🌱 Patch AM: Which West Des Moines defender just earned national academic soccer honors?

Hello West Des Moines! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which West Des Moines defender just earned national academic soccer honors?
• How West Des Moines’ sales tax model could shape Ankeny’s big 2026 vote
• How a West Des Moines predator was finally brought to justice

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's West Des Moines Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near West Des Moines.

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 35 and low of 32 degrees.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 42, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: More sun than clouds, with a high of 41 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Van Wyngarden and Archer Earn CSC Academic All-American Honors (msumavericks.com) — A West Des Moines native has been honored as a CSC Academic All-American after starting every match for Minnesota State’s women’s soccer team, earning top defensive awards and maintaining a 3.93 GPA in marketing. Alongside a teammate from South Dakota, she helped the Mavericks finish 18-1-4 and reach the NCAA Tournament’s second round, showcasing both academic and athletic excellence.
   

• Ankeny voters to decide on 1% sales tax increase (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines already relies on a 1% local option sales tax to fund more police, firefighters, and amenities, and Ankeny is now asking voters in 2026 to approve a similar tax. Ankeny leaders say the change could lower future property taxes, fund street and park upgrades, and mirror how nearby cities like West Des Moines and Des Moines pay for key services and infrastructure.
   

• Iowa man sentenced for sexually exploiting minors on social media (who13.com) — A West Des Moines man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, plus 10 years of supervised release, for sexually exploiting minors online and possessing illegal images. Federal prosecutors say he used Snapchat and Instagram to coerce victims in the U.S. and abroad, and emphasize that online predators will be aggressively investigated and held accountable.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Boys Wrestling: JV Worlds (Junior Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  5:00 pm
• Live Music: Kelsie James @ Middlebrook Mercantile
  Middlebrook Mercantile , 4125 Cumming Ave , Cumming
  6:00 pm
• Kelsie James
  Middlebrook Mercantile , 4125 Cumming Ave , Cumming
  6:00 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  6:15 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines East vs Ottumwa (JV2)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  6:15 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Earlham (Home)
  Van Meter High School
  6:15 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (JV2)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:15 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Lincoln (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:15 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

• Is this anyone's cat?
  It is outside of the prairie grass apartment complex (Nextdoor Robel Run)

• Urban Outfitters, Inc. posted a job opening for Urban Outfitters Product Flow Specialist in West Des Moines. Apply here.
• Iowa Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeping Attendant in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.

🗞 Nearby News

Clive

• Powerball jackpot hits $1.5 billion; excitement builds nationwide (kwwl.com)

Windsor Heights

• 'Tis the season: Holiday light displays around central Iowa (weareiowa.com)

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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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