Weird Iowa: Sexy Steve King, Trashy Honors to Urbandale, Trash-Talking Cops, and Wile E. Coyote Visits

In the long, strange, years-long battle for Iowa votes, this could be the weirdest story of all: Is Congressman Steve King the sexiest man in Des Moines?

The conservative Republican, who recently defeated Ames Democrat Christie Vilsack for Iowa's new 4th District, which includes Ames, is one of 124 people nominated for the sexiest person contest in the Des Moines Cityview publication.

Weird, but in a good way, is the news that the city of Urbandale received the Voice of the People Award for Excellence to honor its steller trash and recycling collection efforts.

Urbandale, we always knew you had a trashy side.

Then there was trash-talking with guns in West Des Moines this week.

The culprits? High-ranking officers with the West Des Moines Police Department, who won the award for most creative cookie during preparations for a fundraiser. The team is vying for the People's Choice Award at the Great Cookie Walk, which takes place Nov. 24 to raise money for the Youth Justice Initiative.

In weird animal news, Marion Patch asks the question: Do pit bulls get a bad rap? One of three dogs running loose in a Marion neighborhood was a pit bull mix that attempted to bite two people, tore their clothes and charged at officers, leading to a citation, police said.

And in even weirder animal news, a coyote attended a public meeting in Johnston to talk about -- what else? The influx of coyotes into the city.

Increased coyote sightings in town near a school have some residents concerned. Officials told people that the wild animals are scared of people and when humans and coyotes meet, just make noise to scare them away. And don't leave out pet food.

And finally, in weird crime news, an Iowa City man faces serious burglary and assault charges after a resident walked into his garage to find a burglar inside. The homeowner struggled with . Neighbors who heard the ruckus came to the aide of the resident to subdue Jones until police arrived.

More Weird:

Weird Iowa: Constipated Cow, Totally Indecent Exposure and Losing is the New Winning

Weird Iowa: Dad Invades Soccer Game; Dad Calls Cops on Son; King Explains Comparing Immigrants to Dogs

Weird Iowa: Mother's Day Brawl; Stranger Danger; Reward Offered for Vandals; WWII and WWI Artifacts Stolen from Museum