Iowa Town That's Growing Like 'Crazy', Possible Abduction Attempt, Accidental Drowning in Cedar River: Top 9

Why nine? Because the Patch community includes nine sites in Iowa: Ames, Ankeny, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Johnston, Marion, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines.

9. Ankeny is one of Iowa's fastest growing communities, and the northwest side of town is rumbling with a slate of new projects like a Mercy Health Clinic, the new Centennial High School, a new elementary school and Iowa Methodist Medical Center owns bare ground nearby. One longtime resident Debbie Jetmund said, “It's gone crazy.” 

8. The Ames community has rallied around Moriah Perkins in her search for her missing golden retriever, Archer. The female dog went missing after a home burglary on July 2.

7. Cedar Falls Patch reports that a woman whose body was found floating in the Cedar River in Waterloo Tuesday died of accidental drowning, according to an autopsy. The woman was identified as Shanda Fawn Werkmeister, 35, of Waterloo.

6. Urbandale High School saw a shakeup when its principal of 11 years, Richard Hutchinson, resigned for health reasons. Associate principal Brian Coppess will serve as interim principal of the school for the upcoming school year. 

5. A 14-year-old West Des Moines boy said that he was approached by two men in a van one morning as he rode his bike. The driver reportedly pulled over and one of the occupants slid the door open, but drove on when traffic approached. The vehicle came back at the boy, but left the area when more traffic came.

4. Genesis Homes of Iowa based in Waukee, has a house in the Des Moines Home Builders Association’s showcase that boasts about 3,800 square feet on two levels. Features include marble inlay, Asian walnut floors, a high-end master suite, hidden pantry, wet bar and game area, and a showcase stairway.

3. In Marion, community leaders are excited to get started on an artistic amphitheater project that will host performances of all kinds. An architect for the stunning Klopfenstein Amphitheater in Lowe Park said that it will blend art with nature, including an oak leaf canopy. 

2. Parents in the Iowa City area are crying foul about possible plans to close up to three elementary schools in the district as part of facilities overhaul. 

1. A 31-year-old Johnston man, Louis Friestad, was charged with child endangerment and a gun law violation after his 8-year-old took a loaded gun to Lawson Elementary School. He was expected to appear in court. 

Read past Top 9's:

Human Skull Found Near River, Five-Alarm Brewery, Help Shawn Johnson, Police Locked and Loaded with AR-15s: Top 9