Ankeny Patch: The Week in Review

1) The city of Ankeny is launching a comprehensive wellness program designed to encourage its employees to live a healthier lifestyle. , a dietary supplement produced by Ankeny-based Embria Health Sciences designed to boost an individual’s immune system. City employees gave EpiCor a shot for six months, taking it from October 2010 until March of this year. At the end of the city’s study, doctor visits for cold, flu and respiratory symptoms had decreased by 28 percent.

2) Armed with their class schedules and books Monday, exploring the halls and taking in the wide, open spaces of the new Ankeny High School. At the end of the day, there was one word on the minds of Ankeny students to describe their new digs: big.

3) Concerns raised by residents about possible flooding and traffic safety in the Deer Creek Estates development to delay action on a plat change. The area in question is the northern end of Deer Creek, which borders Northeast Frisk Drive to the west and 18th Street to the north.

4) . According to a count done by each administrator in the district’s 13 schools, 8,875 students attended the first day of school Monday. This year’s projected enrollment for the district, Wendt said, was 8,862.

5) Ankeny is among several Iowa communities recently . Ankeny ranked 86th on this year's list. Other Iowa cities on the list include Johnston (13), Urbandale (72), North Liberty (74) and Bettendorf (95).

6) Dogs of all sizes came out with their owners last night to take in the cool waters of in Ankeny. The held its annual Pooch Paddle Dog Swim Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. The event gave dogs a chance to swim, wade or play in the water with their owners before the pool is drained for the season. Did you see ?

7) With an I-JOBS grant, Snyder and Associates in Ankeny is installing a variety of green options in its own facility to demonstrate energy-saving practices businesses, institutions and residences can implement. ?

8) Influential Republicans in Ankeny, other Iowa communities and two other early-voting states feel Michele Bachmann has gained the most ground recently following her showing in last week’s GOP debate and the Ames Straw Poll. One-third of those responding to , New Hampshire and South Carolina said Bachmann was seen as having done the most good for her campaign last week. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who entered the presidential race on Saturday and campaigned in Iowa this week, finished second, with 30 percent.

9) Did you meet Sia, Ankeny Patch's Adopt this Pet of the Week? If not, .

10) Traffic accidents, confusion in the lunch lines and forgotten locker combinations were snags to overcome in . But aside from what she called “typical first-day-of-school issues,” Principal Brenda Colby said good preparation, cooperation and positive attitudes made the first week at the new $43 million school a success.

11) The Ankeny Hawks, on the strength of a 24-point first half and a mostly stingy defense, hung on to win their home opener last night over Waukee, 31-20. Did you see ?