🌱 Patch AM: Which Ankeny grads just made noise on the college track circuit?

Hello Ankeny! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Ankeny grads just made noise on the college track circuit?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Winds becoming strong, with a high of 39 and low of 8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Variable cloudiness, temps: high: 33, low: 29.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 41 and low of 19 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Mile posts: Items on Mallory Lindaman, Millie Hill, Mike Jasa, Chase Knoche, Julia Gehl, Dylan Grandon, Courtney Sporrer (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Two familiar Ankeny names popped up in standout college track performances, with an Ankeny Centennial grad breaking the Jimmy Grant Invitational 3,000-meter record and an Ankeny High alum placing well in the 600. The roundup tracks Iowa-connected runners and triathletes competing at meets in Iowa City, Ames, Nebraska, and beyond, offering a look at how many former Iowa preps are progressing this indoor season.
   

📸 Around Ankeny

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📣 Ankeny Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Clive Emerging Leaders: Getting It Together: Build Your Life Admin System
  ServiceMaster by Rice - Construction Division , 7605 University Ave , Clive
  1:00 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM East DM North-Hoover Ames (Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Junior Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM East DM North-Hoover Ames (Junior Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  5:30 pm
• Board of Adjustment Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  6:30 pm
• Canceled - Board of Adjustment Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  6:30 pm
• Pilates 101
  Pilates at Mend , 480 Center Pl suite b , Altoona
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 16, 2025 in Ankeny, IA 50021 near NE 18th St and NE Michael Drive, near Northeast Elementary Sharing for a neighbor. For the… (Nextdoor Sienna Falls)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Bear was LOST on December 12, 2025 in Ankeny, IA 50021 near Sam's club Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor NE Ankeny)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Ankeny. Apply here.
• JEO Consulting Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Transportation Practice Leader-Iowa in Ankeny. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ankeny here.

🗞 Nearby News

Johnston

• Johnston restaurant welcomes employees with special needs (weareiowa.com)

Polk City

• We're excited about these new parks and trails in 2026 and beyond (axios.com)
• Interpretation of October phone call could decide fate of Iowa resort (desmoinesregister.com)
• Iowa counties press on as state reviews opioid grants (dailyiowan.com)

Altoona

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 know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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