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Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement

Oversized vegetation in the street's median contributed to a crash, according to a lawsuit.

News

The Des Moines City Council agreed this week to pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming that plants in the medians along Fleur Drive contributed to an accident that injured a motorcyclist.Why it matters: The payout highlights how routine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streetscape decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" data-vars-content-id="caa1cfa4-dc98-4427-aa4c-a3ea5554b7b3" data-vars-headline="Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" target="_self">streetscape decisions</a> can expose cities to liability risks.

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Here are the latest restaurants opening and closing in the Des Moines area.

Food and Drink

Here are some of the latest restaurants that are opening, closing, or making moves across the metro.

Shooting range proposal worries Rusty Stars Alpacas farm owners

A proposed private shooting range near an alpaca farm heads to a zoning meeting next week.

The owners of an alpaca farm in Madison County are worried that a potential shooting range could disrupt their idyllic farmland.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Owners of Black Flag Arsenal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/BlackFlagArsenal/posts/pfbid0Eqmi5qxr292fvPYw5wbWHZKVb9dayYKLXWDYBquhez9tU2ZNiKvw3P1mJPsL1vKil" data-vars-content-id="30b01d7a-ed76-45fc-ac28-1f57a4cfb831" data-vars-headline="Shooting range proposal worries Rusty Stars Alpacas farm owners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackFlagArsenal/posts/pfbid0Eqmi5qxr292fvPYw5wbWHZKVb9dayYKLXWDYBquhez9tU2ZNiKvw3P1mJPsL1vKil" target="_blank">Owners of Black Flag Arsenal</a>, a Waukee gun shop, applied to build a private shooting range south of the farm, called The Vanguard, which goes up for a public hearing next week.

Arrest made in murder of Iowa realtor Ashley Okland

West Des Moines police have made an arrest in the nearly 15-year-old homicide case of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="realtor Ashley Okland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/04/08/des-moines-realtor-safety-ashley-okland-murder" data-vars-content-id="f44caa12-08ae-4a0c-96fc-44871793b21b" data-vars-headline="Arrest made in murder of Iowa realtor Ashley Okland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/04/08/des-moines-realtor-safety-ashley-okland-murder" target="_self">realtor Ashley Okland</a>, per the police department.State of play: Kristin Ramsey, 53, is charged with first-degree murder. <ul><li>West Des Moines Police will share more details about the arrest during a news conference at 9am Wednesday.</li></ul>Flashback: On April 8, 2011, Okland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was shot twice" data-vars-click-url="https://crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=unsolved&amp;ID=772&amp;SID=5954" data-vars-content-id="f44caa12-08ae-4a0c-96fc-44871793b21b" data-vars-headline="Arrest made in murder of Iowa realtor Ashley Okland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=unsolved&amp;ID=772&amp;SID=5954" target="_blank">was shot twice</a> while showing a model townhome near 84th Street and EP True Parkway.<ul><li>An employee for the townhome&#x27;s developer found Okland on the floor. She was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center downtown, where she later died.</li><li>In an interview with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios earlier this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/01/20/police-chief-crime-cold-case-west-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="f44caa12-08ae-4a0c-96fc-44871793b21b" data-vars-headline="Arrest made in murder of Iowa realtor Ashley Okland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/01/20/police-chief-crime-cold-case-west-des-moines" target="_self">Axios earlier this year</a>, former West Des Moines Police Chief Chris Scott shared that Okland&#x27;s homicide &quot;never collected dust&quot; and the department continued to get tips.</li></ul>

How to fake it: 2026 IHSAA boys state wrestling

Downtown Des Moines is bustling this weekend with wrestlers. Impress your friends with knowledge.

Sports

If you&#x27;ve noticed an unusual number of intense teenagers roaming the skywalks, you&#x27;ve found your answer: It&#x27;s state wrestling tournament weekend in Des Moines.Why it matters: Iowa consistently produces some of the country&#x27;s most elite wrestlers, so when you see a kid dominate in Des Moines this weekend, there&#x27;s a real chance you&#x27;re watching a future Olympian.

Elite basketball prep school opens this new Des Moines campus

The program reflects how prep sports are shifting toward professional-style development.

A private basketball prep school set to begin classes next week at a new campus on Des Moines&#x27; south side is gaining national attention after a video showcasing its advanced facilities went viral.Why it matters: The program reflects how prep sports are shifting toward professional-style development — with international recruiting, full-time coaching staffs, NIL opportunities and facilities rivaling Division I universities.

Game on: DMU debuts mobile lab for athlete performance

It uses a skeletal avatar and provides immediate feedback to medical staff.

Des Moines University Clinic has a new portable 3D lab — the first of its kind in the metro — designed to prevent and assess injuries from just about any location, including on-site at athletic fields.Why it matters: The high-tech system provides medical staff with real-time movement analysis that can improve rehabilitation, prevent injuries and boost athletic performance.<ul><li>It&#x27;s also helping broaden <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the university&#x27;s research initiatives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/06/06/cancer-therapy-desmoines-university-dmu-cervical" data-vars-content-id="4eb81ee2-6d36-463f-ac83-7be5c9138f14" data-vars-headline="Game on: DMU debuts mobile lab for athlete performance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/06/06/cancer-therapy-desmoines-university-dmu-cervical" target="_self">the university&#x27;s research initiatives</a>.</li></ul>

Caitlin Clark returns to Iowa City for a sold-out showdown

The Caitlin Clark effect is back in Iowa after her WNBA preseason homecoming sold out in 37 minutes.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday to take on the Brazilian National Team in a highly anticipated WNBA preseason game.Why it matters: The excitement behind her homecoming marks the return of the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Caitlin Clark effect" data-vars-click-url="https://dailyiowan.com/2025/04/29/the-caitlin-clark-effect-returns-to-carver-hawkeye-arena/" data-vars-content-id="ad3b9592-857b-44ba-ba09-7fac5f6e5c9d" data-vars-headline="Caitlin Clark returns to Iowa City for a sold-out showdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dailyiowan.com/2025/04/29/the-caitlin-clark-effect-returns-to-carver-hawkeye-arena/" target="_blank">Caitlin Clark effect</a>&quot; to Iowa City and another sold-out preseason game for the Indiana Fever.

