Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a West Des Moines missing-child case was twisted into an Epstein hoax

Spotted on the West Des Moines calendar: The Angel Tree at Outlets of Des Moines

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Greetings West Des Moines! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a West Des Moines missing-child case was twisted into an Epstein hoax
  • How stolen fryer grease led to a multistate federal racketeering case
  • How much are West Des Moines’ license-plate cameras tracking your drives?

Also on today's calendar: The Angel Tree at Outlets of Des Moines and 3 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Low clouds and windy, with a high of 29 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Colder with snow, 1-3", temps: high: 8, low: -11.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high of 10 and low of 6 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Fact Check: House Democrats Did NOT Release Never-Before-Seen Photos Of Jeffrey Epstein With Little Girl In Green Skirt Also Photographed Bound And Gagged-- Images Are Edited Fakes (leadstories.com) — A viral TikTok falsely claims House Democrats released new photos showing Jeffrey Epstein with a young girl who also appears bound and gagged, but investigators confirm both images are digitally altered fakes. One edited photo traces back to a 2006 image tied to the long-unsolved disappearance of West Des Moines paperboy Johnny Gosch, underscoring how real victims’ cases can be misused in online hoaxes.
   

• Federal indictment links Iowa warehouses to multistate stolen cooking-oil ring (cbs2iowa.com) — West Des Moines residents should know local police helped investigate a multistate ring accused of stealing used restaurant cooking oil and funneling it through warehouses in Ankeny and Des Moines. Thirteen people are federally indicted on racketeering, stolen property, and money-laundering charges, with several Des Moines residents already appearing in court and a trial set for early 2026.
   

• Iowa license-plate cameras may be invading your privacy, ACLU claims (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines is among several central Iowa cities using automated license-plate cameras, a technology civil liberties advocates say may threaten residents’ privacy without stronger state rules. A new ACLU of Iowa report details how police agencies statewide deploy these cameras, how long they keep the data, and how vendors like Flock Safety can share information, while urging local governments to pause contracts until clearer protections are in place.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines

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📣 West Des Moines Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • If you are the person who helped with catching the Pomeranian at Drake University this morning on 25th Street (or know the young lady who helped by taking the Pom) please let me know where you took her to.
    The owner has tried the shelters and the pup is microchipped and has her phone # on her tag. Please contact me. Let’s get her home- she escaped when… (Nextdoor Tamara Lane)
  • A lady and her husband found these dogs near 50th/42nd and Ashworth together.
    Anyone know these owners? The husky has a red rabies tag and the little brown guy has a red collar.. (Nextdoor WDM Crossroads)
  • InstaSwim LLC posted a job opening for Private Swim Instructor in West Des Moines. Apply here.
  • The Gap, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate - Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.

🗞 Nearby News

Clive

Urbandale

Ok West 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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