Top 9 of Iowa: Boy Shot in Head, Prostitution Arrests, Casino Proposed for Ankeny, Halloween House Fire Prevented

Why nine? Because the Patch community includes nine sites in Iowa: Ames, Ankeny, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Johnston, Marion, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines.

9. Marion police said a human trafficking investigation is under way in connection with recent prostitution arrests. Last month's sting resulted in the arrests of four people on prostitution and disorderly house charges at two local massage parlors after police received a tip from a confidential informant that "sex acts" were traded for money.

8. Urbandale police also had a role in investigating five local reports of prostitution this month that were part of a large sweep that has led to 48 people facing charges from around central Iowa. According to police reports, three cases of prostitution at an Urbandale hotel or motel were logged on Oct. 17, with two more cases reported the next day.

7. Iowa State University researchers in Ames have created an odd contraption from a pair of pipes, toggles, switches, electronics and a sturdy frame that will produce the next generation of fuels from renewable resources such as corn stalks and wood chips. One of its end products could be gas.

6. Presidential candidates and their supporters have become routine in Iowa. But First Lady Michelle Obama got a bit of a surprise at last week's Iowa City stop. As she was rounding up her speech, a man in the audience felt inspired enough to shout out a question: "Michelle, will you marry me?"

"Sorry," the first lady replied with a smile. "I'm already taken."

5. Staying with politics,  -- which includes Waukee and West Des Moines -- in a December special election.

Ward's announcement comes just weeks after Sen. Pat Ward passed away from a three-year battle with breast cancer. At the time of her death, she was actively campaigning for the Senate seat against Democrat Desmund Adams.

4. An 8-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the head at a Cedar Falls shooting range last week. David William Young was apparently shot while wandering in front of the firing line where another family member was actively engaged in target practice. He is being treated at Iowa City Hospitals and Clinics to the Brain Trauma Unit.

3. Does the Des Moines area need another casino? The Ankeny City Council last week agreed to work with a company that hopes to build a $150-million casino and entertainment venue on the city's north side. The project is the work of Wild Rose Entertainment LLC, led by West Des Moines developer Gary Kirke and partner Michael Richards.

2. A long-awaited second school resource officer in the Johnston school district is finally becoming a reality, thanks to a total community effort. Supporters have raised more than $60,000 to pay for a second school resource officer and expand the current 411 Program to seventh- and ninth-grade students.

1. Halloween night as West Des Moines they prevented a grease fire that could have gotten quickly out of control A homeowner had left a pan of grease on a stove while the oven was cleaning -- which produces high temperatures. The grease was about to ignite. After firefighters took care of the problem they inspected the home’s two smoke alarms. Neither had a working battery.

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