Bradi Bohlke Wins Market Hog Show
Honey Bees Play An Important Role For Agricultural Production
Garden Fight Between Resident And City Of Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman is fighting City Hall to protect the lush garden she has created along a parking strip.
The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines officials have asked 74-year-old Mary Farrell to cut back or remove the plants she has in the border strips near her home.
City code says borders between the street and sidewalk can only contain grass or naturally occurring plants.
City traffic engineer Jennifer McCoy says Farrell’s vegetation limits room on the sidewalk.
Farrell says she understands the safety concerns but that her garden provides beauty and has positive environmental effects.
Farrell’s appeal of the city code has been put on hold. She has until Aug. 29 to trim plants that are encroaching on the sidewalk.
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National Balloon Classic
INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) – The skies over southern Iowa will be dotted with nearly 100 hot air balloons through early August.
The National Balloon Classic has begun in Indianola and will run through Aug. 4.
Balloon pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening in the classic, filling the sky with the brilliant color and unique shapes of the balloons.
On the ground, those attending the festival will enjoy live music and other entertainment, food vendors and rides.
Balloon rides will also be available for purchase.
Housing Manager Fired
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A former Davenport official who admitted placing a hidden camera in a restroom has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The Quad-City Times reports 47-year-old Roy DeWitt was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty in June to eight counts of invasion of privacy.
DeWitt, a former city housing programs manager who now lives in Pella, said he was “extremely remorseful for what I did.”
An arrest affidavit stated that DeWitt concealed a digital camera in an employee-only restroom at a city-owned apartment building. The affidavit said eight people were recorded multiple times from January 2017 to March 2018.
DeWitt was fired March 19 after failing to attend an interview andpre-disciplinary meeting.
He had worked for the city since 2007.
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