DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines was forced to close today after a water main break. Water flooded the area beneath Flix Brewhouse inside the mall, known as Flix Court, according to KCCI-TV. Individual department stores will be able to open if they have an outside entrance and don’t need access to the mall’s water supply. Visitors won’t be able to walk through the mall. When the mall will reopen is yet to be determined.
ALDEN, IA (IRN) – An Alden man who admitted to molesting his granddaughter may end up getting probation instead of prison time. WHO-TV reports 61-year-old Dean Hilpipre faces as many as 50 years behind bars if convicted. But as part of a plea deal, prosecutors will recommend a suspended sentence and probation at his sentencing. The mother of the girl is outraged, and is asking the public to attend sentencing on February 23 at 10 am at the Hardin County Courthouse to help convince the judge to reject the plea.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Meredith Corporation will cut about 600 jobs at a Time Inc. customer service center in Florida in its first major move to consolidate the two businesses. The jobs will move to Des Moines. Des Moines-based Meredith completed its $2.8 billion acquisition of Time on Feb. 1.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City may soon change its definition of gender identity. Right now, it’s only male or female. KCRG-TV reports the City council voted Tuesday night 7-0 to change that. The new ordinance will allow people to identify as “non-binary” on documentation if they don’t feel they fall into the category of male or female.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines mother said she learned her lesson after police found her 3-year-old son wandering a south side neighborhood in subfreezing temperatures without a coat. KCCI-TV reports the mother had left the boy to be watched by her fiance. The boy was sleeping when the fiance decided he would take a nap too. A neighbor found the boy. The boy’s OK, the fiance feels terrible, and mom says that it won’t happen again. No charges will be filed. The boy left the home because he decided it was time for a trip to McDonalds.