Sept. 15 Daily Umbrella: Cooling towers eyed as likely Legionella outbreak source; dogs rescued from feces-filled home; what did

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025

Good morning to you!

Last Tuesday, we held our first Best of Guthrie County Awards Presentation. The poll and the event are similar to what we have done with CITYVIEW’s Best of Des Moines event for the past two decades. I wanted to bring a similar effort to other communities we serve, and we did just that in Guthrie County. It was a great evening, honoring a few hundred of the people, places and events that our Guthrie County publications’ readers deemed the best.

The following day, my wife and I traveled to Mobile, Alabama, for the Association of Community Publishers (ACP) Conference and Trade Show. Along with the training and networking, the association pays tributes to a few of its members for various contributions.

I was honored to receive ACP’s Distinguished Service Award, which is presented each year to an individual who the association determines to have made “significant, lasting contributions to both ACP and the community publishing industry. It recognizes those who have given their time, talents and vision to benefit fellow publishers — always with the industry's success in mind, rather than personal gain.”

Quite often, awards of this type are presented to those on their way out of the industry. Several years ago, I traveled to another industry conference where one of my former bosses and ongoing mentors, Gary Gerlach, was honored with a similar award. I asked him afterwards how it felt to be honored in such a way. Gary smiled and said, “It makes me feel old.” We both laughed at the time, and I am still smiling now. If Gary is reading this today, I hope he is, too.

Much has changed in our industry during the past few decades. Most noticeably, there are fewer of us. Mergers and acquisitions impacted our numbers as the large chains bought many of the independents and decimated them in a short time. Other publishers crumpled due to the financial pressures of increased costs and failure to modernize their publications to meet today’s needs. Those who remain, though, are the fighters, the ones who learned to adapt, to manage their expenses and to find new ways to accommodate their readers and advertisers while not selling their souls or compromising their principles.

I have been working in the industry in some capacity for nearly 40 years and managing and launching newspapers, magazines, websites, events and niche publications during much of it. And, although I admit that I am feeling older at times, I plan to keep learning, keep growing and, hopefully, keep publishing sustainable newspapers and magazines and holding events that honor those who make me proud to call this area home.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

News headlines

FROM KCCI: Legionella outbreak in Marshall County grows to 54 cases, 1 death; cooling towers eyed as likely source. The Legionella outbreak in Marshall County is growing, with 54 confirmed cases and one death, according to Iowa Health and Human Services. State health investigators are focusing on cooling towers in north-central Marshalltown as the most likely source. State epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Donahue said investigators zeroed in on the towers by mapping where patients spent most of their time. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Social media backlash and flag disrespect over Charlie Kirk death spark investigations in Iowa. Some Iowa educators who teach at the state’s public universities could face disciplinary action for making controversial comments on social media following the death of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk. The Iowa Board of Regents addressed the issue in a statement released Friday, emphasizing that Kirk’s death “should not be celebrated.” ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Here's why water in the Des Moines River will be 'significantly lower' this week. Boaters on the Des Moines River and Birdland Marina should expect "significantly lower" water levels this week, the city of Des Moines said in a press release.
The city of Des Moines will install flashboards at Center Street Dam beginning Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. The installation is designed to improve recreational safety and usability on the river. To prepare, the city is also adjusting the outflow of water at Saylorville Reservoir Dam beginning Monday. Once the flashboards are installed, the outflow at Saylorville Reservoir Dam will be restored and the water will rise to its original depth. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Israel’s military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun and warns residents to leave. The Israeli military began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City on Tuesday, slowly squeezing in on the Palestinian territory’s largest city that has seen block after block already destroyed in the Israel-Hamas war. Residents still in the city were warned they must leave and head south. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting likely to face charges Tuesday before first court hearing. Prosecutors are preparing to file a capital murder charge Tuesday against the Utah man who authorities say held a “leftist ideology” and may have been “radicalized” online before he was arrested in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 4 charged after several dogs rescued from feces-filled Iowa home, camper. Four people have been charged in connection to an animal neglect case where law enforcement and animal rescue groups discovered several dogs in a feces-filled home and camper in August. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A few spotty showers or storms are possible today, but there's a much better chance that we'll miss out on rainfall. Much better chances come our way starting Wednesday morning as a slow-moving upper-level area of low pressure wanders across the upper Midwest. This may actually hang around all the way into Sunday. 1-2" of rainfall are possible during this time.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Pollen tracker

