🌱 Patch AM: How Johnston’s lottery headquarters is tied to a $1.1B jackpot

Good morning to you Johnston! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Johnston’s lottery headquarters is tied to a $1.1B jackpot
• Johnston learns more about the ISIS attack that killed Iowa soldiers
• How Johnston is honoring two Iowa Guard soldiers killed in Syria

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 36 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 43, low: 27.
• Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness, with a high of 43 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Media Release: $1.1 BILLION Powerball® jackpot up next this Monday (publicgaming.com) — Johnston residents are at the center of lottery buzz as the Iowa Lottery, headquartered here, announces a $1.1 billion Powerball jackpot for Monday night’s drawing. Officials urge people to play responsibly while noting that every $2 ticket also helps fund good causes in communities across Iowa and beyond.
   

2. Iowa police chief identifies son as Iowa Army National Guard soldier killed in ISIS terrorist attack (kcci.com) — From Johnston, state officials confirmed that two Iowa Army National Guard soldiers were killed and three injured when an ISIS gunman attacked their unit in Syria. One victim’s father, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn, publicly identified his son Nate, while Iowa leaders report the wounded soldiers are in critical but stable condition.
   

3. Close friends, loved ones remember 2 Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria attack (weareiowa.com) — Johnston residents are learning more about the two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a recent attack in Syria, identified by loved ones as Edgar Torres and Nate Howard. Friends, fellow Guardsmen, and Howard’s police chief father are sharing memories of their dedication, service, and deep family ties as the community begins to grieve their loss.
   

4. University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom Director: ‘It's not a political enterprise' (siouxcityjournal.com) — A new Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa is drawing attention, and its leaders insist the effort isn’t meant to be partisan. Key figures recently discussed the center’s mission during an “Iowa Press” taping at the Iowa PBS studios in Johnston, connecting statewide higher-education debates directly to a familiar local venue.
   

5. OBIT: Delores A. Arduser (northiowatoday.com) — Family and friends in Johnston are among those mourning Delores Arduser, whose son Bryan Skarphol lives in Johnston. The longtime Mason City resident was remembered for her creativity, volunteer work, and deep love for her grandchildren. Her family plans a celebration of life in the spring.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Back Roads Lounge
  Back Roads Lounge, 8460 Birchwood Ct Suite 900, Johnston
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Board of Adjustment Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  6:30 pm
• Canceled - Board of Adjustment Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  6:30 pm

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 15

• Profit Academy - Get Ready for 2026!
  Agency Iowa , 1551 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy , Ankeny
  4:00 pm
• City Council Regular Meeting
  Waukee City Hall , 230 W. Hickman Rd. , Waukee
  5:30 pm
• Board of Adjustment December 15, 2025
  Grimes, IA Calendar
  5:30 pm
• Girls Basketball: Dallas Center-Grimes vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:00 pm
• Single & Social Holiday Meet-Up Des Moines
  Destination Grille , 2491 E 1st St , Grimes
  6:30 pm
• Girls Basketball: Dallas Center-Grimes vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  7:15 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Public Art Committee
  Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  4:00 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines East vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines North vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 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

• National Mentor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Referral and Assessment Coordinator in Johnston. Apply here.
• City of Johnston, IA posted a job opening for Parks and Recreation Building Supervisor in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

Ok Johnston! 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 either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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