The Top Weight Loss Clinic in Windsor Heights, GA

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa — Since 1973 it’s been a place that’s dealt in confidence. Mr. Executive has mended bruised egos and sometimes more.

“There’s a lot of medical situations where people have scars on their heads or they’ve had some cancer or whatever,” says owner, Leon Emmons, “and we make some small prosthetic hair systems for them so that they can just be like anyone else.”

A private place, where even public figures could turn.

“One of the first clients we had was (former Drake and Iowa State basketball coaching legend) Maury John,” Emmons remembers. “Maury had cancer and we got a wig for him.”

But Emmons’ 51st year in business is off to a bad start. He was told by his landlord he’d have to relocate by June.

For the 76-year-old, two-time cancer survivor, the timing is terrible.

“I’ve got two employees and I’ve got several hundred customers still wanting service,” he says. “And the service that I provide is not provided by anyone else in this area.”

The move will make way for a new Casey’s convenience store at 70th and University in Windsor Heights.

And it’s hard to miss the logic: the large valuable property contains only the small retail and office building, much of which is empty. But then, logic isn’t always popular.

“The city council really has disappointed a lot of people in Windsor Heights,” Emmons said. ”They’ve got a Kum and Go down the street and we don’t need a Casey’s here.”

Councilwoman Lauren Campbell admits that some neighbors were initially upset, but says owner Colby Interests and Casey’s met the city’s code requirements for a conditional use permit.

“Casey’s did make some changes to their site plan to accommodate neighbors’ requests,” she said.

The changes include additional fencing at the rear of the property and a public art display at the corner of the property.

Fortunately, the one thing America has plenty of is retail space, and Mr. Executive will move to nearby Sherwood Forest at 73rd and Hickman.

After he settles there, Emmons can consider more long-term plans.

“An old gentleman told me one time, and I think it’s a very wise statement,” Emmons remembers. “He says ‘Man plans; God laughs.’ We don’t have control over what’s going on. We just have to do the best we can.”

A unique business in a not-so-unique situation; delayers of progress … getting pushed aside by it.

Residents fighting a new gas station in Windsor Heights have suffered a loss in their decade-long battle.

Casey’s General Stores aims to put a convenience store and gas station at 6961 University Ave., just east across 70th Street from the suburban city's Hy-Vee store. The city's council chambers were standing room only as the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve the chain's request to rezone the property.

The decision came after residents spoke in opposition to the plan, raising concerns about how the store would affect their property values and traffic and the impact another gas station would have on the community. A Kum & Go is located just to the west of Hy-Vee.

"The majority of the residents don't want this," said Coleen Kelleher. "We want something that that will enhance our city, that won't be open from 5 in the morning to 11 at night."

The 1.29-acre lot is currently occupied by a two-story office building that's more than 50 years old. According to the Polk County Assessor's Office, it's owned by the Colby family of Colby Interests, formed in 1947. The family-owned real estate development and management company developed as much as half of the residential property in Windsor Heights and owns the land the city's Walmart Supercenter and Sam's Club occupy.

More: Casey's will add 40 more stores than expected as buying spree continues

The proposal would entail demolishing the existing structure and building a 4,283-square-foot convenience store. A report from city staff said the project would cost up to $5 million and that the sale of sale of fuel, prepared foods and other goods would produce "significant" property tax benefits to the city.

"I've seen a lot of changes within Windsor Heights," said Stephen Loew, who's resided for 35 years in a house that backs up to the property. "I just asked you to remember this is not Colby Ville. This is not Casey's Ville. This is Windsor Heights, Iowa."

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission will review Casey's plans in a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. After that, it will be up to the City Council in March to determine whether to approve the project.

Windsor Heights residents also fought Fast & Fresh, Aldi

This isn't the first time a company has sought to put a gas station at the corner of 70th Street and University Avenue: Hy-Vee proposed to build a Fast & Fresh there in 2014, but residents beat it back.

The then-director of real estate for Hy-Vee, Rob Wadle, said the plan would have improved traffic by moving the store's access point on 70th Street to the north and adding more parking. Neighbors were not convinced, expressing concerns for pedestrian safety, noise and "fumes."

