Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Waukee schools handled a gun report that proved non-threatening
Happening soon: Member Orientation on the Waukee Patch calendar

Hello again Waukee! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Waukee schools handled a gun report that proved non-threatening
- Why Waukee's head football coach will miss the first two games
- How Waukee's growth could shield residents from Iowa's new tax cap
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Humid; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 86 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 89, low: 71.
- Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 91 and low of 70 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Waukee High School Lockdown Lifted After Gun Report Found No Threat (ground.news) — Waukee schools briefly went into lockdown Friday morning after a report of someone with a gun near Waukee High School, but police later confirmed there was no active threat. Waukee High and Prairieview quickly returned to normal operations once officers and Westcom Dispatch determined no weapon was found, though a large emergency response surrounded the campus.
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2. Meta Settlement, Des Moines Budget Cuts, Skydiver Recovery and Waukee Coach Suspension (westerniowatoday.com) — Waukee readers should know their high school head football coach, Gabriel Bakker, is suspended for the first two games after an OWI arrest, with assistant coach Matt Jeter stepping in. The broader roundup also covers Iowa's Meta settlement money, Des Moines' proposed budget cuts, and a Knoxville skydiver's recovery.
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3. Cities grapple with uncertainty and concern as they gear up for budget season under new property tax law (iowapublicradio.org) — Waukee officials say the new state property tax cap will likely slow city hiring but expect strong new construction to mostly offset revenue losses, keeping residents' bills relatively stable. The law's 2% general-fund cap and new homestead exemption are already forcing many Iowa cities to cut services, raise fees, or delay projects as they prepare budgets for 2027 and beyond.
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4. Pella High School given all clear after bomb threat determined to be fake (kcci.com) — Waukee residents should know that local schools were locked down Friday after a report of an armed person near Waukee High School and Prairieview, but no weapon or injuries were found and classes resumed. The same report also describes a fake bomb threat at Pella High and explains Iowa's tougher felony penalties for dangerous swatting calls.
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5. 3 takeaways from Ankeny's Iowa HS football win over Waukee Northwest (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Waukee Northwest's football team opened its season with a hard-fought 28–20 loss to Ankeny, despite preseason expectations for the Wolves. The game highlighted big plays from Ankeny's ground attack and a standout two-way performance by senior Dawson Whitinger, while Waukee Northwest battled through key injuries and still moved the ball effectively.
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📸 Around Waukee
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 Waukee
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Member Orientation
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Adel City Hall 301 S 10th Street Adel, IA 50003
10:00 am - Volleyball: ADM JV1 & 9A Quad (Junior Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
5:00 pm - Football: ADM vs Winterset (Junior Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
6:00 pm - Chamber Closed | Labor Day
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce 301 S 10th St, Adel, IA 50003 - Adel Farmers Market
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Beginning at 2pm through 8pm, the following intersections will be affected: Main St & N 9th St Main St & N 10th St Court & N 10th St Road closures will remain in place throughout the market event. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes.
4:00 pm - Waukee Walkers - Community Walking Group →
Waukee, IA Calendar, 700 NW Douglas Pkwy., Waukee
5:00 pm - Morning on the Bricks
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Raccoon Valley Community House 1016 Main Street Adel, IA 50003
8:30 am - Waukee Farmers Market →
Waukee, IA Calendar Waukee, IA 50263
4:00 pm
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
📣 Waukee Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Volleyball: Harlan Tournament (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
8:00 am - Girls Cross Country: Johnston Sunrise Invitational (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
8:00 am - Boys Cross Country: Johnston Sunrise Invitational (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
8:00 am - Boys Cross Country: ()
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
8:00 am
Saturday August 29
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
- Tomorrow is the first home football game at Valley Stadium, and parking will be busy.
Please plan ahead, arrive early, and park only in permitted areas. Concrete marked stalls are strongly recommended. Grass parking is only allowed in… (Nextdoor ) - We're looking for a volunteer to be a friendly neighbor in Winterset.
Social Visits, Attend Local Events, Have a Meal, Make Phone Calls, Play Games, or Share a Hobby. This older adult is male and lives in Winterset… (Nextdoor )
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Waukee. Apply here.
- Fleet Farm posted a job opening for Convenience Store Team Member in Waukee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waukee here.
Ok Waukee! 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 bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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