FROM KCCI: Officials identify Iowa Lakes baseball player killed in bus crash. Authorities have identified the member of the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball program who died in a bus crash while the team was traveling to its next series. Carter "Tater" Johnson, 19, died in the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. More than 30 others on the bus were injured, including several who were hospitalized. Johnson, from Rapid City, South Dakota, was listed as a freshman outfielder on the Iowa Lakes baseball roster. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Norwalk nonprofit founder’s home vandalized, police investigate. It was a typical Tuesday morning for Norwalk resident Alison Hoeman until her neighbor knocked on her door. “He came and knocked on our front door and was like, ‘Hey, you guys are going to want to come and look at this,” said Hoeman. Her home had been vandalized with the word “RACIST” spray-painted on the front of the house in large black letters. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Jury convicts man after he attacked, choked Ankeny man during home invasion. A Polk County jury has convicted a man after an Ankeny home invasion in July 2025. According to a release from Polk County Attorney's Office, 28-year-old Gemiere Cortez Goodwin has been convicted of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and willful injury causing serious injury. In July 2025, police responded to a reported burglary at a home in Ankeny. When they arrived, officers found a 68-year-old man who was seriously injured. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, AP source says, as Iran tensions high. The United States will send the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East to back up another already there, a person familiar with the plans said Friday, putting more American firepower behind President Donald Trump’s efforts to coerce Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Journalist Don Lemon set to be arraigned in Minnesota church protest case. Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon is set to be arraigned in federal court in Minnesota on Friday along with four other defendants who were indicted for their alleged roles in disrupting a service at church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was a pastor. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 2 airlifted in critical condition after collision involving propane tanker. Authorities say two people were airlifted in critical condition following a collision with a propane tanker in northwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says the multi-vehicle collision occurred Thursday around 1:20 p.m. along Highway 9 and Country Highway K30, directly south of Lester. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Temperatures will continue to rise, reaching into the 60's by early next week before a cool down arrives mid week.

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

Piling on the protein
Protein is the “It macronutrient,” and everybody in the food industry is pushing it. Teriyaki Madness now has double protein bowls with up to a pound of meat in a serving. Plus they are running a buy-two, get-one-free deal the week beginning Valentine’s Day. They also have a $2 off curbside orders deal on Mondays through March... Flora in the Botanical Garden has a fabulous new protein kicker; tandoori tofu can be added to any soup or salad... Of the top 10 fast foods with the most protein, all ten feature chicken. Chick-fil-A's cool wrap is No. 1 with 43 grams of protein.

Breaking news
Northwoods walleye is back at Culver's through Lent.

Bet you didn't know
Octopus packs the most protein of all seafoods. That is probably part of the reason why it is becoming the "next new thing" in aquatic farming. Spain is the leader here. 

Weekend deals 
• Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa hosts a pasta brunch provided by Tumea and Sons, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pioneer Columbus Community Center, 2100 S.E. Fifth St., Des Moines. $12 adults, 2-12 $6, under 2 free.

• Krispy Kreme is running a limited time winter collection and a Valentine's Day collection. A dozen doughnuts run $19.99.

• Friday is ramen day at Wilson Orchard & Farm (3201 15th Ave., Cumming).

• Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Fridays, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.

• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering catfish basket specials today.

• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only. 

• All you can eat spaghetti is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola). Saturday is lasagna day, and Sundays, pan fried chicken is on super special.

• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers  "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday. They have a Friday special pulled pork sandwich, fries and fountain drink for $12. 



• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on their Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.
 
• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.



• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers Surf & Turf specials Fridays and $33 prime rib dinners Saturdays.



• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.
 
• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays. 
 
•  Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have open-faced turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $12. 

• G Mig's has Friday prime rib dinners with baked potatoes and asparagus for $32 or walleye piccata on orzo and rice for $28.  

• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday. 
 
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.

• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on navel oranges at $2.49/4-pound bag, red grapes at $1.49/pound, and short ribs at $7.29/ pound.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on pork ribeyes at four for $5, boneless, skinless chicken breasts at $2.99/pound and steamable frozen vegetables  for $.99.

• Whole Foods (4100 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers $1 oysters on Fridays with good selection and free shucking. 

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Tuesday on grass fed ground beef at $3.99/pound, mandarins at $2.50/2-pound bag and King crab legs at $29.99/pound. 

•  Price Chopper has sales through Monday on asparagus at $2.99/pound, red or gold potatoes at $2.99/5-pound bag, and frozen tilapia filets at $4.49/pound. 

Music
Grain Powered Duo plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... Everlasting Love - Patricia Holly plays The Ingersoll Theater at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Domita's Drag Brunch plays there Sunday at noon…   Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Joshua Sinclair is at Exile Brewing Sunday... The Get Down Band play Mickey's Irish Pub, Waukee, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1905: Teddy Roosevelt discusses America’s race problem. On Feb. 13, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt delivers a speech to the New York City Republican Club. … READ MORE

1920: League of Nations recognizes perpetual Swiss neutrality. The League of Nations, the international organization formed at the peace conference at Versailles in the wake of World War I, recognizes the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland on Feb. 13, 1920. … READ MORE

1923: First all-Black professional basketball team organized. On Feb. 13, 1923, the New York Renaissance, the first all-Black professional basketball team, is organized. The Renaissance, commonly called the Rens, become one of the dominant teams of the 1920s and 1930s.  … READ MORE

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