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FREE EVENT: Home Ownership Information

FREE EVENT: Home Ownership Information

Des Moines area home buyers are being offered free educational sessions Thursday, May 30th.

The program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, home ownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS and the Iowa Association of REALTORS.

It’s being held at the latter’s office on NW 114th Street in Clive from 6 p.m.

To register, click here

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MISSION TRIP: Clive Church Members Bound For Kenya

A dozen members from Living Faith Lutheran Church in Clive are bound for Kenya.  Six native Iowans and six native Kenyans left this afternoon for a nearly two-week long mission trip.

“When they first came to us, they were just looking for a place to worship,” says Pastor Luke Timm.

It didn’t take long for the Swahili congregation to become part of the church.

“After a few months, they just became part of the family and we just kind of grew together,” says Timm.

For half of the group, the mission trip is a homecoming of sorts.

“We are not only going to Kenya to visit our family, but we are going to spread the gospel.   That is the main thing we are excited about,” says Felistas Njenge.

She is returning home for the first time in three years.   Njenge says many are in need in her homeland.

PUBLIC ART: Making Art Accessible

Public art has always been a part of the community, but new initiatives are making it even more accessible for people across the metro.

A central Iowa artist unveils “The Bike Club” at the Polk County Health Department on Carpenter Avenue Friday. Festivities go until 8 p.m. It’s the first in a series of paintings created to encourage people to get moving. The artist, Dick Shock, is raising $70,000 for the project through donations.

Sculptor Jun Kaneko unveiled five untitled “Dangos” this fall along the Principal Riverwalk. Visitor Jody Pertzborn says, “I think it brings vitalization downtown and brings people downtown where they need to be.”

TOP HOG: Producer Nominees Wanted

TOP HOG: Producer Nominees Wanted

Nominations are wanted for the the 2013 Master Pork Producer and Environmental Steward awards.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association began the program in 1942.

“Iowa’s pork producers represent some of the most efficient, innovative and adaptive in the industry,” said Tyler Bettin, IPPA producer education director. “It is important that we continue to recognize the efforts of our best and brightest producers. Doing this demonstrates to consumers our commitment to the environment and production of safe food while also educating other producers of best management practices and industry opportunities.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the 2014 Iowa Pork Congress in January and will receive a $1,000 cash award.

Nomination forms and instructions can be found at iowapork.org.

 

TAKE BACK: Local Law Enforcement Holding Gun Events

Several metro police departments are teaming up for “Gun Take Back” events later this week.

Police departments from Urbandale, Clive, Windsor Heights, and West Des Moines are working together to collect unwanted or unusable firearms and ammunition. The event is being held Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Urbandale Police Department at 3740 86th Street.

Individuals dropping off firearms or ammo must have identification and they’ll receive nothing of value for relinquishing the firearms. Police also ask that you unload the firearms and store them in the trunk of your vehicle.

Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Mitchellville and Pleasant Hill police departments are holding similar events at their departments on Friday from noon until 6:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Lunch On The Plaza

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Lunch On The Plaza

The first Lunch on the Plaza in Clive is set to take place.

On Friday, May 31st, a Free lunch will be served by the Clive Historical Society from 11:30 to 1:00 pm at the Aasheim Plaza located at 8575 University Blvd.

There will be music and is open to the public.

“Lunch on the Plaza” will be held the last Friday of each month until September and are sponsored by local businesses and groups.

COSTLY HOAX: The Price Of A Prank On Police

SWAT team, snipers, and negotiators were all under the impression a man had shot his own mother and had explosives inside his home.

It happened shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday night. Des Moines police were called to the 3900 block of 54th street.

It didn’t take long for officers to realize they had been pranked.

“There were two officers right there, three over there, and a lot over there,” said Ah Doh, a neighbor.

“It was terrifying to put it mildly,” said Marvel Rodbush.

Law enforcement spent about three hours at the scene making sure no one was in danger.

Meanwhile, other calls didn’t stop coming into the dispatch center.

In those three hours, 53 calls came in including four for domestic disputes, four fights, three thefts, and a burglary.

With approximately thirty officers at the scene, it is likely response time was slowed.