Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Valley West Mall is suddenly pushing out its last tenants
Happening soon: THE SCHEELS - FOLDS OF HONOR IOWA 2026 RUCK OF REMEMBRANCE on the West Des Moines Patch calendar
What's up West Des Moines! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Valley West Mall is suddenly pushing out its last tenants
- What West Des Moines shoppers should know before buying THC drinks
- How West Des Moines officers helped stop an I-35 shooting spree
Also on today's calendar: Historical West Des Moines Cemetery Tour and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Very warm, with a high of 85 and low of 62 degrees.
- Saturday: A steady breeze, temps: high: 85, low: 58.
- Sunday: Very warm, with a high of 83 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Valley West Mall's new owner pushing out remaining tenants (weareiowa.com) — Valley West Mall in West Des Moines is forcing its final 17 tenants, including the Des Moines Children's Museum and longtime shop Chocolaterie Stam, to vacate within 30 days as new owners prepare for redevelopment. Business owners say the short notice, coming just before the holiday season, feels abrupt and disrespectful, and some are scrambling to relocate while hoping to return after changes are complete. 
• THC Drinks in Iowa: Are They Legal, Where to Buy Them and What's Changing (2026) (herb.co) — West Des Moines is highlighted as one of Iowa's main hubs for legal hemp-derived THC drinks, giving local adults several nearby options. The piece explains current state potency limits, where you can buy compliant beverages, how to verify legality, and how upcoming federal changes after December 11, 2026 could affect availability across Iowa.
• What we know about Andrew Tanaka and the Interstate 35 shooting in Iowa (attackofthefanboy.com) — Law enforcement agencies, including West Des Moines police, responded after a 27-year-old man allegedly fired at multiple vehicles on Interstate 35 near Martensdale, injuring one woman and leading to several attempted murder charges. The interstate was shut down for hours as officers arrested the suspect and began an ongoing investigation, with a preliminary court hearing set for October 16 and no motive yet disclosed.
📸 Around West Des Moines
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- THE SCHEELS - FOLDS OF HONOR IOWA 2026 RUCK OF REMEMBRANCE →
West Des Moines
Saturday October 10
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Historical West Des Moines Cemetery Tour →
Jordan House Museum, Fuller Road, West Des Moines
9:00 am - Beginner's Crochet: Make Your Own Bookmark →
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
9:30 am - WDM Writer's Group →
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
10:00 am - Adoption Event at ARL West inside Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes →
ARL West, 1500 22nd St., West Des Moines
10:00 am - Saturday Storytime →
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
10:30 am - Learn to play the harmonica with Blues musician Bob Pace →
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
2:00 pm - Iowa Cigar Co. →
Iowa Cigar Co., 1401 22nd St., West Des Moines
3:00 pm - Break Time West (Single Parent Provision) →
Single Parent Provision at Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
5:30 pm - Explore Baptism →
Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines
8:00 am - Forever in Love: Bridal Show →
Events Center West, 1701 25th Street, West Des Moines
11:00 am - Indivisible 515 →
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
4:00 pm
Saturday October 10
Sunday October 11
📣 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:
- Tech Stack Digital Solutions — (515) 855-6499
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. posted a job opening for Full Time Assistant Manager - Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Apply here.
- RTX posted a job opening for 2nd Shift_ Welder-Brazer I_ Onsite in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.
🗞 Nearby News
Clive
- Polk County helps fund Youth Crisis Observation Center (weareiowa.com)
- CenturyLink not ending landline service in Lee County — yet (mississippivalleypublishing.com)
- Top 5 Contenders for Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Revealed (morningagclips.com)
Urbandale
- Talent abound at FDSH Invitational (messengernews.net)
- Iowa's first Buc-ee's proposal hits a setback (newsbreak.com)
- From Farms To Furniture Stores, 1 Source Solar Helps Iowans Cut Energy Costs (thebusinessdownload.com)
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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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