Black Cat Ice Cream’s new downtown location opening soon
DES MOINES, Iowa — Black Cat Ice Cream announced it would be opening its downtown location this week. Owners announced in a post on Facebook that its new ice cream shop located at 1301 Locust Street would be opening on Friday, December 5. The new location replaces the Drake Neighborhood location, which closed in late...
Are the Roads Usually This Icy or Covered with This Much Snow?
A recent discussion on social media has raised questions about the typical road conditions in snowy weather, particularly in regards to the amount of ice and snow left on the roads after a snowfall. The original poster, who is from out of state and in the area for work, expressed surprise at the state of the roads,...
Jordan Creek’s Panera Bread will be replaced by conveyor belt sushi
After years of serving mall shoppers at Jordan Creek Town Center, Panera Bread will soon depart the largest shopping mall in Iowa. The fast-casual restaurant’s lease ends in June 2026, a spokesperson said, and a new tenant is ready to fill the space. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar plans to open the first conveyor-belt...
Bull kills elderly farmer who was checking the animal’s water supply in Iowa
A bull in Iowa tragically killed its elderly farmer earlier this year. The farmer had simply gone out to check that the animal had enough water to drink given the freezing winter temperatures. The local Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from the farmer’s family to the property after they found the man “severely...
Woman Spent Years Playing the Lottery with Her Husband. 8 Months After His Death,...
"This is maybe a sign and a gift from him," Marjory Rittman told lottery officials while claiming her prize
Historical Midwest Home With 8 Bedrooms Goes On the Market for $500K—but There’s a...
The 4,131-square-foot, eight-bedroom property is on the market for $500,000 and features three stories plus a basement.
Design, construction plans develop for Ames’ new solid waste facility
The design process is well underway for Ames' new solid waste disposal and recycling facility, with construction expected to start next spring. The city intends to construct a new Resource Recovery and Recycling campus along Freel Drive, just south of Lincoln Way, for about $16.8 million. The new facility will handle...
Trostel’s Greenbriar, after the gunslinger rode off
When Colorado cowboy Paul Trostel rode into Des Moines in the early 1970s, the city thought: appetizers meant a choice of shrimp cocktail, tomato juice or fruit cocktail; that wine choices were simply “red or white;” and that French dressings were all orange and very sweet. He changed Des Moines restaurant culture by...
Almost 100 residential units planned for Discovery Point development
Nearly 100 residential units are planned for a development called Discovery Point in the ISU Research Park area. Two properties, 3300 and 3200 University Boulevard, are owned by Hunziker Construction Services, Inc. The company plans to develop multiple buildings with a mix of apartment and dwelling units. Development...
When a minority leader stumbles, the whole community pays the price
“Catch Me If You Can” is one of my favorite Broadway musicals. It’s about the story of Frank Abagnale, a man who impersonated a pilot, doctor, lawyer and more, without ever finishing high school. I love singing the song “Fly, Fly Away,” which is sung by Abagnale’s love interest, Brenda. She acknowledges the false...
