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🌱 Patch AM: Why some Beaverdale side streets stay slick after Des Moines snowstorms

Also check out Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Des Moines on the Des Moines Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Cheers Des Moines! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why some Beaverdale side streets stay slick after Des Moines snowstorms
  • How to claim one of the last free Christmas ham dinners
  • How a used cooking oil scheme reached right into Des Moines

Also on today's calendar: Outlets of Des Moines Toys for Tots Drive and 8 more events.

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

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Des Moines? Post it to Des Moines photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, temps: high: 43, low: 35.
  • Thursday: Very windy; mostly cloudy, with a high of 39 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Slick residential roads spark concerns in Des Moines neighborhood (kcci.com) — Des Moines residents in the Beaverdale neighborhood say slick, partially treated residential streets are making it tough to get around after snowfalls. City Public Works explains that neighborhoods aren’t plowed until two inches accumulate and that Des Moines avoids a costly “bare pavement” policy, a choice that may mean more icy, refreezing conditions on side streets in coming days.
   

2. Hope Ministries offers free Christmas ham dinners in Des Moines (kcci.com) — Families in the Des Moines area can reserve a free Christmas Day ham dinner from Hope Ministries, with only about 300 of 2,300 meals still available. Volunteers will deliver meals midday, and anyone can also walk into Hope Café on Sixth Avenue at noon for a no-reservation holiday meal.
   

3. 13 people, including 4 from Iowa, charged in scheme to steal cooking oil (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Four people living in Des Moines are among 13 individuals federally indicted in an alleged multistate scheme to steal used cooking oil and resell it for biodiesel. Investigators say the group targeted restaurant oil tanks across at least ten states, including Iowa, and moved the oil through warehouses in Iowa and Nevada. The defendants face racketeering and interstate stolen property charges and remain presumed innocent.
   

4. Scelzi Ready For Challenges Of New Team & Series (speedsport.com) — A 24-year-old sprint car driver who now calls Des Moines home is joining a new Spire Motorsports team to chase the High Limit Racing championship. He talks about building chemistry with a veteran crew chief, preparing a brand-new operation, and why nearby Davenport Speedway feels like a special stop because it’s close to his Des Moines base.
   

5. Pork Industry's Largest Winter Event Coming to Des Moines (americanagnetwork.com) — Des Moines will host the 2026 Iowa Pork Congress January 21–22 at the Iowa Events Center, bringing the pork industry’s largest winter gathering back to town. Producers and industry partners can explore 225-plus exhibitors, attend policy and market outlook sessions, and join the annual banquet recognizing top pork leaders. New this year are Spanish-language technical trainings to better serve local production employees.
   

📸 Around Des Moines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Des Moines

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📣 Des Moines Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday December 16
  • Public Art Committee
    Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
    4:00 pm
  • Girls Basketball: Des Moines North vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
    Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
    4:45 pm
  • Boys Basketball: Des Moines North vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
    Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
    4:45 pm
  • Boys Swimming: Des Moines Lincoln vs Newton (Varsity)
    Newton YMCA
    5:30 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

  • LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE
    Hey, just now found out about this app but I've been looking for my dog Koda all day. My boyfriend and I were leaving around 11-12am this morning and… (Nextdoor South Side)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Lookie was LOST on December 14, 2025 in Des Moines, IA 50313 near Near NE 14th street, Motel 6 On NE 14th Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Oak Park)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Leader - Summer Camp in Des Moines. Apply here.
  • Life Time Fitness posted a job opening for Kids Team Member 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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