"I don't want to see a town like some of our suburbs that are mostly strip malls and gas stations," Jen Strate, a resident, told the Des Moines Register at the time.

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected the plan, and the City Council concurred. Hy-Vee later acquired a former QuickTrip store at 7220 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights and converted it into a Fast & Fresh.

The following year, residents showed up in opposition to the Aldi store that would later be built at 7100 University Ave. across from Hy-Vee, a property also owned by the Colby trust. Though some complained about oversaturating the area with big-box stores, the plan eventually was greenlit in 2021.

Casey's is 'the best fit,' property owners say

Brian Sheriff, president of Colby Interests, told the board that the Colbys have owned the property since it was farmland — long before the construction of the office building in 1972. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the company has struggled with vacancies at the property.

"In August of '21, we spent $47,000 on refurbishing and redoing the entire parking lot, both front and back, in hopes to retain and attract tenants to this property. Unfortunately, that effort was not rewarded," Sheriff said.

He said the building currently is less than half rented and doesn't generate enough revenue to cover maintenance expenses or the property taxes. The property also has seen a steady decline in its assessed value and is poised to lose even more in years to come, he said.

"Over the last 2 1/2 years, we've been trying to figure out what can we bring to this site to redevelop that is an attractive use for the community and for Windsor Heights," he said, citing discussion with Chick-fil-a, Walgreens and CVS. "Of the options that were available for this location, we're thrilled to bring Casey's to this site."

According to the report from city staff, a convenience store and gas station would also create between 25 and 35 full and part-time jobs.

Justin Williams, owner of A New Look Windows and More and chair of the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of Casey's proposal. He noted that other options for the property wouldn't provide the same stability or contribute as much to the city's tax base.

"I think redevelopment of the corner is inevitable," Williams said. "So whether you're for or against the Casey's, I think that something will change."

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 and [email protected], and follow her on Twitter at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Casey's poised to build Windsor Heights gas station despite opposition

IOWA, USA — For families looking to trick-or-treat in a way only Iowa can, Beggars' Night is fast approaching.

Beggars' Night began in 1938 as a way to keep kids safe on Halloween night, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa.

By celebrating just one day earlier, police could focus their energy on combatting vandalism and other holiday shenanigans.

Beggars' Night also features an extra twist to the classic Halloween tradition: trick-or-treaters must tell a joke before they receive something sweet.

The Des Moines metro isn't the only place that officially celebrates Beggars' Night — others include Buffalo, New York, and Columbus, Ohio.

Every Halloween season, it seems, there's some confusion about "Beggar's Night." Here's the back story: The tradition...

Posted by State Historical Society of Iowa on Monday, October 26, 2020

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However, not all central Iowa communities celebrate Beggars' Night on the same day, and some forego the night altogether. Last year, the Bondurant City Council shifted Beggars' Night from the day before Halloween, to the last Saturday of October.

"I think it's a lot less of an inconvenience to parents, and even the kids. You know, the kids don't have to worry about hurrying up and getting home and I like it," Kathy Rupe, a Bondurant resident, told Local 5 last year.

Regardless of when you celebrate or what you call it, there are a few guidelines families should follow as they trick-or-treat. Cities across the metro encourage trick-or-treaters to travel in groups, preferably with a parent or guardian. Additionally, trick-or-treaters should wear light or reflective clothing and always cross using traffic signals or crosswalks.

If you're hoping to trick-or-treat this year, here is a list of dates and times for Beggars' Night across central Iowa.

Beggars' Night Schedules

Is there a city we're missing? Text us at 515-457-9645 or email us at [email protected]

WINDSOR HEIGHTS — Pumpkins and zombies, a corn maze and witches, and other fall sights await those attending “Haunted Halloween” at the Freeland Farm on weekends now through the end of October.

The farm is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with the public invited to come visit “Zombie Land,” the “Witches’ Coven” and the “Haunted Cemetery.” All three areas are inhabited with creatures crafted by owner Eric Freeland and his staff, and some of them are even animatronic.

More creatures are located inside a corn maze, which features about 1,000 square feet of walking trail, according to Freeland. A smaller straw bale maze also has been set aside for children.

