The good

Each year, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students earn a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT test for college. This year, three members of that elite group hail from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. Corey Grief of Des Moines, Matthew MacKay of Urbandale and Megan Mansfield of Des Moines each earned a perfect 36 composite score in April. Earlier this year, Roosevelt was ranked second in Iowa in preparing students for post-secondary education, according to the Washington Post's High School Challenge Index, and it placed in the top 25 percent on the nation-wide index.

In Iowa, we say we're "A Place to Grow," and we mean it. Greater Des Moines recently has been named the best place for professionals, families and jobs, which shows our state has promise over others. But we're by no means perfect. Challenges with economic competitiveness, social equity, environmental resilience and a tight fiscal environment still need addressed. So a group of citizens and community leaders are developing The Tomorrow Plan, a burgeoning initiative formed to engage the community in envisioning how the future of the greater Des Moines region will sustain over the next 40 years. Join the initiative this weekend at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St., on Sept. 13 from 4-8 p.m.

The bad

Some people prefer plastic. Last week, Ohio resident Edwin Charles Tobergta, 32, was arrested and charged with public indecency after he was found having his way with a pool raft. According to police, a witness called 9-1-1 complaining about a man who had stolen his pool raft and was in the process of having sex with it. The following day, Tobergta was apprehended at his home and admitted to the incident. Surprisingly, this wasn't Tobergta's first time, as court records showed he has been arrested at least five other times on similar charges.

Luckily, a quick reaction from a local principal and the school's security staff stopped an incident that could've ended a lot worse. Last week, Hoover High School Principal Doug Wheeler was attacked after Jose Sanchez Jr., 18, was detained when he tried to enter the school. Sanchez, who is not a student at Hoover, tried to enter the school, but was stopped by security officers. When Wheeler asked him to leave, Sanchez became violent, attacking the principal. They got Sanchez under control, and he was arrested and charged with two counts of harassment, criminal trespass, assault causing injury and disorderly conduct.

The ugly

Here are two more examples of why certain people shouldn't be mothers. Last week, Florida resident Elizabeth Garcia, 19, was arrested after she attempted to beat her 2-year-old son with concrete. According to police, an investigation was launched after they received a video of Garcia holding the baby with one hand and attempting to hit it with a large chunk of concrete. Luckily, two unknown men stepped in the way and prevented Garcia from hitting the child. When police arrived, Garcia pulled out a knife and resisted arrest. She was charged with attempted murder, felony child abuse, obstructing an officer and illegal use of a weapon.

Arizona native Jessica Callaway, 21, was arrested last week on child abuse charges after smacking her 10-month old baby and blowing marijuana smoke in her face. According to police, a witness used a cellphone camera to record Callaway abusing her 10-month old daughter. On the video, Callaway is seen picking her daughter up by the leg and spanking her, screaming at the child and telling her "to shut the fuck up" when she wouldn't stop crying and striking the baby in the face. Callaway then blew marijuana smoke several times into the baby's mouth, hoping it would calm her down. When officers questioned Callaway, she told them she "had been having a bad day because she couldn't find an outfit to wear." Orange jumpsuits should suit her fine. CV