The good

Two Roosevelt High School alums were admitted into the Theodore Roosevelt Hall of Fame last week: musician Justin Roberts (Class of 1988) and adventurer Charlie Wittmack (Class of 1995). Roberts, of Justin and The Not Ready for Naptime Players, is considered “the hardest working man in children’s show business” and one of the “all stars” of the indie family music scene, touring thousands of miles each year. His achievements include a Grammy nomination and performances on “The Today Show,” Nick Jr. TV, and World Series broadcasts. Wittmack was the first person to complete The World Triathlon — an 8,000-mile triathlon stretching from England to Nepal; the first American to complete The Peak & Pond; the first Iowan to climb Mount Everest; and the first American to have swum the length of the River Thames in England. Plaques commemorating both men’s achievements hang in the hallways of the school.
The Des Moines City Council approved plans to advance a recreational trail that would connect the Gray’s Lake neighborhood to the park that shares its name. The Gray’s Lake Neighborhood Connecting Trail is expected to be completed by the end of the summer and will be .6 miles long and 10 feet wide. It will run from the intersection of Casady Drive and Bell Avenue to the south side of Gray’s Lake Park and may also be part of the Southwest 14th Street project, which could eventually connect Blank Park Zoo to downtown. The Des Moines City Council agreed to match funds generated by the Gray’s Lake neighbors to help cover the $550,000 cost. That’s a sensible example of public and private teamwork.

The bad

Even the Easter Bunny needs his fix. Two weeks ago, Virginia native Joshua Lee Bolling, 24, was entertaining kids by dressing up as the Easter Bunny at a local mall — while high on prescription medication. According to police, Bolling’s co-workers ratted him out for using drugs during his breaks. When police arrived, they discovered Bolling had numerous prescription pills in his possession. Officers let Bolling change into his normal attire before escorting him away. Bolling was arrested and charged with drug possession.

We’re not sure how much U.S. secret servicemen are paid to protect President Obama, but we’re betting it’s enough to afford a decent prostitute — especially in Columbia, where one of the 11 agents who were alleged to have solicited sex from prostitutes refused to pay the $45 he owed for one of the woman’s services. An argument between the prostitute and her John led to the investigation of 11 agents and five U.S. soldiers for “cavorting with prostitutes” and “inappropriate conduct” at a hotel in Cartegna, where Obama was scheduled to visit.

The ugly

This guy apparently didn’t bring enough entertainment to keep him busy during his bus ride. Kentucky resident William Todd, 24, was arrested last week after he committed 11 felony crimes in Nashville, Tenn., while on a bus layover. According to police, Todd was in the city for a nine-hour layover and began a crime spree all over the city that included breaking into a local slaughterhouse and stealing a stun gun, a pistol and a shotgun; firing shots inside the building; stealing a T-shirt; and setting the building on fire. Todd went on to rob four people of their cash and credit cards outside of a bar at gunpoint, tasing one of the victims and pistol-whipping another; carjacking a cab driver; using stolen credit cards for more than $200 worth of purchases at Wal-Mart, breaking into a law office; trashing the office; and defecating on a desk. Then he impersonated a female housekeeper and knocked on several hotel rooms, eventually taking a Canadian couple hostage at gunpoint. Police eventually caught him and charged him with 11 felonies including aggravated assault, burglary and fraud.

It’s sexy time in eastern Iowa. Johnson County officials arrested 16 people — men and women — during a two-day prostitution sting in Coralville last week. Law enforcement agencies joined forces to conduct the sting, which focused on internet prostitution ads. Sixteen people, including an Iowa City dentist, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry and an anesthesiologist from Mercy Iowa City, were charged with prostitution. Hey, even hard core liberals get horny. CV