Peggy Whitson, New Mall, Teen Abuse Deaths: Iowa Stories Of 2017

In the course of a year, there's always a slew of good news and bad, happy and sad. There's generally a healthy amount of quirky and just downright bright stories thrown into the mix as well.

As we head into 2018, here's a look back at a dozen of the most unusual, unexpected and memorable metro-area events during 2017 — and a few bonus bright spots from around the state as well:

Iowa's First Gentleman is a doll, literally

In quirky news, this is one that bashful Kevin Reynolds, husband to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, would probably just as soon not recall. His likeness was used for the first male porcelain doll to be displayed at the State Capitol among a collection that shows the gowns — or in his case, tuxedo — worn to the governor's inaugurations since the days when Iowa was a territory. His is the 45th doll in the case, located in the south rotunda.

West Des Moines man's "leg lamp" becomes a holiday favorite

Tom Gross became a local celeb and found his house becoming a favorite holiday decor stop when he erected a 14-foot leg lamp in his front yard. The homemade creation was modeled after the iconic "prize" shown in the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story" and Gross saw nightly traffic from viewers who wanted to snap a photo from their vehicles or park nearby and walk to his place and get a selfie with the fishnet-clad leg with a satin lampshade trimmed in black fringe.

Baby boom at Iowa's Blank Park Zoo

It seemed that birth announcements were frequent at Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo in 2017, with animals arriving all year long. "We've had quite a few babies this past year," zoo spokesman Ryan Bickel told Patch. I'd say. The parade of cuteness started with a couple of late 2016 babies — a baby rhino and a new giraffe —that made their debut to the public in early 2017. The zoo then welcomed two eland calves, an addax calf, two camel calves in separate births, a baby Japanese macaque and wallaby twins in 2017 — all before a trio of lion cub cuties were born Nov. 14. A contest is underway to name the lion babies and it continues until Jan. 9.

Iowa native, Astronaut Peggy Whitson, returns to the state for gala

Peggy Whitson, one of the most accomplished astronauts in NASA's space program, came home to Iowa to give the keynote address at a gala for the state's Department of Cultural Affairs. Whitson also made time to encourage and inspire young girls interested in the STEM fields and she shared the message with them that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and dedication. Whitson, who grew up on a farm near Mount Ayr, has spent more time in space (665 cumulative days) than any other U.S. astronaut and any woman of any nationality. At 57, she is America's oldest working astronaut and she has logged more time walking in space more than any other female astronaut, with a cumulative total of 32 hours and 36 minutes over 10 spacewalks. That's someone we can be proud to claim as an Iowan.

Schools building boom — everywhere

Maybe it's the great schools in the state that turn out astronauts and other role models. Iowa's education rates, generally topping surveys and statistics everywhere, may stem from quality facilities as well as great teachers. In the metro area, schools are bursting at the seams, and leaders in the districts are responding to the need for more classroom space. Johnston opened a new $75 million high school at the beginning of the school year and a number of new buildings are on the horizon elsewhere: Ankeny is looking at building its 11th elementary school and has an alternative learning center set to open in the coming school year. Des Moines announced its first new project in more than a decade with plans for a Montessori elementary magnet school on the northeast side of the city. Waukee plans a $117 million bond referendum for a new high school and improvements to the existing high school. Urbandale will have a $59 bond referendum to build two new elementary buildings and complete other district projects. And West Des Moines is looking ahead to the next decade and has started discussion about a "partner high school" to Valley that would offer career and technical courses. You almost need to understand Common Core math to keep up with all those figures.

Dallas County joins 'penny tax' camp

Speaking of doing math, officials in Dallas County will be counting more cash after voters passed a countywide local-option sales tax in November, giving communities in the county an additional one-cent per dollar in tax collections. In most cities the money will be used, at least in part, for tax relief. A host of improvement projects, from parks to roads, also will benefit when the tax is collected beginning July 1. Dallas had been one of only a few counties in the state that did not have a countywide local-option sales tax. Polk County is another, and efforts are underway to take the issue to voters there in early 2018.

Outlets of Des Moines opens with 40-plus stores

A long-awaited shopping destination completed a 16-month construction period and opened in October with nearly 40 stores occupying the Altoona open-air mall. The open-air mall's overall look is inspired by the Prairie Style made popular by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, mall officials said. It had a busy Christmas season — buoyed by the lack of snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures much of its first two months. The mall brought some new names to the metro — shoe stores Asics, Converse and Rack Room Shoes and food court tenants Charley's Philly and Teriyaki Boys among them — along with outlet stores that are new to Iowa, including Yankee Candle, Vera Bradley and francesca's. The mall has an additional 25 spaces available and officials expect to announce more tenants in early 2018.