Tree pollen: None

Grass pollen: None

Ragweed pollen: Moderate

The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Local Place to Go Swimming

1. Valley View Aquatic Center

2. Clive Aquatic Center

3. Cascade Falls Aquatic Center

See all of the results

Tuesday Touts

Tuesday Touts
Masao's sushi is on a level of its own locally. Their desserts are also happy surprises, like the four-hour Pavlova pictured here. Read more about this joint here.

Irina’s new four-course special includes a choice of three first courses, two seconds and five thirds (including lobster thermidor, beef tenderloin Oscar and miso sea bass) plus a chef’s choice dessert for $75.

Deals today
• Mullet’s Norwalk offers a free kids meal per adult meal on Tuesday’s 4 p.m. to close.

• Mickey's Irish Pub (50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee) has a special $7 half-pound burger with a side all day Tuesday.

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a Tendy's Tuesday tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are running a breakfast special Monday through Friday of buy a breakfast, get one half priced.

• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special cheeseburger with fries, tots or salad and a drink for $10.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $7 breakfasts and $8 burgers Tuesdays.

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) offers a special smashburger with cheese, fries and a draft beer for $10 on Tuesdays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.

• Gateway Market will sample wine 4-6 p.m. for a free tasting on Tuesday.

• Red Robin stores are featuring a $10 cheeseburger with an "endless side" on Tuesdays.

• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one. Because tonight is an Indiana WNBA game night, the West Des Moines Jethro's has a "Fever Reliever" special of any two appetizers on the Happy Hour menu and two pints of domestic beer for $22.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special hot beef sandwich for $13.50.

• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).

• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines), La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines), all Taco John's, all Abelardo's, all Fernando’s, Malo (900 Mulberry St., Des Moines), Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines), Los Laureles (1518 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines), The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines), Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) and Faustino’s (4944 Franklin Ave., Des Moines).

• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).

• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) has happy hour all night Tuesdays. That means super deals on oysters, shrimp, duck frites, poutine, charcuterie, cheese boards, beers, wine and classic martinis.

• Sully's (806 First St., West Des Moines) has a burger basket special for $12 today.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) hosts a Tuesday Burger & Beer special - ½ pound burger, chips and dip, with a tap beer of choice $15.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a tenderloin Tuesday special with BPT and fries for $10.

• Curbin Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Dr., Ankeny) offers cheeseburgers and fries for $7.99 on Tuesdays.

• G Mig’s (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Tuesday special 8-ounce prime sirloin, baked potato, mixed vegetables and garlic bread for 19.95.

• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free fried tofu/miso with lunch entrees today.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) has $10 burger and fries and a drink on Tuesdays.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are offering a tenderloin Tuesday special with potato salad for $7.

• Ruby Tuesdays offers $5.95 burgers with fries on Tuesdays.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

FILM REVIEW
‘Honey Don’t!’ is a chaotic, stylish neo-noir that refuses to play it straight

By David Rowley

“Honey Don’t!”
R | 90 minutes
Directors: Ethan Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke
Stars: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans

In the sun-bleached, conservative community of Bakersfield, California, a Pontiac Firebird cuts through the dust and heat. Behind the wheel is Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), a private investigator with a husky voice, a quick wit and a low tolerance for nonsense. Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s “Honey Don’t!” is a wild neo-noir dark comedy that moves with a pace that never lets up once it gets going — a deliciously chaotic twist on genre conventions that is as refreshing as it is overstuffed. ...

