🌱 State Youth Of The Year + Des Moines New Parking System

Happy Friday, Des Moines! Let's get this day started. Here's everything happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Some rain and a thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 63.

Here are the top three stories in Des Moines today:

1. A Des Moines teen is gearing up to compete in the State Youth of the Year event. After preparing for one hour each week for more than four months with a mentor, Sierra Pilate was recently named Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa Youth of the Year. Now, she will go on to compete this Tuesday and if she wins, she can go on to compete in regionals, then in nationals. If she wins both levels, Pilate could win $70,000 in scholarships. (Local 5 - weareiowa.com)
2. Des Moines is activating a new parking system, replacing parking meters with new parking kiosks. The city was waiting on the final pieces of the new system to arrive, and now that they are here, the city has begun installing the kiosks. The first stall markers were installed yesterday along 5th and 6th avenues from Watson Powell Jr. Way to Center Street and continue in those blocks west of the Iowa Events Center. (KCCI Des Moines)
3. A historic Iowa church will be closing its doors this weekend after nearly 170 years of worship. First Presbyterian Church on the city's east side, one of Des Moines' oldest churches, is reportedly closing due to poor attendance in recent years. The church will hold its final service on Sunday morning and the property will likely be sold to another church, business, or commercial developer. (KCCI Des Moines)

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Today in Des Moines:

• Maker Day Challenge At Forest Avenue Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• After four years, a Des Moines man has been sentenced to 50 years for the killing of a Cambridge woman. (KCCI Des Moines)
• These are the eight hottest new restaurants to try in Des Moines right now, according to the Des Moines Register! (Des Moines Register)
• A Des Moines house near South Union and McKinley Avenue is considered a total loss after an early morning fire broke out on Thursday. (KCCI Des Moines)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• National Hug A Plumber Day (April 25)
• Social Security Seminar on 4/27 & 4/28 (April 27)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you soon!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.