Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How an Iowa State professor found a second career welding in Ames
Coming up on the Ames Patch calendar: Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone in Ames, IA on Jan 27 — I'm Julie Murphy
Cheers Ames! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How an Iowa State professor found a second career welding in Ames
- How an Ames OWI case factors into a therapist’s discipline
Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Amesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 32 and low of 20 degrees.
- Sunday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 37, low: 27.
- Monday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 47 and low of 30 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Our favorite episodes of The Fabricator Podcast from 2025 (thefabricator.com) — A 2025 Fabricator Podcast highlight features Iowa State professor and part-time welder Jo Mackiewicz, who works at Howe’s Welding & Metal Fabrication in Ames and shares how communication skills translate to the shop floor. The article runs through hosts’ favorite episodes, spotlighting creative career paths, nonprofit training programs, and small manufacturers, but Mackiewicz’s Ames-based story stands out for local readers interested in welding careers. 
Find out what's happening in Amesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Central Iowa respiratory therapist faces multiple disciplinary charges (kcci.com) — A central Iowa respiratory therapist facing state disciplinary charges previously had a high-BAC drunken driving arrest investigated by Ames police, who reportedly found his car in a ditch with him inside. Regulators now allege habitual intoxication, negligence, and failure to cooperate, with a hearing set for early February 2026.
📸 Around Ames
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ames
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone in Ames, IA on Jan 27 — I'm Julie Murphy
Prairie Moon Winery, 3801 W 190th St, Ames
7:00 pm
Tuesday January 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Story County Conservation Board Meeting
Story County , 56461 180th St. , Ames
5:30 pm
Monday January 12
📣 Ames Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Books and Beverages
London Underground , 212 Main St , Ames
6:00 pm - Pick Your Project Workshop
Board & Brush Creative Studio - Ames , 405 Northwestern Ave , Ames
2:30 pm - City Council Meeting
Gilbert, IA Calendar , 105 SE 2ND STREET , Gilbert
6:30 pm - Preschool Storytime & crafts at the Library
Gilbert, IA Calendar , 207 Main Street , Gilbert
8:30 am - Gilbert Library is Open
Gilbert, IA Calendar , 207 Main Street , Gilbert
2:00 pm - Maker Nights at Reiman Gardens: Seed Art
Reiman Gardens , 1407 University Blvd , Ames
6:00 pm - Story County Watershed meeting
Gilbert, IA Calendar , 105 SE 2ND STREET , Gilbert
10:00 am - Live 🎶 🎶 with Taylor King
1850 Homestead , 57304 IA-210 , Cambridge
7:00 pm - Christmas Tree Pickup Ends
Gilbert, IA Calendar Gilbert, IA 50105 - Carroll Girls Varsity Basketball @ Gilbert
Gilbert High School , 312 Gretten St , Gilbert
6:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Monday January 12
Tuesday January 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Ames PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Black Marketers Association of America (BMAA) posted a job opening for Assistant Professor of Practice in Digital Media & Communications at Iowa State University in Ames. Apply here.
- City Of Ames Iowa posted a job opening for Public Safety Dispatcher in Ames. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ames here.
🗞 Nearby News
Boone
- Casotti Sworn in, Shares His Budget and Growth Goals (kwbg.com)
- Iowans hit the trails on New Year's for first day hikes (wqad.com)
- Iowa crime: One charged in convenience store break-in caught on camera (kcci.com)
Polk City
- Iowa farmers partner with NRCS to invest millions in conservation funding (corydontimes.com)
Ankeny
Ok Ames! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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