Freeland noted his is the only haunted farm in the region this Halloween season.

“It should be a good day for people,” he said. “It saves them from driving all the way to Pittsburgh.”

Freeland explained the idea of his haunted farm is “not to cater to teenage horror seekers,” but to be family oriented.

“We want to be scary, but not gory,” he added.

There are motion-activated zombies that move and sound when a visitor comes by, as well as a few witches and some spiders. Freeland said his favorite creatures to work with are skeletons, which can be placed between corn stalks or in a tire swing.

There is even a little humor along the paths. Scarecrow renditions of former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden can be seen shoulder to shoulder among the corn stalks.

“They’re just spoofs, and we wanted to show them equally,” Freeland said. “They’re buddies here.”

This weekend Midge’s Hot Dogs will be available for purchase at the haunted farm. Future weekends will see chefs Rocco Basil and Brian Magliochette. There will also be fall treats such as zucchini bread, pumpkin cookies and apple butter available for sale, as well as end of the season produce.

Freeland expects as many as 250 to 300 people to attend each day, with about 2,000 visiting the farm before Halloween.

Most spend about two hours enjoying their stay.

The cost to enter the haunted farm is $20 a car load.

The Freeland Farm is located at 2470 Windy Hill Road near the Ohio County-Brooke County line.

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IONIA — Ionia County is offering its administrator position to an Iowa city official.

The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to extend a conditional offer of employment to Dennis Durham and to direct the Michigan Municipal League to complete a background investigation and conduct further reference review.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to authorize District One Commissioner and Chair David Hodges and Interim Administrator Jason Eppler to initiate discussions with Durham on an employment agreement. The board will approve the contract prior to signature.

More:Ionia County will interview candidates, select a new administrator Saturday

In the event Durham does not become Ionia County administrator, the county will offer the position to Patrick Jordan, who is the Escanaba city manager.

Durham is the current city administrator of Windsor Heights, Iowa. He has served in the position since September 2020. He has 27 years of experience. Durham decided to apply for the job in hopes of being closer to his family in the Kalamazoo area.

“My wife and I are really keen on getting back to West Michigan for family reasons,” Durham said. “Ionia County has a lot of challenges coming in the near future. Any municipal manager who likes a challenge is looking for communities or county organizations that need them. That’s where I thrive. I’m really excited about what is coming up for the county and what role I could play.”

The county board had a special meeting Saturday, Sept. 24, that lasted roughly six hours to determine its next administrator. Commissioners interviewed Jordan; former Middletown (Ohio) City Manager James Palenick; St. Ignace City Manager Darcy Long; and Durham.

Commissioners selected Durham and Jordan as their top two candidates. After deliberation, they decided to offer the position to Durham, who was the lone candidate to interview remotely over Zoom. Durham said he was participating in a festival in Windsor Heights.

District Six Commissioner Jack Shattuck believes Durham fills many of the skillsets the county is looking for.

“I think he’ll be here for (a little bit longer) than some of the other candidates,” Shattuck said.

District Three Commissioner Karen Banks said Durham stood out — believing he interviewed the best of the four candidates.

“In my mind, he is a very good communicator,” Banks said. “He’ll be a good collaborator.”

District Seven Commissioner Georgia Sharp did not have Durham as one of her top two candidates, saying she didn’t believe Durham researched the county prior to the interview based on some of his answers. Hodges also didn’t have Durham in his top two, but said he would support whomever the board decides.

“I trust the judgment of this board,” he said.

Durham previously served as city manager of Parchment, located in Kalamazoo County, from November 2007 until March 2017. He later served as city manager of Carlton, Oregon, from June 2018 to September 2020, when he took over the position in Windsor Heights, Iowa.

Durham graduated with a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 1991. Durham had aspirations of becoming a sportswriter, but said it would be “more fun to be making news than writing the news.”

Durham said he wants to make sure the county’s financial situation is at its best, develop relationships and put in place the county’s strategic vision. He said he wants to interact with officials to find out their goals. Durham believes his subordinates would describe him as “loyal.” He also said being out in the community is vital.

Durham said he must give about 60 days’ notice to Windsor Heights before departing, per his employment agreement.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.