Good morning, West Des Moines.

West Des Moines Parks and Recreation hosted a Trash Bash Competition on Tuesday where teams collected trash at various parks — the event celebrated Earth Day and encouraged small actions like biking to help nature.

A 17-year-old from Ames was arrested for a carjacking that occurred in Des Moines Sunday afternoon—police recovered a stolen 9mm handgun and are still searching for the 2017 Dodge Charger with a yellow and black paint scheme.

Iowa's 15 community colleges enrolled 119,310 students in 2024—a 1.8% increase from the previous year that shows a slow recovery from the pandemic drop from over 128,000 students; credit hours rose 2.7% and Des Moines Area Community College saw the largest gain.

Polk County announced Tuesday that the State Medical Examiner’s Office will perform autopsies to save up to $1 million a year in personnel costs and between $26—47 million by avoiding a new facility.

The county will work with the state on a $36 million expansion at DMACC in Ankeny while keeping its current Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Purple Stride Iowa walk will be held Saturday at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines and will gather survivors, advocates, and loved ones to raise $127,000 for pancreatic cancer research — part of a national effort to fight one of the deadliest cancers.

UnityPoint Health–Eyerly Ball opened its new building with two floors at 1319 Pennsylvania Ave. in Des Moines on Tuesday after a $10.4 million project funded by the Polk County Board of Supervisors, Prairie Meadows, Iowa and private donors.

President Cynthia Steidl Bishop said the facility now serves over 6,000 people a year by providing immediate crisis care and therapy services with plans to add a pharmacy this summer.

The Iowa House passed a bill that would require sellers to reveal if a property uses lead service lines (pipes running from the water main to the water meter), and the measure now awaits Senate debate.

Water utilities requested $5 million each year for the next 10 years to help replace over 100,000 active lead lines while an EPA rule to mandate replacement by 2037 is under review.

Game of Thrones Trivia Night

6-8 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — Enjoy happy hour with $4.50 pints — Test your knowledge of the Seven Kingdoms at Trophy Husband Trivia.

The Outreach Project

1-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Connect with community resources through advocates providing essential information.

Maria’s Cerveza-Ride

10 AM – 5 PM — Exile Brewing Company — $30 per rider — Enjoy a fun-filled 14-mile ride with friends while supporting a local non-profit.

Cancer Patient & Survivor Self-Care Retreat

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — UnityPoint Health - John Stoddard Cancer Center — Free entry — Immerse yourself in healing with forest bathing and art therapy designed for cancer patients and survivors.

Mini Gardens Workshop

3:00 – 3:45 PM — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Create whimsical Mini Gardens in honor of National Garden Month with all materials provided.

Beyond Birth: Baby's First Year

9-11 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — A weekly postpartum support group offering valuable insights for new parents and their babies.

After School Adventures: May Baskets

3:45-4:30 p.m. — West Des Moines Public Library — Registration required — Craft your own paper May baskets to celebrate spring and May Day festivities.

I Spy: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

All day — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a fun picture scavenger hunt for kids.

City Voices Spring Recital

6:30-8 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Free entry — Experience a vibrant spring recital featuring talented students performing classical, contemporary, and musical theatre works.

Secret Series Skate Contest

2-6 p.m. — Lauridsen Skatepark — $10 entry waived with t-shirt — All ages and skill levels compete with unique obstacles in a vibrant skateboarding community event.