Albia man charged with vehicular homicide in teen’s death
Kaelin M. Meinders, 23, of Albia, has been charged with vehicular homicide by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in the death of a 15-year-old Des Moines boy back in September. The new charges also included operating under the influence 2nd offense and person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. Meinders...
Des Moines’ Quarterly Publication Now in Digital-Only Format
(Des Moines, IA) -- The City of Des Moines' quarterly publication is back in an digital-only format. The city says last year's budget cuts reduced the print edition to a once per year publication, but residents now can access the quarterly, digital-only version of City Source. As part of the digital format, stories...
UPDATE: Missing teen in Ankeny found safe
UPDATE: The Ankeny Police Department said Jayla has been found safe and has been reunited with her family. ANKENY, Iowa — The Ankeny Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing teen. APD is seeking Jayla Rodruguez, 16. Police said she hasn’t been staying with her guardian for some time, but...
Thousands of free pork loins given away at Operation Christmas Meal event
DES MOINES, Iowa– Operation Christmas Meal is set to give out 27,000 free pork loins in partnership with Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jess Hansen Foundation. The event is in its 15th year and will have stops at 16 different locations across Iowa. The first giveaway kicked off Friday morning at the Iowa […]
Woman Spent Years Playing the Lottery with Her Husband. 8 Months After His Death,...
An Iowa woman’s cherished ritual with her late husband has turned into a life-changing lottery win. Marjory Rittman of West Des Moines was doing what she’d done countless Saturday nights before on Nov. 29 — continuing a tradition she shared with her husband, Dale, who died in March. For years, the pair spent their...
California man sentenced to life in federal prison after organizing, coordinating drug shipments to...
DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa says a Tulare, California man has been sentenced to life in prison on drug charges. According to a release, Brian Joaquin Alvarado, 40, led an "extensive drug trafficking organization," and was found guilty for conspiracy to distribute...
CISS expects near capacity Wednesday night as temperatures drop below zero
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Polk County Extreme Temperature Plan has been active since Sunday morning, and Central Iowa Shelter and Services is preparing to reach near capacity as temperatures drop below zero Thursday morning. Under the plan, most libraries and community centers are available as warming centers during...
Des Moines Public Schools will start 2 hours late Dec. 4 due to cold
Des Moines Public Schools is delaying classes for two hours Thursday, Dec. 4, because of anticipated extreme cold. The "National Weather Service forecast for subzero temperatures tomorrow morning, including a wind chill nearing minus 20 during early morning bus routes," the district news release states as the reason...
Gift from nonprofit pays off home of fallen Des Moines firefighter
DES MOINES, Iowa — A national nonprofit is helping the family of fallen Des Moines firefighter, Malcolm Cortner, by paying off their mortgage. “He was just one of those guys you dream about having on your crew. [He] really takes care of business, makes everybody else feel at ease, and working with the public, he’s […]
Firefighters urge residents to clear fire hydrants from snow, take winter fire safety steps
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Many fires this time of year are often connected to trying to keep up with cold weather. About 46% of heater-related fires occur during the winter in the U.S., and local firefighters are reminding residents how to stay safe. Now that the first winter storm has passed, and it was […]
