The Sunday morning air hung heavy with humidity, leaving skin covered in a sticky film, and a gray pall covered the sky, threatening rain that would later fall. Observers — of all ages — settled into their spots, a buzzed excitement as clocks ticked ever so closer to 8 a.m. To the average Ames resident’s eye, it felt like a normal, less-than-sunny day. But for the triathletes lined up at the lake shore of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, it was the day to put their training to the test.
Ames civic leaders did a lot of listening on Tuesday and one thing was clear: an overwhelming majority of residents at the special meeting opposed a proposed data center. Residents who converged on the Ames City Auditorium for a city council listening session filled nearly every seat on the ground floor, with some standing against the walls and outside the doors. Many wore “No Data Center” pins and carried pamphlets with a similar message.
Iowa State University’s Lake Laverne, which sits on the south side of campus along Lincoln Way, is currently blocked off by metal fences surrounding the area and is void of water. This summer, the lake is under construction for a two-phase renovation. Construction started in late May, with completion set for fall or winter of 2027. The project’s main goal is to improve the depth and volume of the lake to better keep the water healthy.
Local events this weekend will help Ames celebrate the country's 250th anniversary, including fireworks at Jack Trice Stadium, a parade, a patriotic concert at Bandshell Park and a celebration at the Ames History Museum.
The Ames softball team took part in a Story County showdown with Gilbert and walked out with a 9-1 win on Tuesday. Kiley Sodahl commanded the circle for six innings for Ames, yielding only one run while recording six strikeouts and allowing no walks.
As we are in the summer season and outdoor activity increases around Ames, many people take part in recreational sports and fitness activities. Whether it’s golf, tennis, pickleball, jogging, cycling or simply spending more time outdoors, summer can bring an increase in physical activity levels. While returning to activity is beneficial for overall health and wellness, it can also place unexpected stress on the body if individuals are not physically prepared.
