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Polk County launches a new solar initiative
Solar panels are being added to Polk County's administration, River Place offices and North Side Community Center buildings.Why it matters: The system will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 300 homes and kick off what could become a massive collection of government-owned electricity fields.Catch up fast: Three years ago, Polk County set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 90%.Transitioning to an electric-based vehicle fleet and installing new heating and cooling systems are among the recent steps.Driving the news: Supervisors approved a $2.3 million contract for the solar project this week.Construction will...
Des Moines food writer Wini Moranville releases new memoir
Local food writer Wini Moranville's new memoir comes out Wedesday.Why it matters: "Love Is My Favorite Flavor" offers a behind-the-scenes look into Iowa's culinary evolution, awakened from a "meat-and-potatoes" slumber in the 1970s to one that's globally inspired and locally purveyed.Catch up fast: Moranville's work as a food journalist spans about three decades, including as a national wine critic. She' wrote more than 750 restaurant reviews as the former "Datebook Diner" for the DSM Register.She currently writes "Wini's Food Stories," an electronic newsletter published on Substack.Fun fact: Moranville's "humble" start in DSM's restaurant industry began as a server and lasted...
Des Moines offers free curbside cleanup after derecho-producing storms
A line of Monday storms, including at least one tornado in Des Moines, later formed into a derecho in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.Why it matters: The metro sidestepped some of the system's worst punches but still suffered significant losses.Zoom in: The DSM tornado was classified as an EF1 and traveled about seven miles.The Merle Hay and Franklin Avenue neighborhoods, Urbandale and Windsor Heights saw the worst of it, WHO-13 reports, including topped trees, downed power lines and building damage.No injuries were reported from the storm but at least one person suffered a leg injury believed to have occurred during cleanup, the DSM Register reports.What's next: Damage assessment continues and recovery efforts are underway, according to Polk County Emergency Management.Affected DSM areas will receive free curbside storm debris collection, city officials announced Tuesday.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Des Moines' iconic Riccelli's restaurant could be demolished
The former site of Riccelli's Italian Restaurant would be demolished to make room for two new buildings under a proposal before the Des Moines Plan & Zoning Commission Thursday.Why it matters: The news means a prominent spot along Indianola Avenue could see new life after years of vacancy.Catch up fast: The iconic restaurant, started in the 1960s by the son of Italian immigrants, closed in 2020 during the pandemic.The Riccelli family recently agreed to sell the location, but that sale hasn't closed yet.State of play: Lillian Riccelli made the rezoning request, but the family didn't realize the prospective buyers' plans...
Des Moines' new skyline art dedicated to former school board member
New permanent art was recently added to the top of Mainframe Studios.Zoom in: "Inhale…. Exhale.…" is being dedicated to Teree Caldwell-Johnson, a longtime Des Moines school board member and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood who died earlier this year.It lights up in a rhythm similar to breaths to amplify a message of resiliency and to maintain calm in the face of adversity, according to a press release.What next: A sunset dedication ceremony will be at Oakridge, Aug. 2 at 8:15pm.1401 Center Street, in the parking lot of building #301. Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Waukee Korean fried chicken opens, Teehee's plans new spot
Here are some of the latest restaurants and bars that have opened (or closed) their doors across the metro.OpeningsHiFi Brew Lounge: The brewery opened recently at the former Fox Brewing site in Valley Junction at 103 S. 11th St., WDM.It features a new second-level patio and lunch and dinner menus.Chikin Lickin: Known for Korean fried chicken, it's the second of its kind to open this year in Waukee. 1196 SE University Ave.Teriyaki Madness: The Seattle-based chain opens its first metro restaurant on July 16 near Jordan Creek Town Center at 160 Jordan Creek Pkwy., #160, WDM.Closings and relocationsTeehee's Comedy Club shared in late June that it was holding a "send off" for its location at 15th and Walnut streets in Des Moines. Its site says it will share its new location this winter.The club's owners didn't respond to Axios' request for comment. They are hosting pop-up shows this summer, including Saturday at Big Grove Brewery.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
An Iowa bike advocate was hit by a car on a RAGBRAI inspection ride
Bike safety is always top of mind for Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition — but especially after he was hit by a driver during RAGBRAI's pre-ride inspection.Why it matters: Iowa roads have become less safe for everyone, including drivers, since 2020. Pedestrians and cyclists, however, have seen the worst safety statistics with the Des Moines metro reporting a five-year high in serious injuries and fatalities in 2022.Context: RAGBRAI's route inspection team rides the same roads as the July event to identify any "unsafe traffic patterns" and hazards that may need to be fixed beforehand, according to...
