Wednesday, May 22, 2013
In one week, Ankeny Patch will have a brand new design and a whole new way to connect.
Ready for some exciting news? Here at Patch, we’re getting a whole new look. It’s coming next week and it’s going to make Ankeny Patch easier to use, and a better place to connect and share. The best part? You’ll be able to see it all on your mobile phone. Here’s what you need to know: Our site is being rebuilt from the ground up. The news will look better and be easier to comment on. And, you’ll find more local voices to keep you in the loop with the latest know-how and opinion. We’re adding Boards to make it easier for you to connect with each other, debate an issue, or announce your garage sale, graduation, or find a lost pet. More to say? It will be easier to start your own blog, too. You’ll soon be able to start your own blog …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
It's Emergency Medical Service Week.
Ankeny Mayor Gary Lorenz declared the week of May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week at a council meeting Monday. From right to left: Lt Brian Thomas, Jesse Guest, Deputy Chief Frank Prowant, Ben Truetken, Jesse Smith, Mayor Gary Lorenz, Nathan Baggett, Patrick Houlihan, Fire Chief Rex Mundt, Deputy Chief Rob Chiappano. The fire department will host an open house Wednesday, May 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.
A man accused of robbing two banks in Des Moines was found at an Ankeny hotel Monday according to a report.
Sign up for Ankeny Patch's free newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter Ankeny Police helped Des Moines police find a man accused of two separate bank robberies, according to WHO-TV. Beau Peterson, 30, was found overnight at a hotel in Ankeny before he was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery at the Des Moines Police Department. Peterson is accused of robbing the West Bank in Des Moines Monday and the Community State Bank on April 23, according to WHO-TV. First degree robbery is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
A massive search is underway for Kathlynn Shepard, 15, in Webster County, after authorities said she and another girl were abducted Monday.
A massive search is underway for Kathlynn Shepard, 15, in Webster County after authorities said she and another girl were abducted Monday. Authorities said a suspect, Michael J. Klunder, 42, was found dead Monday night at a rural property northeast of Dayton. He was on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Authorities said they suspect he offered Shepard and a 12-year-old girl a ride in his red Toyota Tundra pickup as they got off a school bus just before 4 p.m. Monday. Investigators said the 12-year-old was able to escape and ran to a nearby home after the girls were taken to an agricultural facility southeast of Dayton. Shepard, however, remains missing. She is 5'6" and 160 pounds. She has blond hair and blue eyes, as well as braces. She was …
Some helpful links with information for how to pitch in as Oklahomans try to pick up the pieces today from yesterday's massive tornado.
The devastating tornado that rocked Oklahoma on Monday hits close to home and leaves many wondering how to help. As an Iowan, living on the eastern edge of Tornado Alley, a humid spring morning can mean more than just turning on the air conditioning, it can mean a restless night of watching radars and listening for sirens as dangerous storms rumble our way across the Plains. It can mean helping your neighbor clean up if you are so fortunate to find your own home unaffected the next day. Despite Ankeny falling under two tornado warnings this week – two dangerous weather systems coming too close for comfort – one of the most notable tornadoes to hit the area was in June 1974 when an F4 came through Ankeny. Five years ago Friday, an EF5 …
Ankeny Patch readers said they would like a coffee house or book store more than any other in the vacant areas of Uptown.
When Ankeny Patch readers were asked what kind of businesses they would like in the newly renovated bowling alley, home to the Wheel House Pizzeria & Pub and in the Uptown answers ranged from locally owned restaurants to coffee houses and book stores. Readers said they would like a game room at the site of the former bowling alley at First and State streets or a Bath and Bodyworks. And a handful said they would like to see a coffee/snack shop or book store open up in the Uptown's vacant storefronts. Other answers included a a children's clothing/toy store, a brand name used clothing store like Plato's Closet, a Latino Store, a Learning Post Outlet, or a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch would be nice as well. A handful of properties are…
Monday, May 20, 2013
A gallery of storm photos including video of an ominous cloud formation looking northeast over Ankeny.
Ankeny and parts Polk County were under a tornado warning Monday night – the second time in a little over 24 hours. At 7:15 p.m. KCCI meteorologist John McLaughlin was on the air warning of funnel clouds in the sky on the north edge of Ankeny moving toward the new interchange on Interstate 35 and on to Elkhart. According to WHO-13 weather forecasters, the warning expires at 8:15 p.m. This video was shot just after 7 p.m. on Northeast Crestmoor Place facing northeast. Did you take photos or shoot video of tonight's ominous clouds? Upload them to the gallery attached to this article and we will share them.
Severe weather is moving through our area.
A tornado warning has been issued for Ankeny and northern Polk County. The warning expires at 7:45 p.m. At 7:15 p.m. KCCI meteorologist John McLaughlin was on the air warning of funnel clouds in the sky on the north edge of Ankeny moving toward the new interchange on Interstate 35 and on to Elkhart. Ankeny, Huxley, Alleman, Elkhart and Cambridge were within the warning zone, including Interstate 35 between mile markers 93 and 109. Original Story A thunderstorm watch has been issued for 39 counties in Iowa a day after severe weather caused power outages and damages around the state. The watch lasts until 1 a.m. Counties included in the watch are: Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Butler, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Des …
See photos from Ankeny's 2013 commencement exercises, held Sunday at Drake University's Knapp Center.
From Ankeny Community School District: On May 19 at 5:30 p.m., the 100th graduating class of Ankeny High School walked across the stage at the Drake Knapp Center in Des Moines and completed their high school careers. Seniors Kelsey Arneson, Cody Bock, Austin Heinzerling and Adam Hudson addressed the 491 members of their class. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bruce Kimpston and School Board President Pat Cahill also spoke to the graduates. See a full list of 2013 Ankeny graduates. Have a photo of your graduate you'd like to share? Upload it to this photo gallery by clicking on the green and white "Upload Photos and Video" button.
Fire department headquarters is hosting the open house as part of National Emergency Medical Services Week.
Ankeny residents will have the chance to dress like a firefighter, escape from a fire safety house and test fire extinguishers during the Fire Department's open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at 120 NW Ash Drive. The open house is being held in conjunction with National Emergency Medical Services Week. Ankeny Gary Lorenz is expected to issue a proclamation declaring the week at the city council meeting Monday. "Ankeny's EMS team provides critical emergency medical services that are second to none," Lorenz said in a release. "When someone is involved in an accident or experiences a serious illness in Ankeny, they will receive quality care from experienced and well trained professionals." The Fire Department's Open House will include …
Megan VerHelst
12:04 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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