Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How West Des Moines is rallying around an officer fighting cancer

And check out English With Friends on the West Des Moines Patch calendar

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Thursday September 10th Patch AM
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Cheers West Des Moines! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How West Des Moines is rallying around an officer fighting cancer
  • How long are ER waits at West Des Moines hospitals right now?
  • How a new cold case unit could impact West Des Moines families

Also on today's calendar: Friday Fun and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross an angry cow with an angry sheep? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and humid, temps: high: 85, low: 66.
  • Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 80 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. West Des Moines police officer with cancer finds support in community (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A longtime West Des Moines police officer battling stage 4 prostate cancer is drawing strong support from local residents and urging men here to get tested early. Community fundraisers at his Urbandale gym are helping cover travel costs to Mayo Clinic, while he invites others facing prostate cancer to connect with him through the department and prioritize their health and families.
   

2. Des Moines ER stays can run hours longer than Iowa average (axios.com) — If you visit MercyOne or UnityPoint ERs serving Des Moines and West Des Moines, you can expect stays roughly one to two hours longer than the Iowa median, new federal data show. Local hospitals say complex cases, growing volumes at Methodist West, and bed shortages are driving delays, even as they add fast-track systems, triage providers, and new beds to ease bottlenecks.
   

3. Polk County Sheriff's Office adds new cold case unit. What will it do? (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Polk County has created a funded Cold Case Unit that will re-examine more than 130 unsolved homicides and missing persons cases, working closely with West Des Moines police. Part-time specialists will use DNA and new investigative tools, with hiring open now, aiming to bring long-awaited answers and closure to families across the county.
   

4. Want to get more value for your beef? This steakhouse chef has tips (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A West Des Moines steakhouse chef shares practical ways local families can stretch pricey beef, from mixing in turkey or pork to bulking up taco meat with beans or mushrooms. He also recommends buying from Iowa meat lockers to get better quality and potentially save money when purchasing in bulk.
   

5. From Brock Purdy to Joe Burrow: Iowa's connections across the NFL (ourquadcities.com) — West Des Moines fans will spot familiar names in this rundown of more than 80 NFL players with Iowa ties, including Dowling Catholic and Valley High School standouts. The piece tracks where Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Panthers, Bulldogs, and Iowa-born players landed on active rosters, practice squads, or reserve lists, and notes several big offseason moves and injuries heading into the 2026 season.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday September 11
  • English With Friends →
    West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
    10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 West Des Moines Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making West Des Moines PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member in West Des Moines. Apply here.
  • RTX posted a job opening for Welder - Hiring Now 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: An animal that's in a baaaaad mooood! (Thank you Lisa A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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