Ankeny's Week in Review: Council Revisits Chambers Renovation, Saying Goodbye to Joe and More

1)

For the newest leader of the , his primary goal is simple — continue the great things started by those before him.

But aside from that, Tom Friedman, an Ankeny resident and the new president of the Chamber board of directors, still has new ideas he wants to add to that strong foundation.

Ankeny Patch recently sat down with Friedman at his day job of market manager for First National Bank in Ankeny to talk about what he hopes to accomplish during the next year as Chamber president.

2)

Quirky baby names...we've all heard them. Whether it's Jay-Z and Beyonce's Blue Ivy, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's Violet and Seraphina or January Jones' Xander Dane, they all seem to have that unique spin that will never get them confused with the Jennifers or Jacobs in the class.

What do you think? What did you name your child and how did you choose it? Does what you name your child have a lasting impact on them, good or bad?

3)

More than three months after the Ankeny City Council shot down a $175,000 plan to renovate the council chambers, it appears some council members are willing to reconsider the project.

At a special planning session Monday night, the city council revisited a project members shelved last October, a project designed to improve both safety and technology within the council chamber, .

4)

While the possibility of a statewide gas tax increase looms, some Ankeny businesses aren’t concerned as much for themselves as they are for their customers.

5)

Each week Ankeny Patch will post a collection of links to some of the stories in the area you may have missed. Don't miss this week's roundup!

6)

We spend a lot of money on gas already, and the price is expected to go up.

That's why on the surface a suggested Iowa fuel tax hike leaves a sour taste for many motorists, even if the tax is only 8 to 10 cents per gallon and will go to maintain Iowa's roads.

What do you think? Vote in one of this week's Patch polls and let us know in comments.

7)

In two weeks, a group of local residents will lay the smack down for a good cause.

Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping in Ankeny is hosting a fundraising event on Feb. 11 to raise money for the family of Dennis Hoefle, an Ankeny teacher and high school tennis coach .

8)

Sara Tourte remembers when her brother, Joe, was born. To this day, he had the biggest blue eyes she has ever seen.

His eyes and his huge smile were only a couple of the many things Joe used to win over the people he met, 21-year-old Sara said. 

“His smile was so contagious,” she said. “He just wanted everyone to be happy. He would always tell jokes and whenever anyone in our family was upset with one another, he would remind us that we loved each other and to quit arguing.”

9)

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced reports of norovirus activity have been increasing in recent weeks, after an earlier outbreak was reported across the state in December.

10)

The Hawks and the Maroons traded in their trademark colors for pink Friday night in a special event to raise money for cancer awareness.

hosted a special Coaches vs. Cancer event during the girls' and boys' basketball games against . In addition to the games, those who attended could purchase special cancer awareness memorabilia, take in the players' new threads and even enjoy a little ice cream. All proceeds wentto benefit the American Cancer Society.

11)

Each Friday, Ankeny Patch will feature an animal from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa waiting to be adopted into a good home. This week, we introduced you to Bruno, a 5-year-old male rottweiler.

12)

Stories and secrets were shared during the emotional funeral of 16-year-old Joe Tourte on Friday. The sophomore recently died from health complications while awaiting a heart transplant.

Several hundred people filled the , and an extra row had to be formed at the back of the building.