🌱 Patch AM: How West Des Moines’ new population count could boost city funding

Hello again West Des Moines! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How West Des Moines’ new population count could boost city funding
• How one West Des Moines mom is paying support forward
• How thieves allegedly turned Jordan Creek into a $30,000 target

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high of 40 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Partly sunny and colder, temps: high: 30, low: 19.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 33 and low of 15 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. West Des Moines has a new population count. What the numbers mean (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines just confirmed a new population of 73,959 residents after a special partial census, unlocking an estimated $3.7 million in extra road-use and other tax revenue through 2030. City leaders say the growth, concentrated in fast-developing western and southern areas, will boost funding for streets and services even as Ankeny remains the metro’s second-largest city.
   

2. Iowa mother supports families following her child's Down Syndrome diagnosis (kcrg.com) — A West Des Moines mom is turning her son’s Down syndrome diagnosis into a way to support other local families, volunteering with Jack’s Basket after receiving help herself during a difficult pregnancy. By sharing her story and resources, she’s offering comfort and practical guidance to parents who are just beginning to navigate similar medical and emotional challenges.
   

3. KXEL Morning News for Tue. Dec. 30, 2025 (kxel.com) — Police in West Des Moines say a Des Moines woman led a series of large “grab and go” clothing thefts at Jordan Creek Town Center, allegedly using a child as a diversion. She’s accused of organizing nine incidents totaling nearly $30,000 in stolen merchandise and now faces multiple felony charges, while other statewide stories in the roundup cover health funding and military honors.
   

4. Bird flu outbreak kills hundreds of Canada geese at Maffitt Reservoir (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Hundreds of Canada geese have died from bird flu at Maffitt Reservoir, just south of West Des Moines, but officials say local drinking water remains safe. The park is temporarily closed while crews clean up and monitor the outbreak, and residents are urged not to touch dead or sick birds and to report large die-offs so wildlife staff can track the disease.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• Iowa Wild New Year's Eve Bash vs Texas Stars
  730 3rd St , Des Moines
  5:00 pm
• Library closes early at 5:00 p.m. for the New Years Holiday
  Johnston Public Library - Johnston IA 50131
  5:00 pm
• Live Music: The Get Down New Years Eve Party @ Middlebrook Mercantile
  Middlebrook Mercantile , 4125 Cumming Ave , Cumming
  7:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• City Buildings Closed New Year's Day
  Grimes, IA Calendar Grimes, IA 50111
• New Year's Day
  Urbandale, IA Calendar
• All City offices CLOSED in observance of New Year's Day
  Waukee, IA Calendar Waukee, IA 50263
  8:00 am
• Civil Service Commission- no meeting held
  Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  9:00 am

Friday January 2

• Snacks & Facts: Picking Priorities in the City Budget
  Waukee, IA Calendar , 950 S. Warrior Ln. , Waukee
  11:30 am

Monday January 5

• City Council Regular Meeting
  Waukee, IA Calendar , 230 W. Hickman Rd. , Waukee
  5:30 pm
• Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:00 pm
• Johnston City Council Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  7:00 pm
• Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  7:30 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making West Des Moines PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 29, 2025 in West Des Moines, IA 50266 near EP True and 88th Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Stone Creek)
• Rehoming a 2 year old black cat.
  He is neutered, but not declawed. (I will add, he doesn’t scratch furniture though) He is VERY playful & loving; definitely a lap cat! He has been… (Nextdoor Glen Oaks)

• Target posted a job opening for General Merchandise, Closing, Fulfillment (T1901) in West Des Moines. Apply here.
• Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.

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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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