Top 9 of Iowa: $15M for Iowa Education, Father Gets 50 in Game Store Sex Abuse, Voters OK New Casino, 52 Straight W's + 2 State Hoops Titles

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. Urbandale Patch reports that a father convicted of sexually abusing three of his nine children while the family at times lived in the back of a game store in a Des Moines mall was sentenced to 50 years in prison. At sentencing, one daughter told him he "made me feel like a waste of life."

8. A Des Moines woman won the 32nd of 97 top prizes of . She purchased the ticket at Quik Trip in Johnston.

7. Marion Patch reports that voters in Linn County backed plans to allow casino gambling in a special election this week. Investors hope to build a casino along the river across from downtown Cedar Rapids, but the state gaming commission still must sign off.

6. Ankeny Christian made it to the state high school basketball tournament for the second time ever, but Ankeny fell to North Tama in the quarterfinal round.

5. Cedar Falls Patch reports a generous Des Moines businessman, for teacher training at the University of Northern Iowa College of Education. It was the largest donation the school has ever received.

4. A West Des Moines office building sustained thousands of dollars in damage after a fire-protection water valve was intentionally opened early Saturday morning and ran for about 15 minutes.

3. Margaret George, a resident of a retirement community in Waukee,  celebrated her 101st birthday by helping others. Instead of sending cards that George has trouble reading cards, she asked friends and family to help her celebrate by donating 101 cans of food for the Waukee Food Pantry.

2. Iowa is not one of the best states to retire, according to Forbes magazine, but Ames is one of the top cities to retire in 2013. The magazine cited ambiance, good air and reasonable cost of living.

1. Iowa City West High's 52nd consecutive victory was also earned the team its second consecutive state basketball title in Class 4A. West High defeated Bettendorf, 54-36.

Past Tops: