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Good Bad Ugly

4/24/2013

The good

GoodThe IMT Des Moines Marathon held a group run/walk last weekend to show its solidarity with those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. Bright and early on Saturday morning, volunteers met at Nollen Plaza for a moment of silence and reflection before proceeding with a support walk/run of between one and six miles. IMT Des Moines Marathon collected no money or registration for the event.

An AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) teamed up with the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) this month. Volunteers built six Habitat homes and completed 15 to 20 home repairs though the Rock the Block program last weekend primarily in the Martin Luther King Jr. neighborhood. An estimated 20-plus families were served this month, including interior and exterior painting, windows and door installations, landscaping and more. GDM Habitat engages low-income homebuyers earning 30-60 percent of the area median income and community volunteers to build and rehabilitate houses, which are sold at no profit and financed with a 20-year, no interest mortgage.

 

The bad

CNA - Stop HIV Iowa

BADDes Moines Police have arrested a 16-year-old girl in connection with the April 14 alleged murder of Anthony Moss, 19, of Chicago, which occurred at the 600 block of Forest Avenue. Moss’ was the first of what turned out to be two homicides that occurred within hours and blocks of each other that day. Hailey Bass, of Des Moines, went to the police the night of April 15 and made a statement that led to her arrest. Although Bass is a juvenile, the first-degree murder charge is an automatic waiver to adult court. Police continue investigating the murder of 20-year-old Kenyatta Taylor, who was also shot and killed at 926 Oakridge Drive. Police, as of press time, do not know if the two acts are related.

Police are searching for an unknown white male suspect who entered the Walgreens at 2930 E. University and jumped over the pharmacy counter to help himself to prescription meds. He reportedly displayed a knife to employees behind the counter and demanded hydromorphone. Employees complied with his demands, and the suspect left. No one was injured. Anyone with information regarding the man’s identity is asked to call 515-283-4864 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400. Tips given to Crime Stoppers may result in a reward of up to $1,000 and are anonymous.

 

The ugly

UGLYElvis has left the building. After more than 30 hours of negotiations at a stand-off at 3118 Wright St. last weekend, Des Moines police arrested the 53-year-old resident there, Michael Reed. Reed, an Elvis Prelsley impersonator who once spent $12,000 on a King-like makeover, was the one who had called police last Saturday evening disgruntled about a property exchange that had occurred with an acquaintance. While cops were on the scene speaking with Reed, a third party called to report him as being armed and suicidal. Reed became upset and went into his house and returned with a shotgun. He reportedly yelled at officers and then fired at least one shot at them. The cops returned fire but missed Reed who retreated back into the house and refused to come out. Eventually negotiators coaxed Reed out onto his porch where he was tased and subsequently whisked away for a little Jailhouse Rock. Thank you. Thankyouverymuch.

Remember when the teacher passed around a vial of mercury in science class and warned you not to touch it, because it’s extremely toxic, and exposure can lead to a variety of physical, cognitive and behavioral problems? Specialists at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have recently declared that efforts to keep mercury thermostats out of the trash in Iowa and nationwide are failing, estimating that, nationally, only about 8 percent are being collected and about 50 tons of mercury leaks into the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 2 million to 3 million thermostats go out of service annually in the U.S. and into landfills. Each contains an average of four grams of mercury. CV

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