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:
Also on today's calendar: Blue Plate Mystery Dinner & Auction and 10 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. More details on the future of Valley West Mall and the developer (kcci.com) — Valley West Mall in West Des Moines has finally been sold to local developer Threshold Capital, which is now asking a court to change JCPenney's long-term lease so the site can be transformed. City economic officials say the mostly empty mall has dragged down tax revenue, and the new plan envisions mixed-use housing, retail, entertainment, and recreation to revitalize the 58-acre property.
2. 20 hottest new restaurants to try in the Des Moines metro now (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines diners get a new option at Jordan Creek Town Center with Doner Street, a halal Turkish spot serving doner wraps, bowls and baklava in the food court. It's one of 20 notable restaurant openings around the Des Moines metro, ranging from Laotian and Vietnamese kitchens to lakefront patios and national chains expanding into nearby suburbs.
3. WATCH: Justin and Adriana unbox Caitlin Clark's new shoes (who13.com) — Caitlin Clark's first Nike signature shoes are already on shelves in West Des Moines, with a pair snagged at Dick's Sporting Goods near Dowling Catholic. A WHO 13 segment gives locals a close-up look at the "Caitlin Blue" design, special sole messages, and personal touches that celebrate the West Des Moines basketball star's rise to national fame.
4. The October 1st Sports Report (omaha.com) — Hockey fans in West Des Moines can catch the Omaha Lancers visiting the Des Moines Buccaneers at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex this Friday at 7:05 p.m. The broader roundup covers college and pro sports across Omaha and Creighton programs, but closes with this USHL matchup that brings top-tier junior hockey action back to town.
5. These 2 real estate agent deaths helped rewrite industry safety rules (inman.com) — A 2011 murder of real estate agent Ashley Okland in West Des Moines helped spur stronger safety rules and tools for agents nationwide. The piece revisits her unsolved case's progress, including a 2026 murder charge, and explains how her death and a similar Arkansas killing led to new training, safety pledges and technology aimed at protecting agents on the job.
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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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
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