🌱 Teen Suspect Escapes In Waterloo + COVID At-Home Test Shortage

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's what's going on today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 43 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories today in Des Moines:

1. Authorities are searching for a teen charged with attempted murder after he escaped in Waterloo while being transported to a juvenile detention center on Monday night. Officers say the escapee, 17-year-old Simon Gerson Agar, jumped from a vehicle at the intersection of Broadway Street and Wagner Road and disappeared on foot. Agar was last seen wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, blue sweatshirt, and orange sandals. (Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier)
2. Pharmacies across the Des Moines metro area are running low on COVID-19 at-home test kits. Polk County health officials are encouraging residents who are not sick to consider other testing options due to increased testing volumes during the holiday season. Two rapid testing sites are also still available through Des Moines Public Schools. (KCCI Des Moines)
3. Des Moines residents who donate blood or plasma to the Red Cross in January will have a chance to win Super Bowl LVI tickets. Anyone who signs up for an appointment to donate during a Red Cross drive will be automatically entered for a chance to win the tickets. Donors will also be entered for the chance to win a home theater package. (Des Moines Patch)

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Today in Des Moines:

• ALI's Tree of Hope At Animal Lifeline of Iowa (9:00 AM)
• LifeServe Blood Donation Drive At Outlets of Des Moines (10:00 AM)
• Teen Advocacy 101 At Urbandale Public Library (2:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Des Moines Police Department detectives have made an arrest in a months-long, multi-state fraud investigation that began in August. (Facebook)
• Des Moines Public School students raised over $4,000 for the Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantry. (Instagram)
• A new full-time firefighter with the West Des Moines Fire Department, Jeff Smith, was sworn in on Monday night by Mayor Steve Gaer. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Katarina Betterton

About me: Katarina loves to read and write. Her hobbies include cooking her grandmother's recipes, learning new languages, and crafting. She and her husband live with their mutt, Ledger, and Shiba Inu, Mikasa, who are both way too cute for their own good.