UPDATE: Who’s Packing Heat in Polk County? House Committee Unanimously Backs Keeping Records Secret

After the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, CT, and resulting gun control debate, Polk County saw a spike in concealed weapon permit applications.

West Des Moines Lawmakers Prominent in Several Debates Under Way in Legislature

From the elimination of straight-ticket voting to property tax reform to Medicaid expansion, local lawmakers are speaking out. Also, one West Des Moines mom is watching a bill to reinstate the death penalty.

New Homes Eyed for West Des Moines Human Services, Business Incubator

Should the city's Human Services office and a business incubator move to new locations in Valley Junction? The city’s finance subcommittee is mulling those options, along with whether it makes sense for West Des Moines to establish its own Sister C

UPDATE: West Des Moines Ward 2 Voters Choose John Mickelson in Special Council Election

Councilman-elect John Mickelson and Lucas Casey react to Tuesday's special election results. Mickelson said he's excited about getting to work "to make the city a better place."

West Des Moines, Waukee to Tackle Intersection of Alice's Road and 105th Street in 2013

The biggest road project in the West Des Moines city capital improvement plan for the coming fiscal year is constructing the interchange of Alice's Road and 105th Street as Waukee extends Alice's Road.

West Des Moines Democrat to Challenge Tom Latham for Congressional Seat

Mike Sherzan, a financial services broker, announced Monday that he will seek the 3rd District Congressional seat now held by Republican Tom Latham.

West Des Moines Ward 2 Council Election: Who’s on Ballot, When Polls are Open, Where to Find Your Polling Place

Special election will be held Tuesday.

Lucas Casey and John Mickelson, West Des Moines Council Candidates, Talk About Water Tower, Fire Station Woes

We asked the two candidates in Tuesday’s special to answer questions about Ward 2 priorities, but also about politicians they admire – Lincoln, Ike, Ron Paul and Iowa’s own Governor Robert D. Ray got mentions.

AJ Spiker Says on IPTV Iowa Republicans are For 'One Man-One Woman Marriage'

Spiker's anti-gay marriage comments were made during this week's Iowa Press airing 7:30 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday.

West Des Moines Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

Denture maker admits he didn’t claim more than $200,000 in income in four tax years.

West Des Moines Developer Randal 'Randy' Walters Sentenced to Prison

In addition to prison sentence, Walters ordered to make restitution to victims.

UPDATE: West Des Moines Leaders Say They Won't Squash Some Vegetable Growers’ Plans

A neighbor’s front-yard corn plot was an eyesore, resident complained. But now he's withdrawn his complaint.

Water Tower ‘Too Short’ and West Des Moines Water Works Officials Want to Know Why

$3.2 million water tower built in 2010 has never been brought online.

Will Desire to Gain Voters Prompt Iowa GOP to Change Course on Gay Marriage – Or at Least Muzzle Activists?

A cultural war is taking place within the Republican Party. In Iowa, where gay marriage opponents and social conservatives Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee have come out winners in the first-in-the-nation caucus, the conversation is critically important.

GOP Poll: Tea Party Favorite Steve King Leads Over Tom Latham, Brad Zaun for Harkin's U.S. Senate Seat

Congressman King leads potential Republican nominees, including Congressman Tom Latham and Zaun, for Tom Harkin's U.S. Senate seat, according to a poll by Harper Polling. But Politico wonders, "Could King actually win?"

COMING SUNDAY: Will Desire to Gain New Voters Prompt Iowa GOP to Change Course on Gay Marriage?

In Iowa, where fiercely anti-gay marriage candidates Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee have come out winners in the first-in-the-nation caucus, a cultural war is taking place within the Republican Party.

Seasonal Government Jobs in West Des Moines: Pay Scale, Drug Tests, How to Apply

Links to apply online for several Parks and Recreation positions. The West Des Moines Fire Department is also looking for a paid on-call volunteer firefighter.

Iowa Gender Parity Group: Choosing Harkin’s Successor Shouldn’t be Limited to Boy’s Club

Iowa shares a dubious distinction with Mississippi: They are the only two states never to have sent a woman to Congress or the governor’s mansion.

Postage Rate Increase: What's the New Cost of a Stamp?

Stamps and Priority Mail services went up in price Sunday, and a new worldwide stamp is now available. So how much is a stamp today? Here's a handy list of the new rates from the U.S. Postal Service.

When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

The IRS has announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date of when you can file plus some tax preparers in West Des Moines to get help on your taxes and financial planning.

