Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 6th of June.
Good morning, Ankeny.
💼 Business
Ben Houk, owner of White Rabbit Virtual Reality Arcade at Merle Hay Mall, is asking the Ankeny community to help his business avoid closing soon as low foot traffic has hurt his sales.
He launched Groupon discounts and a GoFundMe with a starting goal of $30,000—hoping more customers will help him move the arcade outside the mall if needed.
🌲 Environment
Today kicks off Iowa’s free fishing weekend as the Iowa DNR waives fishing licenses for anyone aged 16 and older to fish ponds, lakes, and rivers until June 8 — all existing fishing laws still apply.
Families can join hands-on events like children’s fishing derbies at local spots such as Westside Park and DMACC Ankeny Campus.
🏥 Health
Iowa health officials confirmed the state's first measles case since 2019 on May 23rd— the unvaccinated patient had traveled internationally.
Contact tracers completed their investigation and expect no widespread public exposure while local doctors advise anyone with symptoms to call a health provider immediately.
Families in Iowa can sign up for the Healthy Kids Iowa summer meal program that gives eligible children up to $40 of healthy foods each month in June, July and August.
Participating pantries offer on-site applications and Iowa Health and Human Services said 14 locations in Polk County are available — check local details — to help families enroll.
🎉 Ankeny Events
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Bacoon Ride 2025
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Raccoon River Valley Trailhead — Registration required — Enjoy a fun-filled bike ride with delicious bacon-themed treats along the scenic trail.
Taylor Swift Music Camp
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. — School of Rock — $479 — Dive into the world of Taylor Swift’s music in a five-day camp with performance opportunities.
Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit
12 AM — FFA Enrichment Center — $35/person ($50 day of) — Engage with educators and artists at Iowa's leading fine arts education conference.
Funky Memphis - Inferno Series
7-9 p.m. — Firetrucker Brewery — Free entry — Enjoy an energetic live performance by an acoustic trio covering 90s Alternative and Grunge hits on the patio.
Virtual Tour of The Rose of East Des Moines
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — The Rose of East Des Moines — Free entry — Explore assisted living services and discover exceptional senior care surrounded by a beautiful riverside setting.
Summer Doormat Painting Class
6-8 p.m. — Uptown Garage Brewing Co. — $35 class fee — Create a personalized doormat to welcome summer with friends.
Junior Tour Classic at Ankeny
9 a.m. — Ankeny Golf and Country Club — Entry fee required — Compete in a 9-hole event for junior golfers hosted by the Iowa PGA.
🏠 Ankeny Real Estate
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💼 Ankeny Job Board
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📣 Ankeny Announcements
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