Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a 1% tax could reshape Ankeny’s bills and services

Spotted on the Ankeny calendar: Aheinz 57 Rescue Adoption Event

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hi there, Ankeny! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a 1% tax could reshape Ankeny’s bills and services
  • What Zach Nunn says this new GOP health bill will change
  • How a final flight home led to lifelong bonds in Ankeny skies

Also on today's calendar: A Very Firetrucker Christmas and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Ankenyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Ankenyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 34 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 41, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: More sun than clouds, with a high of 39 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ankeny voters to decide on 1% sales tax increase (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Ankeny residents will vote in September 2026 on adding a 1% local option sales tax that could lower future property tax rates and fund streets, parks, trails, and public safety projects. City officials say rejecting it may mean property tax hikes starting in 2029, ending a long stretch without increases.
   

2. Iowa's Four U.S. Representatives Back GOP Health Care Bill (kiwaradio.com) — Ankeny residents may be especially interested that their congressman, Zach Nunn, backed a Republican health care bill he says will lower insurance costs and limit subsidies for higher earners. All four of Iowa’s U.S. House Republicans supported the measure, while state Democratic leaders argue it fails to protect over 100,000 Iowans facing premium hikes when current ACA subsidies expire December 31.
   

3. This Is Iowa: Wife reunites with pilots who flew her dying husband home (kcci.com) — At Ankeny airport, a young widow and her son are taking to the skies again to reunite with the two pilots who flew her dying husband home to Iowa last year. The emotional gathering honors his final wish to spend his last days with family and celebrates the lasting friendship forged during that free flight from Rochester to Eagle Grove.
   

4. This Is Iowa: Holiday exercise challenge creates tradition of helping others in need (kcci.com) — An Ankeny-based nonprofit called Holiday Streakers turns a simple holiday exercise challenge into nationwide support for families facing serious medical crises, including a local boy treated for cancer. By committing to daily activity between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, participants have raised nearly $250,000 to ease financial burdens for more than 60 families.
   

5. Redbirds Set To Host Oakland In Final Non-Conference Tuneup (goredbirds.com) — An Illinois State women’s basketball game preview gives a nod to a guard from Ankeny highlighting her seven-point third quarter in a recent breakout performance. The piece sets up the Redbirds’ final non-conference home matchup against Oakland, recapping key players’ career highs, conference rankings, and how the team has fared against Big Ten and ranked opponents so far.
   

📸 Around Ankeny

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Need someone with some IT/Internet chops to help me upgrade a CAT5 ethernet cable in my home to CAT6 which Metronet actually supports...
    any and all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! (Nextdoor Prairie Trail)
  • I am seeking recommendations for a AC?
    Furnace contract as I am unsettled with my current agency...any suggestions ? (Nextdoor Country Crossings)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Asset Protection Specialist in Ankeny. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Ankeny. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ankeny here.

Ok Ankeny! 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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