Happy Thursday!
It’s a beautiful week to come back to school 📚.
Our top story this week features Iowa State First Lady Katie Cook coming back home after 30 years. In that time, Cook studied and worked in special education, which taught her the importance of patience and persistence — something she hopes to integrate into her leadership.
Also in this newsletter: The city council is seeking members for its resident committee on the data center and a statewide coalition recently that advocates for them. Some residents can opt out of Ames’ recycling and Story County Conservation has a new director.
Community Voices profiles William West, an early settler and Ames’ first mayor.
Thank you for your continued support,
Amber Mohmand, News Editor
[email protected]
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Top Story
Iowa State First Lady Katie Cook talks about coming back to Ames and her approach to leadership. (Photo: Amber Mohmand)
by Fiona Winn
After nearly three decades away, Katie Cook returned to the Ames community as Iowa State’s First Lady.
“We truly came home,” said Cook who, along with her husband, ISU President David Cook, are both natives of Ames.
Growing up in Ames, Cook always had a strong connection to Iowa State University.
She rode her bike around campus. She took her pets to Iowa State’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.
“Ames has always been a safe community,” Cook said. “We could bike all over, we could CyRide all over.”
News
City of Ames
by Bill Monroe
Ames city leaders want answers about how data centers might affect people’s health, local wildlife and even the temperature of nearby neighborhoods.
The city council created a resident data center study committee, and applications to join are now open.
Story County
by Amber Mohmand
The Story County Conservation Board named Ryan Wiemold as the new conservation director, effective Aug. 23.
Continuing coverage
⚡️ Data center: A new Iowa coalition is pushing for data center development while calling for companies to cover their energy costs and protect Iowa communities. The group, called Growing Iowa’s Economy, launched Aug. 3, includes labor unions, energy companies and chambers of commerce from across the state.
♻️ Recycling: Some Ames residents are opting out of recycling pickup because trucks can’t drive in some alleys due to low power lines, narrow lanes, fences and dead ends.
Civic Calendar
Thu (today): CANCELED Solar Showdown
Mon: Ames School Board regular meeting — 5:30 p.m., District Office, Board Room
Tue: Board of Supervisors — 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Tue: Public Art Commission — 5:30 p.m., Room 235, Ames City Hall
Wed: Planning & Zoning Commission — 7 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Thu: Property Maintenance Appeals Board — 4 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Thu: Public Nuisance Appeals Board — 5 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
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Community Voices
History
by Ames History Museum
William West and his family moved to Ames, where he ran the West House hotel on the corner of Douglas Avenue and 5th Street from 1869 to 1892.
More from Community Voices
🌿 The Jordan Family Wildlife Area is a quiet escape just outside Ames.
In Other News
📷 Ames residents are speaking out against Flock cameras. (Iowa State Daily)
♻️ Ames High sisters earned an EPA award for tackling plastic waste. (Ames Tribune)
🏃♀️ A former ISU track athlete is suing the NCAA over her eligibility. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
⚖️ Ames is inviting the community to celebrate City Attorney Mark Lambert's retirement on Friday. (City of Ames)
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