Plus-size cyclists start inclusive rides in Des Moines

A new Des Moines cycling group welcomes all bodies — no weight loss goals, just joy, doughnuts, and a no-drop pace.

Health

Carrie Schurman&#x27;s bike symbolized freedom when she was a child. But as an adult, she found it a source of stress at times as she struggled with body image, ill-fitting cycling clothes and feeling like an outsider.Why it matters: Schurman started a Des Moines chapter of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All Bodies on Bikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.allbodiesonbikes.com/" data-vars-content-id="bb2beac1-5127-4a34-8c0a-fb7a616f285f" data-vars-headline="Plus-size cyclists start inclusive rides in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.allbodiesonbikes.com/" target="_blank">All Bodies on Bikes</a>, a size-inclusive cycling group that believes anyone who wants to ride a bike should be able to, without any emphasis on weight loss.

No, Caitlin Clark did not buy a homeless shelter in Des Moines

A viral Facebook post falsely claims Caitlin Clark bought a mansion for a youth shelter.

A viral feel-good Facebook post says Caitlin Clark invested $3.3 million to turn a Des Moines home into a youth homeless shelter, but that&#x27;s not the case.Reality check: The problem is, the house that&#x27;s shown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid024zxVQ9Zq1PGwT2NRCgtmp6gp4GfFXiC43gGGi6EpSFqzogyu8YncyTZZZ4puskozl&amp;id=61574050290492" data-vars-content-id="b59a4489-45b1-4c44-996f-2e3353f8e53f" data-vars-headline="No, Caitlin Clark did not buy a homeless shelter in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid024zxVQ9Zq1PGwT2NRCgtmp6gp4GfFXiC43gGGi6EpSFqzogyu8YncyTZZZ4puskozl&amp;id=61574050290492" target="_blank">in the post</a> is actually the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salisbury House and Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://salisburyhouse.org/" data-vars-content-id="b59a4489-45b1-4c44-996f-2e3353f8e53f" data-vars-headline="No, Caitlin Clark did not buy a homeless shelter in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://salisburyhouse.org/" target="_blank">Salisbury House and Gardens</a> — and no, Clark is not purchasing it.

A casual fan's guide to the Iowa Cubs

Springtime is finally here — and today should be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nice and warm Opening Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-cubs-2025-season-schedule-roster-tickets-promotions-principal-park-des-moines/64309080" data-vars-content-id="f5c4415b-0bb0-43cc-8d7b-697980cbc15b" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the Iowa Cubs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-cubs-2025-season-schedule-roster-tickets-promotions-principal-park-des-moines/64309080" target="_blank">nice and warm Opening Day</a> for the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park.Why it matters: The Cubs have been a major part of Des Moines&#x27; cultural scene for decades. They started as the Triple-A franchise the Iowa Oaks in 1969 and became the Cubs in 1982.

Four teams from Iowa headed to March Madness

Basketball fans are going to be glued to their TVs in March

Basketball fans in Iowa are going to be glued to their TVs in March — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four teams are playing in the NCAA Tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/14/drake-iowa-march-madness-tournament-hawkeyes-cyclones?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_desmoines&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="7e1ff947-2399-460b-855c-06f0689593ec" data-vars-headline="Four teams from Iowa headed to March Madness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/14/drake-iowa-march-madness-tournament-hawkeyes-cyclones?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_desmoines&amp;stream=top" target="_self">four teams are playing in the NCAA Tournament</a>.

Drake, other Iowa teams could be March Madness darlings

"D-II Drake" has wildly exceeded expectations this year.

March Madness doesn&#x27;t start until next week, but the Drake men&#x27;s basketball team is already one of the tournament&#x27;s best stories.Driving the news: After losing former coach Darian DeVries and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all but two players from last year&#x27;s team" data-vars-click-url="https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/yahoo-sports-am-drakes-shot-at-the-big-time-122008336.html" data-vars-content-id="c1c4e9ce-28a5-4fdf-a0a7-610f38fda326" data-vars-headline="Drake, other Iowa teams could be March Madness darlings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/yahoo-sports-am-drakes-shot-at-the-big-time-122008336.html" target="_blank">all but two players from last year&#x27;s team</a>, Drake replaced them with longtime Division II coach Ben McCollum and a roster primarily of non-Division I players.<ul><li>&quot;D-II Drake&quot; has wildly exceeded expectations this year. Last Sunday, the Bulldogs won their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference tournament title, clinched an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament and became the first team in college basketball to win 30 games this season.</li></ul>

Iowa, Iowa State are well represented at 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins could have a big weekend.

The NFL is in its offseason, but the journey to the 2025 NFL Draft begins this week with the combine.Why it matters: The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, which starts Thursday in Indianapolis, is a chance for athletes to improve (or hurt) their draft stock — and 12 players from Iowa and Iowa State were invited this year.

Sports 🏅

How to fake it: 2026 IHSAA boys state wrestling

Elite basketball prep school opens this new Des Moines campus

Game on: DMU debuts mobile lab for athlete performance

Caitlin Clark returns to Iowa City for a sold-out showdown

Plus-size cyclists start inclusive rides in Des Moines