Your trusted source for local Des Moines, IA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The Des Moines Public Library will eliminate late fines for most materials starting January 16, 2024, a move aimed at increasing accessibility for low-income families. This policy, approved on December 19, 2023, will also retroactively remove past fines, allowing blocked patrons to renew their library cards. The initiative reflects the library's ongoing efforts to reduce barriers and enhance community engagement.
Chris Coleman was sworn in as the new Ward I Council Representative for Des Moines, Iowa, following a special election on November 7, 2023. With a long history of public service, Coleman expressed his eagerness to contribute to the growth and development of the neighborhoods he represents. His election comes after the resignation of former Councilwoman Indira Sheumaker.
The City of Des Moines has received a comprehensive assessment and 46 recommendations for its police department from the independent firm 21st Century Policing Solutions. This report, initiated in November 2022, evaluates DMPD's policies and practices to enhance community interactions and public safety. City Manager Scott Sanders emphasized the report as a roadmap for improvement, demonstrating a commitment to high standards of public safety.
The Des Moines City Council is set to consider the ADAPT DSM plan, the city's first comprehensive climate action and adaptation strategy, aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This plan, developed with extensive community engagement, outlines over 100 actions, including 35 priority initiatives to be completed by 2035, reflecting a significant local commitment to combating climate change.
The Des Moines Park and Recreation Department will begin removing cemetery decorations from municipal cemeteries on October 1, 2023. Families are advised to collect any personal decorations by September 30 to avoid disposal. The cleanup process will be completed by October 20, with decorations allowed to be placed again starting March 1, 2024.
The Des Moines Fire Department's Water Emergency Team (WET Team) participated in a unique joint training exercise with local military units at Saylorville Lake, enhancing their water rescue skills. This collaborative training, which involved multiple fire departments, is crucial for improving operational readiness for large-scale rescue operations in the future.
The Des Moines Fire Department and Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA) have launched a mobile medical simulation training truck designed to enhance emergency medical training across Central Iowa. This innovative initiative aims to improve life-saving skills for medical providers and significantly expand educational outreach, building on the success of previous training events that reached over 3,000 individuals in 62 counties since June 2022.
Des Moines residents have a final chance for free hazardous waste disposal at the Mega SCRUB event on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bell Avenue Business Park. This event allows for the disposal of various hazardous materials, including paints, batteries, and electronics, ensuring a cleaner community.
The City of Des Moines has scheduled community-wide adult mosquito control treatments starting on August 29, 2023, following the detection of West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes. While no cases of the virus have been reported in humans or pets, the city encourages residents to eliminate standing water and take precautions against mosquito bites.
Second Avenue in Des Moines will close at W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway starting August 27, 2023, for an essential sewer separation project mandated by the EPA. The closure is expected to last three to four months, pending an archeological study due to the area's historical significance. The Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority emphasizes the importance of this project for cleaner water in the community.