Phillip Sitter

1 week ago | desmoinesregister.com | Phillip Sitter

Urbandale's draft master plan to revitalize its downtown area focuses on mixed-use spaces, pedestrian areas and green features. The plan also includes reconfiguring Douglas Avenue to three lanes and adding infrastructure. Other suburbs including Altoona, Grimes and Waukee are also working on downtown revitalization projects. Urbandale officials have come to the community with a draft plan for turning the city's downtown into a more vibrant destination in the coming decades.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Phillip Sitter

The former leader of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the theft of more than $250,000 from the organization. Melisa Cox, 47, entered the plea April 30 in Polk County court to four felony charges: theft, unauthorized use of a credit card, money laundering and fraudulent practice. The plea spared Cox from four other charges but is an admission she used a chamber-issued credit card for personal expenses and tried to cover it up.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Phillip Sitter

Dave Ball knows firsthand how the Youth Justice Initiative in West Des Moines can change lives, because he's a parent whose child received help turning their life around. The Youth Justice Initiative, or YJI, is a restorative justice program that encourages youth to do self-constructive things such as improve their academic performance, repair family relationships and avoid drug use, while avoiding a criminal record.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Phillip Sitter

The Youth Justice Initiative (YJI) in West Des Moines is a restorative justice program helping youth improve their lives and avoid criminal records. Volunteer Dave Ball, whose son successfully completed the program, emphasizes YJI's positive impact on families and students. YJI boasts a recidivism rate of less than 10% and utilizes "circle" meetings to foster accountability and support.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Phillip Sitter

The Bombers Golf and Hotel project in Johnston has been given another construction extension, with a new expectation that the golf facility's foundations are finished by next spring. Johnston City Council on April 21 approved another amendment to Bombers' development agreement, the eighth for the project since its original approval in February 2022. Developer Allen Stoye told the council at the meeting he feels good about where things stand.