🌱 Patch AM: Why Johnston police needed help rescuing over 30 cats from one home

Coffee in hand, Johnston? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Johnston police needed help rescuing over 30 cats from one home
• How Johnston’s title-game rival just turned a win into a national award

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 20 degrees.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 44, low: 32.
• Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 52 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• ARL rescues more than 30 cats from central Iowa home (who13.com) — Johnston residents should know that more than 30 cats were removed from a single Johnston home this week after police called in the ARL of Iowa for help. Many animals were sick or injured, but all are now receiving treatment, and the ARL is seeking donations as it builds a new Rescue Intake and Rehabilitation Center to better handle future cases.
   

• West Des Moines Valley boys soccer coach earns national coach of the year award (kcci.com) — Johnston soccer fans will remember West Des Moines Valley as the team that beat Johnston 3-0 in last year’s Class 4A state championship, and that win helped earn Valley coach Aziz Haffar a national Coach of the Year honor. The longtime coach, who recently surpassed 600 wins and six state titles, will receive the award at a January ceremony in Philadelphia.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 23

• Johnston Public Library closing early for Christmas holiday
  Johnston Public Library - Johnston IA 50131
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Library closes early at 5:00 p.m. for the New Years Holiday
  Johnston Public Library - Johnston IA 50131
  5:00 pm

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Santa at the Grove | Des Moines
  Big Grove Brewery & Taproom , 555 17th St , Des Moines
  1:00 pm
• Punk Rock Saves CHRISTMAS 2025 - Des Moines,IA
  Lefty's Live Music , 2307 University Ave , Des Moines
  4:00 pm
• A Little Mean and Green (Ages 5+)
  Painting with a Twist , 3753 86th St , Urbandale
  4:00 pm
• A Nella Thomas Christmas
  xBk Live · Des Moines , IA , Saylorville
  7:00 pm
• Candy Cane Creek
  Painting with a Twist , 3753 86th St , Urbandale
  7:00 pm
• Shaun Johnson
  Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines , IA , Saylorville
  7:30 pm
• Holiday Brass
  Des Moines Civic Center , 221 Walnut St , Des Moines
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 21

• Holiday Brunch Bingo
  Smash Park Des Moines · West Des Moines , IA , Saylorville
  10:00 am
• Cozy Onesie Time (Ages 5+)
  Painting with a Twist , 3753 86th St , Urbandale
  10:30 am
• Holiday Paint Your Pet — Make a Gift!
  Painting with a Twist , 3753 86th St , Urbandale
  2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Wesley Retirement Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Medical Billing Specialist in Johnston. Apply here.
• McDonald's posted a job opening for McDonalds Crew Member $15/hr in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Grimes

• See the action as Southeast Polk girls take on Waukee Northwest (desmoinesregister.com)
• 'Declaration of vengeance': Pentagon strikes ISIS in Syria (azcentral.com)
• Will homebuilding rebound in 2026? (businessrecord.com)

Urbandale

• Salvation Army says gold coin was found inside red kettle in Urbandale (kcci.com)
• Gov. Reynolds appoints 2 people to Iowa Board of Regents (weareiowa.com)

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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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