Des Moines Hotel Renovation
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A $40 million renovation is expected to begin soon on a landmark historic hotel in downtown Des Moines.
The Des Moines Register reports that the 101-year-old Hotel Fort Des Moines will be turned into a Hilton Hotel boutique inn. Hawkeye Hotels purchased the hotel in 2015 for $4 million.
Raj Patel is chief development officer for Hawkeye Hotels. He says interior demolition is expected to begin in the next 30 to 60 days.
Officials say the renovation will restore and maintain many of the
hotel’s historic elements, while updating its 290 rooms with modern designs.
One of the largest parts of the project will be the removal of a second floor to expose the lobby’s original two-story ceiling.
Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
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Ag Secretary Has Advice For Cover Crops
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s agriculture secretary is offering spring management tips for farmers using cover crops.
Cover crops are used to reduce erosion, protect water quality and improve soil health until row crops like corn and soybeans are planted in the spring.
State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says late winter conditions are causing challenges this spring to cover crops planted last fall. Naig says it’s important to allow the cover crop to grow as long as possible to maximize the benefits. He says that is typically easier for soybeans after winter cover crops because of the later planting date and less potential impact on soybeans.
More information and tips on cover crops in Iowa can be found online at www.cleanwateriowa.org/cover-crops ,
www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/content/cover-crop-resources or
www.practicalfarmers.org/member-priorities/cover-crops/ .
Federal Prisoner Found To Have Synthetic Marijuana
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Prosecutors say a federal prisoner has been sentenced to more jail time for being found with synthetic marijuana while behind bars.
Official say 32-year-old Ivan Antonio Cervantes was sentenced Wednesday to 18 additional months in prison and two years of supervised release.
The sentenced is to be served after his current 70-month sentence for another felony drug offense.
Prosecutors say Cervantes and others distributed the synthetic marijuana while imprisoned at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs. Jail staff seized the drug from Cervantes’ cell with the use of a drug-sniffing dog on May 17.
Further investigation revealed another individual brought the substance to the jail, and then distributed the substance to other inmates.
Des Moines Police Investigate Fatal Shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police in Des Moines are investigating a fatal shooting on the city’s east side.
Des Moines police say in a news release that the shooting happened just before 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Officers responding to the area where the shooting was reported found a man already dead at the scene.
Police have not released the victim’s name. No arrests had been reported by late Saturday morning.
Officials say it is Des Moines’ third homicide this year.
Eastern Iowa Sports Complex Nearly Completed
BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) – Work is nearly complete on a $50 million sports complex in eastern Iowa that includes soccer and baseball fields, hardwood courts and an entertainment center.
The Quad-City Times reports that the new TBK Bank Sports Complex in Bettendorf sprawls across 76 acres. It’s being developed by BettPlex LLC and its founder Doug Kratz.
Complex marketing director Kira Brabeck says it will open May 4 with a baseball tournament. The bowling and entertainment center will open May 29, while the indoor sports complex and fitness center will open June 15.
The center will offer league activities for children and adults in
baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, bowling and flag
football.
Complex officials expect the facility to draw more than 750,000 visitors annually.
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