Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Need a free Christmas meal delivered in West Des Moines this year?

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

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Sunday December 14th Patch AM
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Hello West Des Moines! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Need a free Christmas meal delivered in West Des Moines this year?
  • What’s next after Waukee schools’ leader retires and eyes West Des Moines?
  • Why the Menace is leaving West Des Moines’ longtime home field

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

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

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high of 11 and low of 6 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Monday: Not as cold, temps: high: 38, low: 18.
  • Tuesday: Some sun, with a high of 44 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Here are 3 free holiday meals offered around the metro in 2025 (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines households in need can get free Christmas ham dinners delivered right to their doors through Hope Ministries’ metro-wide program this holiday season. The article also highlights a free Christmas Eve meal in Des Moines and a Christmas dinner in Grinnell, offering options for both delivery and dine-in with reservations required by Dec. 19.
   

2. Waukee superintendent Brad Buck will retire after this school year (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Waukee schools’ longtime superintendent Brad Buck will retire June 30, as the fast-growing district that recently bought 110 acres in West Des Moines for a possible third high school plans its next chapter. Buck, who has led major building expansions and a second high school launch, will become executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa while the board begins a superintendent search Monday.
   

3. Des Moines Menace announce new home stadium (weareiowa.com) — Des Moines Menace is leaving Valley Stadium in West Des Moines after nearly 20 years and shifting home games to Drake University’s Mediacom Stadium starting with the 2026 season, pending league approval. The team will also base training and daily operations there, with players living and practicing on campus and new fan promotions and experiences promised.
   

4. Iowa woman accused of torturing a dog (northiowatoday.com) — A 26-year-old West Des Moines resident has been charged in Polk County with two aggravated misdemeanor counts related to the treatment and death of a dog found on property in Des Moines. She was jailed on $5,000 cash bond, released on December 12, and is scheduled for a court appearance on December 22.
   

5. Federal indictment links Iowa warehouses to multistate stolen cooking-oil ring (cbs2iowa.com) — West Des Moines police are among several Iowa agencies helping the FBI investigate a multistate scheme that allegedly stole and resold used restaurant cooking oil. Federal prosecutors say 13 people have been indicted, with warehouses in Ankeny and Des Moines allegedly used to store and move the stolen oil, which was then sold and the proceeds laundered across several states.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dogs got loose.
    I live on 11th and Office Park Rd in west des moines. She was seen on 23rd and Ashworth and Also on Elm Street here in west des moines. If seen or… (Nextdoor Olde English Village)
  • Emergency Alert
    The Parking Ban has been extended until 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. Keep parked vehicles off the street so our snowplows can effectively clear… (Nextdoor )
  • World Market posted a job opening for Seasonal Stock Associate in West Des Moines. Apply here.
  • Hy-Vee Supermarket posted a job opening for Meat Clerk 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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