West Des Moines Fire Chief Wants $600,000 to Add Firefighters, Staff Station Built in 2007

A nearby station wasn’t staffed, so a neighbor kept a fire under control with a garden hose while waiting for West Des Moines firefighters to respond Saturday.

Two Seek to Fill Ward 2 Vacancy on West Des Moines City Council

Lucas Casey and John Mickelson will square off in a special election on Feb. 12.

SHARE: Photos, Videos from the 2013 Presidential Inauguration

Are you attending the inauguration on Jan. 21? Upload your photos or videos and share the experience with your neighbors.

Former West Des Moines Boy Scout Leader, Mid-Iowa Council Named in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

An attorney says former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's sexual abuse conviction "gave a lot of people time to reflect and time to gird themselves and get their inner strength to maybe go forward."

Gathering Paperwork for Tax Preparer in West Des Moines? IRS Announces New 2013 Tax Rates and Standard Deductions

It's tax time again in West Des Moines and elsewhere. Standard deductions will increase, but the ceiling for itemized deductions decrease in 2013, plus other changes that will affect your taxes this year and places in the area where you can go to g

West Des Moines Lawmakers Differ on Medicaid Expansion, Seen as Key in Funding Mental Health Care Redesign

If Iowa opts out of the Medicaid expansion, poor Iowans with severe mental illnesses – one in six, according to a recent study – could be harmed.

Schneider, New State Senator from West Des Moines, Takes Oath of Office

Republican Charles Schneider was elected to represent Senate District 22 in a special election last month.

Legislators Say $20 Million in Mental Health Funding Needed; DHS Says Only $1.5 Million Required

Mental health advocates argue that past reform efforts – and there have several of them – have all been driven by limited access, eligibility and affordability and have failed for the same reason: failure by the Legislature to fully pay for the programs

West Des Moines Developer Kline Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Fraud

In exchange for a plea agreement, federal prosecutors dropped seven wire fraud charges and recommended a lighter prison term.

COMING SUNDAY: Mom Whose Son Struggled with Mental Illness Says Shootings Should Change Conversation in Iowa, Nationally

In the coming days, Patch will look at Iowa’s mental health system, its deficiencies and whether a spate of mass shootings should change the conversation.

Mom Whose Son Struggled with Mental Illness Says Shootings Should Change Conversation in Iowa, Nationally

One in 17 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or a major depressive disorder. With a spate of mass shootings, mental health advocates say it's time to regard mental illness as a public health issue

$1 Million Cost Estimated for Repairs at Fire Station; Replacing Leaky Windows, Eliminating Mold

Work a decade ago to fix a leaking roof, skylight and windows at a West Des Moines fire station did not solve problems that have led to damage and mold. The skylight even sparked a recent fire in a truck bay.

Legislators Talk Gas Tax Hike, Commercial Property Tax Reform at West Des Moines Event

Lawmakers support commercial property tax reform, but warn against "strangling" cities by limiting their ability to provide essential services.

West Des Moines Recruiting Now for Summer 2013 Seasonal Jobs

More than 100 seasonal positions are available with the city of West Des Moines and many will be filled by early spring.

UPDATE: Two-Way Race Shaping Up in West Des Moines Ward 2 Special Council Election

Lucas Casey says he's a candidate for special election on Feb. 12

City Leaders to Honor West Des Moines Police Officer, Chaplain with Lifesaving Awards

Officer Chris Morgan and Chaplain Steve Freeman are credited with saving a man's life.

West Des Moines Will Collect Tree Branches from Massive Winter Storm Draco

Here's everything you need to know for city public works crews to pick up storm debris.

Suburban Lawmakers Gather at Legislative Breakfast Jan. 8 in West Des Moines

Eight lawmakers are expected to attend who represent West Des Moines, Waukee and Clive.

Snow Storm Draco: Thursday Garbage Collection Canceled; Parking Ban to Start; Will Schools Be Closed?

As the first blizzard of the season heads for West Des Moines, preparations are under way to keep the roads clear. And West Des Moines schools are watching the skies and roads to see if classes will be held Thursday.

From the Pulpit to Politics – Pastor Made Religion an Issue in Fiery Iowa Senate Primary: 2012 in Review

The late Sen. Pat Ward was in a tough fight to remain in the Senate in the June 5 GOP primary for a district. Ward went on to win the primary election against Pastor Jeff Mullen, but died of breast cancer before the November general election.