The good

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and representatives from John Deere dedicated the home of a local single mother named Chandra, at 2333 E. 9th St., last week. The sponsorship is part of John Deere’s 175th Anniversary celebrations. John Deere Des Moines Works, John Deere Financial and John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group agreed that the best way to celebrate this milestone was to work together and give back to the community. Company employees volunteered with GDM Habitat for Humanity and build its 175th home in the Des Moines area. Construction activities on the home kicked off on Wednesday, May 2 and will now culminate with Chandra purchasing the home for a 20-year, no-interest mortgage in mid-July. This home build provided volunteer opportunities for nearly 300 John Deere employees. Additional partners on the project included the City of Des Moines and Van Wall Equipment.

The Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recently announced the selection of the 2012 Philanthropy Day award winners. Among the nominees are: Fred and Emily Weitz, of Des Moines, Larry and Kathi Zimpleman, of Cumming, US Bank, The Principal Charity Classic and Harrison Kruse, a youth from Johnston. Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Central Iowa through generous contributions. This group of philanthropic community leaders will be recognized on Friday, Nov. 16 at the 27th Annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon held at the Des Moines Marriott.

The bad

Way to go, super mom! Oklahoma resident Myia Natrice Cole, 30, was arrested last week after she left her 11-month-old child in a car seat in the middle of the street. According to police, Cole reported the child missing around 9:30 p.m., and when officers arrived at the scene to take a report, they found Cole and the child’s father extremely intoxicated. A witness told police she had picked Cole up earlier in the evening and when officers returned to that location, about a mile-and-a-half from Cole’s residence, they discovered a car seat laying face down in the road, with the child still inside. The child was dehydrated but otherwise unharmed. Cole was arrested and charged with child endangerment.

Another week and another crazy bath salts story. Last week, New York resident Nicole Campbell, 34, was arrested after she went a “bath salt rampage.” A neighbor called police after Campbell was trespassing. Upon arrival, officers found a half-naked Campbell in her backyard screaming obscenities. Several windows were smashed out and when officials tried to speak with Campbell, she picked up a golf club and threatened them. After fighting with officers, Campbell was eventually taken into custody. Campbell was arrested and charged with obstructing government administration, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

The ugly

This woman should be punished the same way she treated her dog. Texas officials arrested Herlinda Trigo, 44, last week after she tied her dog to the bumper of her car and drove off, eventually dragging the animal to death. A witness called 911 to reported seeing the dog tied to the back bumper of a truck. The witness pulled up next to Trigo’s vehicle and tried to motion that the dog was tied to the bumper, but Trigo cussed at him and sped off. He also stated he saw the dog’s neck snap and die. Officials located Trigo later that evening, and she told police she had tied the dog to her bumper by mistake because it recently had a litter of puppies. Trigo led police to where she dumped the dog’s body, and it still had the rope around its neck and signs of being dragged. Trigo was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

What a shitty situation. Utah officials arrested Angela Winters Hardman, 38, last week after she stole a $4,000 diamond ring and ate it, hoping to cash it in later after she crapped it out. According to police, Hardman entered a Macy’s store and asked if she could try on some jewelry. After the clerk handed her a $4,000 diamond ring, Hardman claimed she couldn’t get it off and told the employee she needed some lotion. When the employee turned to grab the lotion, Hardman took the ring off and swallowed it, and then handed a fake ring back to the employee. The employee recognized the ring as a fake and called security, but Hardman was released after officials couldn’t find the ring in her possession. Detectives took a look at the security footage and questioned Hardman, who eventually admitted to swallowing the ring. She said she pawned the ring for $600 after it came out the other end. Hardman was arrested and charged with felony retail theft. CV