Footwork, not funding, pays off in city council race

In fall elections that saw eye-popping amounts raised for a city council seat in the capital city, a candidate in neighboring West Des Moines took to the streets and used old-fashioned footwork — going door to door — to meet residents, hear their concerns, and explain her campaign goals. It paid off and Renee Hardman was elected by a margin of 70 votes, or less than 1 percent of the vote. She became the only woman of color and only female on the West Des Moines City Council.

Natalie Finn, Sabrina Ray deaths sadden the state, bring hope for changes

The nation followed along closely as a West Des Moines mother went to trial for the starvation death of Natalie Finn, her 16-year-old adopted daughter. Ultimately, Nicole Finn, 43, was found guilty of first-degree murder for withholding food, locking the teen in a room with no furniture, and preventing her from using a restroom. She also was found guilty on three counts of first-degree kidnapping related to her treatment of her other children. Sentencing will be in January. Her ex-husband, Joseph Finn, will go to trial Jan. 8 on charges of child endangerment resulting in death, three counts each of first-degree kidnapping, child endangerment leading to serious injury, and neglect of a dependent person. The Finn case, and the ongoing case of Sabrina Ray of Perry, an adopted 16-year-old who died of severe malnutrition under similar circumstances, gripped the state and have resulted in a closer look at how the Department of Human Services responds and acts when told of cases of neglect. In both cases, DHS workers had been in contact with families and visited the homes after reports of abuse or neglect. The murder trial of Sabrina Ray's parents, Marc and Misty Ray, has been delayed until 2018. In addition, three others face charges in connection to Sabrina's death and the mistreatment of two other children in the home, the Des Moines Register reported. Misty Ray's mother, Carla Bousman, 62, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, child endangerment causing death, and hindering prosecution; her niece, Josie Bousman, 20, is charged with three counts of kidnapping and one count of child endangerment resulting in death; and the Ray's son, Justin Ray, 21, has been charged with two counts of child endangerment and two counts of willful injury.

Two devastating Des Moines fires — in the same day

Des Moines went more than three years without a three-alarm fire and then two happened in the same morning on Dec. 18, within less than an hour of one another. First, Plaza Lanes bowling center at 2701 Douglas Ave. burned in a blaze that would keep firefighters at the site more than 12 hours. It was ultimately ruled accidental. The bowling center is a total loss; an adjacent building that housed a tattoo business sustained major damage from smoke, water and heat. As the call went out for a third unit to that site, Des Moines firefighters also beginning battling a fire at 1412-16 Sixth Ave., where a former house that held business records and a bookkeeping business next door went up in flames. The busy day for fire crews necessitated calming for mutual aid from three neighboring community fire departments.

Sad death of a baby following an infectious kiss

West Des Moines parents Nicole and Shane Sifrit endured a nightmare when their newborn daughter died after an 11-day battle in the hospital, where she was admitted after being infected with herpes transmitted when she was kissed. "She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord," grieving mother Nicole Sifrit wrote on Facebook when sharing news of the infant's death. The Sifrits have since embarked on a mission to warn other parents about how a common virus that lies dormant in many adults can be deadly for newborns.

'The Wave' triggers a wave of support for hospitalized children

Nine-year-old Riley Lafrentz's simple act of selflessness resulted in a flood of support for sick children when people learned the Indianola boy had donated his life savings to helping children at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Riley had learned about "the Wave" watching the Hawkeyes and the plight of sick children led him to donate $34.01 he was saving to buy sports cards. That triggered a wave of $34.01 donations to the hospital when it told his story via social media — and yielded a pile of sports cards pledged to Riley for his generosity.

Around Iowa

Clothier leaves surprise donation to dress up Sac City

A businessman in Sac City left his fortune to the community with the stipulation that the money be used to dress up the town. John Criss' $5.7 million fortune was a surprise to residents and city officials, but the fact that he gave it with the condition it be used to spruce things up was equally surprising. The clothier died in 2014 at the age of 88 and the city received the money after a lawsuit challenging the will was settled and his wishes were honored. The community of less than 5 square miles had a hard time trying to figure out how to spend all the money on beautification efforts, but city leaders pledged immediate and ongoing improvements until the money is spent.

Arrest in a 17-year-old cold case murder

Eight months after reopening a 17-year-old homicide, authorities in Henry County announced in November they had made an arrest in the 2000 disappearance of 22-year-old Elizabeth Syperda. Her estranged husband, Michael Lee Syperda, was arrested in Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Man dubbed by Guinness as world's oldest pilot turns 100

And finally, Ernie Smith turned 100 just last week, and that is his second milestone in as many years. In the summer of 2016 he entered the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest active pilot at the age of 98 years and 114 days. He's hoping to battle back from a heart attack and stroke this summer to get more flight time.

Do you have a good story to tell for 2018? Email your idea to melissa.myers@patch.com.