  • How a Des Moines student's legacy transformed St. Theresa's library

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 68 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 64, low: 49.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Community Leaders Coordinate Conversation About Water Quality (dsm.city) — Des Moines residents are invited to a detailed water-quality conversation at the Des Moines Central Library on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Experts from Des Moines Water Works, the city, Drake University, and statewide organizations will explain how local drinking water is treated, current challenges like nitrates, and what's being done to protect central Iowa's water supply.
   

2. Des Moines Water Works closes flood gates at Fleur Drive Treatment Plant (weareiowa.com) — Des Moines Water Works has closed the flood gates at its Fleur Drive Treatment Plant as the Raccoon River is forecast to crest around 17.4 feet, near the level where water can reach the facility. Officials say the move is a precaution within a broader flood-protection system strengthened since the 1993 flood, aiming to keep city water service safe and reliable.
   

3. St. Theresa Catholic School's new library dedicated to late student Ava Vaske (who13.com) — St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines has opened an expanded, woodland-themed library dedicated to the memory of former student Ava Vaske, who died of cancer in 2022. With help from her family, grants, and volunteers, the space now offers cozy seating, a small stage, and faith-inspired touches that students are already embracing with excitement.
   

4. Man beaten in downtown Des Moines this summer died from head trauma, report shows (weareiowa.com) — Two men have now been charged with second-degree murder in the July 5 beating of 26-year-old Des Moines native Dimitri English in downtown Des Moines, after a medical examiner ruled he died from blunt-force head trauma. Police say up to five people kicked and punched him while he was defenseless, and investigators expect to charge additional suspects as they work with Minneapolis authorities.
   

5. More details on the future of Valley West Mall and the developer (kcci.com) — A West Des Moines developer has purchased Valley West Mall and is asking a court to change JCPenney's long-term lease so the aging property can be transformed into a mix of housing, retail, entertainment and recreation. With only about a dozen tenants left, including the Des Moines Children's Museum, city leaders hope redevelopment will revive tax revenue and keep the area economically vital.
   

📸 Around Des Moines

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 Des Moines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Des Moines 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

  • I'm Esther from Gaffney, SC.
    I just moved here, and it's been pretty boring lately, so I'm hoping to meet some new people and make a few friends (Nextdoor Douglas Acres)
  • Riding with my son and a funeral procession heading toward us.
    My son says I'm going to pull over, mom is that okay? I told him I knew he would! Never thought he wouldn't! While others flew by! (Nextdoor Norwood)
  • Graybar Electric Company, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler in Des Moines. Apply here.
  • CarHop Auto Sales & Finance posted a job opening for Sales/Customer Service, 18.00, Excellent Benefits and Growth in Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Moines here.

Ok Des Moines! 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!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Des Moines