Your Ames Voice

Thursday, April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Happy Thursday! 

In today’s newsletter we have a feature of ISU PD’s first working K-9, Zak. He’s a 2-year-old Belgian shepherd who joined the department last month. Also, the costs for updating the city’s power plant nearly doubled, and the city council needs to figure out how to pay for it. The council also discussed using solar energy as an alternative but the timeline is tight.

The Ames boys and girls soccer teams both had wins at home in the past few days. And in Community Voices, the 22-acre wildlife refuge Leopold Woods gets the spotlight.

We also want to continue highlighting our wonderful team of volunteers for the Ames Voice, they’ve been amazing, to say the least. 🤩 Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!


Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

Celebrating National Volunteer Week

On Tuesday, we covered the newsroom staff. Today, we recognize the people who built the platform they stand on.

Board of Directors: Our strategic guidance comes from a dedicated group of local leaders:

  • Kevin Stow (Board President)

  • Dan Culhane, Alison Doyle, Charlie Weaver and Allen Weber

  • And our newest voices: Luke Deardorf and Michele Appelgate

Fundraising Engine: A special recognition of Doug Burns, Brynn Sweere and Bob Woodward for their fundraising efforts and for opening the doors that allowed the Ames Voice to secure its future.

Founding Voices: We wouldn’t exist without the early belief of our founding organizers and sponsors: First National Bank, Pat Brown State Farm Insurance and Grandon's Funeral and Cremation Care.

Donors & Sustaining Members: To those who have contributed major gifts or monthly sustaining support — you are the financial bedrock that keeps our journalism independent.

Our Members & Subscribers: Finally, to our 1,000+ subscribers. You are the reason we do this. Whether you’ve been with us since our "early adopter" phase or joined us this morning, you are the most important part of the Ames Voice architecture.

Community Council (Our Founding Advisors): We are deeply indebted to this panel of local leaders and experts who helped shape our mission:

  • Lynne Carey (Former Director, Ames Public Library)

  • Carolynn Klaus (League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County)

  • Dr. Eric Abbott (ISU Greenlee School)

  • Mark Witherspoon (ISU Greenlee School)

  • Anthony Capps (former Ames Tribune reporter)

  • Mike Krapfl (ISU News Service)

  • Dr. Cornelia Butler-Flora & Dr. Jan Flora (ISU Sociology)

  • Ann Campbell (Former Ames Mayor)

  • Susan Gwiasda (Public Relations Officer, City of Ames)

  • Warren Madden (Former VP of Finance, Iowa State)

  • Bill Monroe (Former Director of the Iowa Newspaper Association)

  • Charlie Weaver (Executive Director, Minnesota Daily)

  • Allen Weber (Former President of the Ames Tribune)

Top Story

Zak’s first day of duty was March 22. He’s the first dog at ISUPD trained for law enforcement duties. | Photo: Fiona Winn

Paws-on service: 2-year-old Belgian Shepherd joins ISU PD

by Fiona Winn | Staff Reporter | Published on April 22, 2026

The Iowa State University Police Department welcomes a new addition to the force: Zak, a 2-year-old Belgian Shepherd trained in explosives detection.

Zak joined Officer Solomon Farner in March for a five-week training session. The two started their first day of duty together March 22. Zak’s the first dog at ISU PD trained for law enforcement duties. He was first working with police K-9, providing a new layer of security to campus events, operations and life.

Zak’s special nose is working in every room he enters, which adds up during eight- to 10-hour shifts with his handler, Farner.

 

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City of Ames

City Council

Ames Electric faces $190 million power plant overhaul

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

Updating Ames’ aging power plant cost $190 million.

That’s more than double early estimates and every electric customer in the city would help pay for the project through annual rate increases stretching to 2057.

In case you missed it:

Civic Calendar

Thurs (April 23): Ames Human Relations Commission, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room at City Hall (Ames)
Tue: Board of Supervisors, 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Tue: Ames City Council, 6 p.m., Council Chambers at City Hall (Ames)
Tue: Mary Greeley Medical Center Board of Trustees, noon, Atrium at Mary Greeley

Sports

Girls Soccer

Photos: Little Cyclones roll past Urbandale

by Davin Bakerink | Staff Reporter

On a warm, 70-degree Monday, Ames took control early and never let up in a 3-0 win over Urbandale.

Boys Soccer

Photos: Ames breaks halftime deadlock, pulls away from Marshalltown in second half

by Davin Bakerink | Staff Reporter

Both Marshalltown (4-1-2) and Ames (3-0-2) entered the Thursday match aiming to avoid their first defeat of the season.

More from Sports

Community Voices

Story County Conservation

The Outside Story: Leopold Woods

by Jim Colbert | Contributor

Perched on a low ridge a little north of Ames and just west of the South Skunk River sits a little “postage stamp-sized” natural area called Leopold Woods

 

More from Community Voices

In Other News

Ames CSD: Weddle Named Principal at Mitchell Elementary