Featured home for sale

Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

$524,900

75 N.W. Ashley Court
Waukee, IA 50263

Beautiful KRM resale in Waukee’s Ashley Acres! Better than new, this 5-bed, 3-bath home boasts 2,600 sf of upgraded living space. Enjoy an open-concept layout with abundant natural light, vaulted ceilings, large windows, and kitchen featuring a large island, quartz countertops, tile backsplash, gas stove, Bosch refrigerator, walk-in pantry, and soft-close cabinets. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

2501 WESTOWN PARKWAY, WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-05-05
SALE PRICE: $2,325,000
SELLER: DABRAMA LLC
BUYER: 2501 HOLDINGS LLC
ACRES: 3.181
SQUARE FEET: 24,420

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Indianola Living magazine

Paddling along
Lawson’s collection is a reminder of life’s adventures.

By Becky Kolosik

Blair Lawson moved to Indianola in 1971 when his parents retired here to care for his grandmother Nellie Lester, who owned and operated a farm in rural Warren County.

“I had just finished up tours in Pakistan and Germany with the U.S. Air Force,” Lawson explains. “Since I no longer had a home in Detroit, I followed my parents here and lived with them until I met and married my first wife, Margaret.”

Today, a portion of his grandmother’s farmland is home to the Warren County Conservation Board and Annett Nature Center. It’s no surprise that Lawson has a connection to the outdoors. He and Margaret enjoyed many years together before she passed away from melanoma in 2000. Their home just east of Indianola, where Lawson still lives, had room for a piano studio where Margaret could teach lessons, as well as some land with a barn and space for gardening, growing wildflowers and even raising goats. ...

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Bengals already calling free agent QBs after Joe Burrow injury. The Bengals' worst fears came true on Monday morning as, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, quarterback Joe Burrow will undergo surgery for the turf toe injury he suffered in the team's win over the Jaguars on Sunday. He will miss at least the next three months of the 2025 season. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy expected to miss 2-4 weeks. J.J. McCarthy's star-crossed NFL career took another turn Monday when a seemingly innocuous right ankle roll was diagnosed as a high ankle sprain that will sideline him for two to four weeks, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Astros All-Star Yordan Alvarez sprains ankle slipping on home plate in 6-3 win over Rangers. Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez injured his left ankle crossing home plate Monday night, leaving Houston without its All-Star during a critical juncture of the AL West race. ... READ MORE

1620: Mayflower departs England. On Sept. 16, 1620, the Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England, bound for the Americas with 102 passengers. The ship was headed for Virginia, where the colonists—half religious dissenters and half entrepreneurs—had been authorized to settle by the British crown. However, stormy weather and navigational errors forced the Mayflower off course, and on November 21 the “Pilgrims” reached Massachusetts, where they founded the first permanent European settlement in New England in late December. ... READ MORE

1893: Settlers race to claim land in Oklahoma. On Sept. 16, 1893, the largest land run in history begins with more than 100,000 people pouring into the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma to claim valuable land that had once belonged to Native Americans. With a single shot from a pistol the mad dash began, and land-hungry pioneers on horseback and in carriages raced forward to stake their claims to the best acres. ... READ MORE

1940: United States imposes the draft. The Burke-Wadsworth Act is passed by Congress on Sept. 16, 1940, by wide margins in both houses, and the first peacetime draft in the history of the United States is imposed. Selective Service was born. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Chase Stokes, Nick Jonas, Flo Rida, Alexis Bledel, Gleb Savchenko, Amy Poehler, Ian Harding, Marc Anthony, Jennnifer Tilly, Kyla Pratt, Piper Rubio, Loona, Ed Begley Jr., Marcus T. Gray

SUBMIT: Send your local birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What lights up a soccer stadium? A SOCCER MATCH! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, grandparents watching their grandchildren play! - Rex Post

Today's riddle: What did the drummer name her twin daughters?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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