Des Moines reaches new record high home sales prices
Home sale prices recently hit a new high in the Des Moines metro, up 55% since before the pandemic, according to new data from Redfin.Why it matters: Strong home values build homeowner wealth and contribute to the local economy but can also worsen affordability gaps for low-income families, which metro officials have battled for years.By the numbers: The median sales price of a metro home was $300,000 in May, up from $193,500 in January 2019.Our prices remain below the national price average, which climbed 61% during that time, from about $272,000 to $440,000, per Redfin.Separately: Data from the DSM Area...
Polk County seeks courthouse-adjacent redevelopment
The Polk County government is seeking redevelopment proposals for nearly two acres adjacent to the courthouse.Why it matters: It's prime downtown real estate that could extend the vibrancy of Court Avenue, according to the county's request to developers.State of play: The county purchased surface parking lots from Wells Fargo Properties last year.Driving the news: Five contiguous and vacant parcels for development are being offered for development.Ground-level retail, affordable housing, an indoor park and an activity center are among the ideas previously generated for the site by residents, DSM city planners and downtown groups.What's next: Developers have until Sept. 20 to respond.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Ask Axios: Have people fallen from the Iowa State Fair Sky Glider?
"How often do people fall from the Iowa State Fair Sky Glider? Like do they have numbers? It's always been a fear of mine when taking my kiddos."— Eric Doll, WDMAnswer: Rest easy, Eric! Nobody has fallen from the glider in its nearly 50-year history."We certainly want to keep it that way," fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson tells Axios.Yes, but: At least 56 people were stranded for more than an hour — including four rescued via a 100-foot fire truck ladder — during the ride's debut, according to a DSM Register story from 1975.A motor overheated after operators repeatedly stopped the aerial ride for elderly people.No injuries were reported.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Des Moines' iconic botanical dome gets a lit makeover
Greater DSM Botanical Garden has a new outdoor lighting system that illuminates its iconic dome in different colors.Driving the news: The inaugural dome lighting is at dusk Thursday during the attraction's Music in the Garden concert.Guests will give a countdown as the lights go up.If you go: The concert starts at 6:30pmTickets are $12 for adults; $9 for children between 2 and 12; and free for children 1 and younger.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Your guide to this year's new Iowa State Fair foods
The Iowa State Fair on Tuesday announced the 84 foods that will debut at this year's event.What's next: A panel of local celebrity judges — including Axios' Linh Ta — will help determine the top three to compete for the coveted Peoples' Choice Award next Tuesday.The ultimate winner will be determined by fairgoers.The three we're most excited to try:Linh: Candied Bacon Gnocchi, Hot Cheeto Float and deep-fried bubble gum.Jason: Ragin' Raspberry Ravioli, Walking Frito Pie and the Chicken Mac Attack Bowl.The complete list:• Apple Fries• Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll• Barbie Era Funnel Cake• Beer Belly Fries• BLT on a Stick•...
Unusual scorpion, lizards in Des Moines' new zoo exhibit
Blank Park Zoo has a new exhibit of reptiles, amphibians and insects.Zoom in: The newbies include a Jamaican Boa, an axolotl, an arboreal alligator lizard, Golfodulcean poison dart frogs, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and an emperor scorpion.A Fiji banded iguana, a prehensile tail skink and a recently hatched pheasant pigeon chick are also at the zoo's Discovery Center.If you go: Open daily from 9am-5pm.Tickets: $15 for children, $20 for adults.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Unusual scorpion, lizards in Des Moines' new zoo exhibit
Blank Park Zoo has a new exhibit of reptiles, amphibians and insects.Zoom in: The newbies include a Jamaican Boa, an axolotl, an arboreal alligator lizard, Golfodulcean poison dart frogs, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and an emperor scorpion.A Fiji banded iguana, a prehensile tail skink and a recently hatched pheasant pigeon chick are also at the zoo's Discovery Center.If you go: Open daily from 9am-5pm.Tickets: $15 for children, $20 for adults.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.
Iowa needs to prep for future flooding, precipitation
Iowa needs to make changes to prepare for a future with worsening inclement weather, state climatologist Justin Glisan said on Iowa Press.Why it matters: This year has demonstrated that our infrastructure is not sufficient to withstand the changed climate of today, let alone the impacts on the horizon.Driving the news: 2024 has been a weather rollercoaster, starting with polar vortex conditions during the Iowa caucus, followed by an unseasonably warm February.An EF-4 tornado — one of the strongest-ever in western Iowa — killed four people in Greenfield in May.It was also the eight-wettest spring on record statewide. Spring flooding resulted...
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