🌱 Patch AM: Why the University Avenue on-ramp is still closed after months of work

Hi there, West Des Moines! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why the University Avenue on-ramp is still closed after months of work
• How one West Des Moines daycare is fighting this winter’s flu surge
• Which powerhouse will West Des Moines Valley face at February’s showcase?

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy, with a high of 41 and low of 27 degrees.
• Saturday: Becoming windier and colder, temps: high: 32, low: 18. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. University Avenue on-ramp reopening delayed to stop backups at mixmaster (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Drivers in West Des Moines and Clive will need to keep detouring a bit longer: the long-closed University Avenue on-ramp to I-35/80 is staying shut after new ramp configurations caused unexpected backups at the southwest mixmaster. Iowa DOT engineers are testing alternatives and say if they can’t fix the traffic issues soon, the ramp may not reopen until the new Walnut Creek bridge is finished in April.
   

2. West Des Moines day care provider says collaboration with parents is key to keeping kids healthy (kcci.com) — With flu cases rising, a West Des Moines child care center is doubling down on handwashing, morning health checks, and nightly deep cleaning to keep kids healthy. Director Nicole Scatino-Talley says close communication with parents is essential, since one sick child can quickly re-contaminate a classroom despite strict sanitation routines.
   

3. Boys basketball notebook: Move to the Upper Iowa Conference working out just fine for Waukon (thegazette.com) — West Des Moines hoops fans will notice Valley listed among elite programs headed to the Feb. 7 Crossover Challenge’s second leg in Central Iowa. The notebook mainly spotlights Waukon’s hot start and other conference storylines, but it also confirms Valley’s place in a select 10-team showcase field that could feature big-time matchups.
   

4. Wilbert Sick Obituary (westerniowatoday.com) — One of Wilbert Sick’s step-grandchildren, Jaiden Stephens, now lives in West Des Moines, tying this long, full life to our community. The obituary remembers Wilbert’s decades as a Shelby County farmer and Riverside High School science teacher, his military service, deep faith, and 68-year marriage, as well as the many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who survive him.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 9

• Boys Wrestling: Ottumwa Wrestling Invitational (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:00 pm
• Bullet Journaling with Linda Tong
  Waukee, IA Calendar , 950 S. Warrior Ln. , Waukee
  4:00 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  4:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV2)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:15 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  6:15 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV2)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  7:45 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Hoover vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  7:45 pm

Saturday January 10

• Kindergarten Signing Day
  Waukee, IA Calendar
  9:00 am
• The Original Big Indoor Garage Sale
  Horizon Events Center , 2100 NW 100th St , Clive
  9:00 am
• Crafty Saturdays
  Waukee, IA Calendar , 950 S. Warrior Ln. , Waukee
  10:00 am
• Boys Basketball: Waukee vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  5:00 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!
• Tech Stack Digital Solutions — (515) 855-6499
  Website Design and Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Now that we’ve officially entered 2026, here are a few key dates you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
  1. April 4 – Waukee’s annual Easter Egg hunt hops into Centennial Park at 10 a.m. 2. April 6 – Yard waste collection begins. Pick up runs every… (Nextdoor )
• Anyone know anything, or just have thoughtful input about water line replacement insurance?
  I just received promotional material from American Water Resources offering $7000 per occurrence for COVERED water line repairs and same for related… (Nextdoor SW Ashworth/Jordan)

• Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate in West Des Moines. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up 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 really dig you!
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