Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How one West Des Moines mom turned a scary diagnosis into hope
Also check out New Year's Eve Party on the Des Moines Patch calendar
Hello again Des Moines! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How one West Des Moines mom turned a scary diagnosis into hope
- Which Des Moines students just earned coveted U.S. service academy nominations?
- Why a Des Moines judge just hit pause on Summit’s pipeline fight
Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Party and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Mostly sunny; windy, colder, with a high of 20 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Periods of sun; not as cold, temps: high: 37, low: 29.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high of 36 and low of 12 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. West Des Moines mother helps parents after she was supported through child's down syndrome diagnosis (weareiowa.com) — A West Des Moines mom is turning her difficult experience with a twin’s Down syndrome diagnosis into support for other local parents, after another mother once did the same for her. She now volunteers with Jack’s Basket, sharing resources and reassurance with families facing similar news in central Iowa. 
2. Ernst Nominates MMCRU student to U.S. Service Academy (nwestiowa.com) — Several Des Moines and West Des Moines students have been nominated by Sen. Joni Ernst for appointments to U.S. service academies, including the Air Force, Military, and Naval academies. The list highlights local teens preparing for military careers and follows Ernst’s push to expand outreach about service opportunities for Iowa high schoolers.
3. Judge pauses Summit opponents' lawsuit while proposed permit changes proceed (nwestiowa.com) — A Polk County judge in Des Moines has paused a major lawsuit challenging Summit Carbon Solutions’ carbon pipeline permit while state regulators reconsider key conditions. The Iowa Utilities Commission must now decide whether Summit can change its sequestration destination before the case resumes, a move that could reshape eminent domain battles affecting landowners and counties across Iowa.
4. Iowa Gas Prices Fall Again as Crude Oil Posts Weekly Gains (westerniowatoday.com) — From Des Moines, state analysts report that Iowa gas prices dipped again this week, even as crude oil costs inched higher. Drivers are paying significantly less at the pump than a year ago, while diesel and home heating fuels show mixed but generally manageable price shifts heading into the colder months.
5. Cybercriminals stole her rent. Embrace Iowa stepped in to help (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A long-running charitable partnership between the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Community Action Association is again raising money through Embrace Iowa to help low‑income residents with urgent bills. The fund recently helped a Chariton senior whose rent was stolen by cybercriminals, and donations made before year’s end can be claimed as charitable deductions while supporting Iowans in all 99 counties.
📸 Around Des Moines
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Des Moines
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- New Year's Eve Party
Smash Park Des Moines 6625 Coachlight Dr West Des Moines, IA 50266
11:00 am - Noon Year's Eve Ball Drop
Paws & Pints , 6218 Willowmere Dr , Des Moines
12:00 pm - Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
6:00 pm - Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
7:30 pm - Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV1)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
4:45 pm - Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV1)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
4:45 pm - Boys Swimming: Ottumwa vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Junior Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Boys Swimming: Ottumwa vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV2)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
6:15 pm - Social Saturday: SNOW DAY
Des Moines Art Center , 4700 Grand Ave , Des Moines
11:00 am - Smells Like Nirvana Tribute & Dead Original Live in Concert
Wooly's , 504 E Locust St , Des Moines
8:00 pm - Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Des Moines
Altoona Aquatics Park , 1200 Venbury Dr , Altoona
9:00 am
Wednesday December 31
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Saturday January 10
Sunday January 11
📣 Des Moines Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Des Moines PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Had a belated Christmas tonight with neighbors & friends!
So much food and great company! Watching the little ones open their gifts from their grandma & grandpa! I feel so blessed to have them in my life!… (Nextdoor Norwood) - I need some help and advice from the community.
I'll post pictures of them shortly, but I found bundles of nails that were attached together so that they'd puncture a tire if they were rolled over… (Nextdoor Oak Park)
- USA Jobs posted a job opening for Weekend On Call Housekeeping Houseperson - Hilton Des Moines Downtown in Des Moines. Apply here.
- Iowa Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeper Staybridge Suites Des Moines, IA in Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Moines here.
Ok Des Moines! 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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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