🌱 Patch AM: How a $57 million RecPlex upgrade will change West Des Moines events

Hi West Des Moines! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a $57 million RecPlex upgrade will change West Des Moines events
• What West Des Moines needs to know about the new measles exposures
• See how a West Des Moines Hawkeye fan stole the Hat Parade

Also on today's calendar: After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 83 and low of 66 degrees.
• Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 88, low: 62. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Casey's buys naming rights to new ice rink at West Des Moines' RecPlex (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — West Des Moines' RecPlex is adding a new 3,000-seat arena and Casey's-branded ice rink, slated to open in fall 2027 and funded largely by local option sales tax and private support. The $57 million expansion will bring more hockey, figure skating, tournaments, concerts, and community events, plus extra parking and meeting space, strengthening the city's role as a regional sports and events hub.
   

• State News: Officer Shooting Suspect Arrested, Measles Outbreak Confirmed, Fair Sets Attendance Record (westerniowatoday.com) — West Des Moines residents are being warned that recent measles cases in southern Iowa may have exposed people at locations in West Des Moines, Des Moines, Clive, and Bloomfield on several dates. Health officials say 12 cases are confirmed and they're working with families and community leaders to track contacts and promote vaccination. The same statewide roundup also covers a Muscatine officer shooting arrest, license plate reader concerns, record Iowa State Fair attendance, and Winnebago layoffs.
   

• Iowa State Fair's Hat Parade highlights creativity and personal stories (kcci.com) — A West Des Moines resident, Denny Bruns, brought some local flair to the Iowa State Fair's Hat Parade, showing off a Hawkeye-themed hat he first wore to the 1982 Rose Bowl. The contest on the Bill Riley Stage highlighted Iowans' creativity and personal stories, from patriotic tributes to whimsical milk-and-cookie costumes, with every participant earning a ribbon.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday August 22
• After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class →
  , West Des Moines
  9:00 am

📣 West Des Moines Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• 2026 Board Meeting
  Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Patrick's Restaurant, Teams
  7:00 am
• Hittin' the Bricks
  Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce 301 S 10th St Adel, IA
  7:30 am
• CHOW Chamber Happenings, Opportunities & Wisdom
  Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Country Lane Lodge 29300 Prospect Cir. Adel, IA 50003
  11:30 am
• Excel & Launch - Open House
  Johnston Comm School District Johnston, IA 50131
  4:00 pm
• Summit - Open House
  Johnston Comm School District Johnston, IA 50131
  4:00 pm
• Elementary Meet the Teacher
  Johnston Comm School District Johnston, IA 50131
  4:00 pm
• VAL Open House
  Valerius Elementary School Urbandale, IA 50322
  4:30 pm
• Library Board Meeting →
  Johnston, IA Calendar, 6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
  5:30 pm
• Trivia @ Middlebrook Mercantile →
  Middlebrook Mercantile, 4125 Cumming Ave, Cumming
  6:00 pm
• Park Board Meeting →
  Waukee, IA Calendar, 230 W. Hickman Rd., Waukee
  6:00 pm
• Board of Adjustment Meeting →
  Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410, Johnston
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making West Des Moines PatchAM possible:

• Tech Stack Digital Solutions — (515) 855-6499

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is it just me, or is the newest version of Alexa almost almost cringe in how it tries to sound like it's your best friend?
  You ask a question and it responds with something like "I am on it for you bro" or something so stupid like that. I literally said "what the heck did… (Nextdoor Olde English Village)

• PM Hotel Group posted a job opening for Hotel Public Space Attendant | SpringHill Suites DMW | West Des Moines, IA in West Des Moines. Apply here.
• ITA Group Inc posted a job opening for Manager - Air Operations in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.

🗞 Nearby News

Clive

• Windsor Heights explores converting abandoned rail corridor into trail along 73rd Street (kcci.com)
• Davis County solar microgrid powers measles vaccinations (kcci.com)
• desmoinescosmeticdentistrycenter (wordpress.com)

Urbandale

• Lahn says cancer crisis isn't partisan and it must be solved in Iowa (khqa.com)

Ok West 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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