Weirdest Ames News from 2012

Weird Iowa News from Ames has run the gamut from Rep. Steve King being nominated to a sexy contest to Harrison Barnes dressing up as Cat in the Hat. Here are some of the best picks from weird Ames news.

Weird Crimes

How can you bring a gun to a party and expect not to be arrested? Weird right?

A Des Moines man who allegedly fired one bullet during a hotel party in Ames, racked up 45 felony charges.  held at the Ames EconoLodge Motel early on Dec. 2, where more than 20 people had gathered.

Police said the multiple counts were related to the number of people Owens is accused of threatening.

An Ames man allegedly racked up his fourth public intoxication charge in Campustown recently, but was honest about it. When police saw a 25-year-old man urinating on a sidewalk near Welch Avenue and Hunt Streets Nov. 24 they asked him if he had anything to drink. The man replied, “A lot.” 

An 18-year-old Ames man who allegedly broke into a home while the residents were sleeping told police that “he only did what the Lord instructed him to do,” according to police reports. 

Corey Ramsey allegedly broke out three basement windows and set DVDs outside one of them and also knocked over a concrete statue, causing about $200 to $500 of damage. He was charged with interference with official acts and second-degree burglary, a Class C felony. 

Driving while under the influence is never a good idea, but doing it with a car full of drugs is definitely bad.

And throwing a beer can out the window while driving under the influence with a car full of drugs is worse, as 25-year-old Brandon Cory of Ames discovered when police stopped him for erratic driving. He faces a charge of operating while intoxicated and a number of felony drug charges.

It's a bit weird when a suspect admits to police their wrongdoing. A 19-year-old Ames man faces a string of charges including a felony after allegedly breaking out a car window while under the influence of alcohol. Ames police found Zachary Berg of Ames hiding in a bush when they arrived to investigate a report of a man breaking out car windows, records said. Berg fit the description police had, and when he first spoke to police he allegedly said, “I'm drunk,” but he refused to cooperate and tried to run, police said. 

Weird Politics

In the long, strange, years-long battle for Iowa votes, this could be the weirdest story of all: Is Congressman Steve King the sexiest man in Des Moines?

The conservative Republican, who recently defeated Ames Democrat Christie Vilsack for Iowa's new 4th District, which includes Ames, is one of 124 people nominated for the sexiest person contest in the Des Moines Cityview publication.

An Ames man has launched a last minute write-in campaign for Story County Sheriff. The key issue on his platform?

Ridding the area of a freight train gang called the Freight Train Riders of America. The former train engineer was arrested earlier this year for threatening three men, including two homeless men, with a knife while taking up the cause himself.

In Ames, voters are wondering if He was either caught cheating or forgot to wash his hands before the latest debate with 4^th District candidate Christie Vilsack. He was filmed with a small amount of writing on his left hand while debating; notes were forbidden. A spokesman said they were likely from the day before.

Other Weirdness

An Ames woman had a joyride of another sort. Well, it wasn't joyful at all. The accelerator on her 2001 Kia Sorento SUV got stuck, causing her to hit 115 mph going down the interstate. As with the last story, she was fine - thankfully. Be sure to watch the video from an ABC interview.

Former Ames standout and No. 7 pick in the NBA draft Harrison Barnes made the day of several kids when he showed up as "Cat in the Hat" for story time a the local library.

Douglas Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University in Ames, has an invitation to the White House next week to lead a discussion about video games affecting behavior. That's really more cool than weird -- it's definitely different. To be clear, he is not going to play video games, just talk about them. 

In honor of Ames art teacher Ron Heinen's retirement, Ames Patch featured some of the better videos produced by his students.

Nothing is weird about the short on bullying, but it's hard not to chuckle at the imaginations of the students that made the Great Escape, about army toys breaking out of a boy's closet, or Dream or Real about a seemingly forgetful boy who oversleeps his alarm.

Weird weather is a way of life in Iowa, and the damage caused in Ames during the week, showed how destructive it can be, too. Many residents felt a tornado must have struck, given the amount of damage, but the weather service said, nope, just a huge, straight wind. Take a look at the damage by clicking here.

In Ames, we've presented the wonderfully weird talents of Sam Ennis on a few occasions. We can't get enough of this kid.

Hoping to win $20,000 in a national competition to encourage teens to drive safe, Ennis learned this week that he won another national video contest to encourage teens to save their cash.

The Ames High School student won first place in The Lights, Camera, Save! Video contest sponsored by the American Bankers Association Education Foundation and locally by Principal Bank for his video where everything in his life multiplies. Ennis was presented with a $3,000 U.S. Savings bond and an iPad on Monday.

You can see his videos by clicking here.