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Missing Polk County man reunited with family
A missing Runnells man has been reunited with his family. A release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 5:15 p.m. Friday said Pedro Gonzalez Ochoa, who had been missing since Thursday night, was located. Additional information is not expected. The sheriff's office initially asked for help around 1 p.m. after taking a missing person's report around 10 a.m. José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Missing Polk County man reunited with family
DMPD investigating crash with injury in Oak Park Neighborhood
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a crash that occurred in the Oak Park Neighborhood Friday night. At around 8 p.m. officers with the police department responded to a report of a crash with injury near the intersection of 12th Street and Euclid Avenue. All lanes of traffic on Euclid […]
Meet 'the mustache guy,' one of the many pilots competing at the National Balloon Classic
INDIANOLA, Iowa — This Friday marks the beginning of the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. It’s the biggest competitive ballooning event in the U.S., with organizers likening it to the Indianapolis 500 of the ballooning world. The National Balloon Classic has been coming to town since the 70's....
Escaramuza charra Quetzalli's growth and impact across the globe
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — In the last three years, one of Des Moines escaramuza charra teams has already reached international success. Most recently, being featured in National Geographic. Quetzalli, made up of eight women and a few alternates, compete charrería: a Mexican rodeo where charros and escaramuza perform a...
Des Moines University to offer free physicals, medical services for students ahead of fall semester
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines University will offer free physicals and other medical services later this month for students returning to school this fall, a service the university has offered for more than 10 years. Video above: Des Moines University partnering with other local schools to bring simulation...
Genesis Youth Foundation, Iowa Workforce Development to host job fair
Genesis Youth Foundation, a nonprofit serving immigrant youths and families, announced it will host a job fair on July 31 in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development. The event aims to assist the immigrant and refugee communities with finding new employment opportunities following the Tyson and Smithfield plant closures. The job fair will be held from 1-3 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope + Elim, 2500 University Ave. in Des Moines. For more information, call 515-343-0149.
To century loop or not? Riders contemplate 100 miles on Day 6 of RAGBRAI 2024
FAIRFIELD — As fatigued RAGBRAI riders inched closer to the finish, they were confronted with a key question on Friday: To century loop or not to century loop? The John Karras Century Loop, dedicated to the late RAGBRAI co-founder, is an optional addition to the route that allows riders to hit 100 miles for the day. People who achieve the feat are rewarded with a patch. ...
Annual golf classic raises awareness, funds for ALS
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — An annual golf classic is raising awareness for ALS in Pleasant Hill. The Michael R. Myers Golf Classic teed off on Friday morning at Copper Creek Golf Club. The event raises money to fund research for the ALS Association. Currently, there are no effective treatments for the disease.
Nurse awaiting trial on drug conspiracy charges agrees to stop practicing
A Des Moines nurse charged last year with conspiracy to deliver controlled substances has agreed to stop practicing. Jennifer Spieker, 42, of Des Moines has signed an agreement with the Iowa Board of Nursing in which she has agreed to stop practicing nursing and have her license placed on “suspended” status. The board says Spieker […]
DMPS will have 12 new principals this year. Get to know them here:
Des Moines Public Schools students at 12 schools will see new principals come the first day of school. The new hires include the return of a previous principal and three administrators moving to new positions within Iowa's largest school district. ...
Ames softball player Katie Riesselman was voted the Ames Tribune's Athlete of the Week
Ames softball player Katie Riesselman is the Ames Tribune's Athlete of the Week winner for the week of July 15-21. Riesselman won Athlete of the Week with a whopping 93% of the vote. Collins-Maxwell softball player Erica Houge took second with 4%. ...
Fast-Growing National Burger Chain Coming to Eastern Iowa
One of the fastest-growing burger restaurant chains in the nation will be coming to Eastern Iowa!. KCRG reports that Atlanta-based cheeseburger chain Smalls Sliders is planning multiple locations in Eastern Iowa, prioritizing the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, and Burlington. While the company won't say which city will get the first Iowa location, you can expect the first Iowa location of Smalls Sliders to open in 2025.
Casey’s Buys Nearly 200 Stores In Texas, Alabama, Florida And Mississippi
Ankeny, Iowa — The Ankeny-based Casey’s convenience store chain announced the acquisition today Friday of 198 stores in the southern US that includes 148 in Texas and 50 in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Casey’s is purchasing the CEFCO convenience stores for more than one-point-one BILLION dollars. Casey’s CEO...
Blood drive planned for Aug. 1
DES MOINES – Local physicians call summertime trauma season. The need for blood rises and the number of blood donations seems to decline creating a scary situation for the community blood supply. All blood donors are being urged to donate as soon as possible. Someone requires a blood transfusion...
American Pickers’ Frank Fritz relies on ‘long-term nursing care’ after stroke as conservator demands access to his funds
AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz has been relying on “skilled nursing care” that will be “long-term” two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. Frank, 60, has been under a conservatorship and guardianship since he suffered a stroke at his Le Claire, Iowa home in July 2022, as he has been in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation.
With Less Than A Month Until School, New IKM-Manning Superintendent Excited To Be Serving The District
With the many projects scheduled for the IKM-Manning School District this summer, the new superintendent, Dr. Angela Huseman, has been busy ensuring everything is ready for the 2024-25 school year. Huseman was selected earlier this year as a shared superintendent between the IKM-Manning and Tri-Center School Districts, replacing former Superintendent Trevor Miller, who will now oversee the Exira-EHK and Audubon Community School District. Huesman, a Carroll native who graduated from Carroll High School in 1985, wasn’t thinking of pursuing a degree in education, but looking back, she realized it was her calling.
Vandals paint racist and anti-gay symbols and slurs in NE Iowa
Cedar Falls is fighting a wave of hate speech that’s appearing through graffiti. Several sites along the city’s trails and public infrastructure were spray-painted with swastikas and homophobic slurs this week. Sonja Bock, a member of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission, points to the current divisive political...
Carroll City Council Considers Options For Fire-Damaged NW Park Shelter House
The Carroll City Council is working to determine how to proceed with restoration work after a fire destroyed the shelter house in Northwest Park last month. JEO Consulting examined the structure to determine if it could be salvaged, and the JEO engineer, William Murphy, says the damage was extensive. The...
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