In Today’s All About Ames Issue…

📰 Retired Iowa Public Radio Journalist Rob Dillard Passes at 73

🏅Cyclones Sign Four for 2025 Volleyball Class

⭐Traction Stories - Saltech Systems

👮‍♂️ Ames Police Department

🗓️ Calendar of Events

🏡 Real Estate Update

🐕 Dog of the Day

⚡️Spark for the Day

North Riverside Drive Closure for Pavement Replacement

Starting Monday, Nov. 18, North Riverside Drive will close between Lincoln Way and North Second Street for pavement removal and replacement, expected to last two weeks, weather permitting. Sidewalk access on the east side will remain open.

The City of Ames contracted Con-Struct to reconstruct North Riverside Drive, which includes manhole, curb, gutter, and driveway updates, along with ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.

Ames 11-Year-Old Irene Fei Rises as One of Iowa’s Top Chess Players

Irene Fei, an 11-year-old from Ames, Iowa, is not only a top chess player in the state but also the youngest female FIDE Master in the Americas. Recently, Irene won gold in the under-13 girls section at the FIDE Pan-American School Chess Championship in Paraguay, her third international championship. Ranked as Iowa's No. 1 female chess player, Irene has traveled across the Americas to compete. Her strategic patience and competitive spirit have made her a formidable player, often facing opponents much older than herself. Supported by her family, Irene balances chess with school and even teaches her younger brother the game. She plans to continue competing until high school, when she may shift her focus to athletics.

Iowa State University Ranks #1 in Iowa, #14 Nationally in Entrepreneurship

Iowa State University has been ranked #1 in Iowa, #6 in the Midwest, and #14 nationally for undergraduate entrepreneurship in The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings. This recognition reflects ISU’s commitment to hands-on, innovative programs like the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and the CYstarters accelerator, which support student-led ventures such as "Frozen Gains," a startup launched by students Zane Lenz and Grant Veenstra.

The university offers a major and minor in entrepreneurship, access to the Start Something Network, and a state-of-the-art Student Innovation Center for designing and testing new ideas. Programs like CyBIZ Lab and CYstarters provide mentorship, funding, and experiential learning, helping students gain practical skills in business and innovation.

Linking Genetics, Traits, and Environment for Better Crop Breeding

Iowa State University’s agronomy professor Jianming Yu is advancing crop resilience by exploring how environmental factors and genetic makeup affect crop traits—a concept known as phenotypic plasticity. Yu’s team developed a framework that combines genetic, trait, and weather data to help breeders predict crop performance under varied conditions. By analyzing over 20 million genetic markers, the study aims to enhance breeding efforts, particularly for corn, to improve yield and adaptability to climate challenges. The research, available on MaizeGDB, sets a foundation for broader applications in crop breeding.

Retired Iowa Public Radio Journalist Rob Dillard Passes at 73

Rob Dillard, a respected Iowa Public Radio (IPR) journalist, passed away this week at age 73 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Dillard's 20-year career at IPR included hosting "Morning Edition" and covering diversity, religion, veterans, and disability issues. He is best remembered for creating the acclaimed series “Being in Iowa,” which he considered his proudest achievement. Known for his curiosity and passion for storytelling, Dillard's career journey began as a mime before transitioning to journalism. He left an indelible mark on public radio, capturing the lives and stories of Iowans.

Barb Gauger (1950 - 2024)

No. 11 Iowa State Faces Navy for Military Appreciation Night

No. 11 Iowa State (0-1) will host Navy (1-2) in Hilton Coliseum this Friday at 7 p.m. for Military Appreciation Night. The Cyclones aim to recover from last week’s narrow season-opening loss to No. 20 Stanford. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+ as the Cyclones look to secure their first win of the season.

Iowa State Runners Prepare for NCAA Midwest Regional

Iowa State cross country heads to the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday, where the Cyclone men, ranked No. 2 in the region, and the women, ranked No. 4, will compete for spots at the NCAA Championships. The men’s 10K begins at noon, while the women’s 6K starts at 11 a.m. in Peoria, Illinois.

The Cyclone men are coming off a strong third-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, led by Robin Kwemoi Bera’s fourth-place finish and All-Big 12 honors for four runners. The women’s team, led by Maelle Porcher, aims to qualify after placing seventh at the conference meet.

Successful teams will advance to the NCAA Championships set for November 23 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Swiderski to Redshirt 2024-25 Season Due to Injury

Iowa State's All-American wrestler Casey Swiderski will sit out the 2024-25 season following a knee injury sustained in practice this week, head coach Kevin Dresser announced. Swiderski, who placed seventh at the NCAA Championships last season, will use his redshirt year while he recovers from upcoming knee surgery, with plans to return in the spring to complete his final two years of eligibility.

Cyclones Fall in Four Sets Against Colorado

Iowa State (9-13, 3-8 Big 12) fell to Colorado in four sets Wednesday evening, with scores of 19-25, 20-25, 25-17, and 21-25. Key Cyclone contributors included Faith DeRonde with 15 kills and Lilly Wachholz with 13. Middle blockers Amiree Hendricks-Walker and Tierney Jackson combined for 17 kills and six blocks, while Brooke Stonestreet tallied 12 digs to move up to eighth on Iowa State’s career leaderboard with 1,386 digs.

In set three, the Cyclones rallied with a strong 25-17 win, but Colorado ultimately held control to claim the match. Iowa State next travels to face Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 16, before continuing its road stretch with matches against Arizona and Arizona State.

Iowa State Wrestling Secures Four New Signees for 2025

Iowa State wrestling, under head coach Kevin Dresser, announced the addition of four new wrestlers to the program: Christian Castillo, Carter Pearson, Jacob Helgeson, and TJ Koester. This talented signing class, ranked No. 15 nationally by FloWrestling, includes top recruits who bring accolades such as state championships, national titles, and international experience. All four athletes, who are currently high school seniors in Iowa, are expected to start their collegiate wrestling careers with the Cyclones in the 2025-26 season.

Coach Dresser expressed excitement about the skill and competition these new wrestlers will add to the program, describing this as "one of the most talented" classes he has signed at ISU.

Explore the stories that shape Ames—from local businesses to historic landmarks and everyday people making an impact. "Traction Stories" highlights what makes our town unique, celebrating its past and present.

Saltech Systems: Traction Entrepreneur

Founded in 2003 by Salman and Madiha Maqsood in Ames, Iowa, Saltech Systems has grown from a small startup into a thriving full-service technology agency with 25 employees. The company specializes in custom web design, SEO, digital marketing, managed IT services, and cybersecurity solutions. Known for prioritizing client relationships, Saltech views each customer as a partner, delivering tailored solutions that enhance online presence and secure digital operations. With a new satellite office in Dallas, Texas, Saltech aims to expand its reach while maintaining its commitment to exceptional customer service and innovative technology solutions.

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Ames Police Department - Arrests between 11/10/2024 06:05AM and 11/14/2024 06:05AM

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Ames, IA Recently Sold Properties

2200 Hamilton Dr #503, Ames, IA 50014. 1 Bed, 1 Bath. $58,500. Last Sold: November 14, 2024.

4007 Frances E Davis Ct, Ames, IA 50010 (Top-O-Hollow). 5 Beds, 4 Baths. $470,000. Last Sold: November 13, 2024.

1309 Glendale Ave, Ames, IA 50010. 4 Beds, 2 Baths. $200,000. Last Sold: November 12, 2024.

Ames, IA Available Properties For Sale

2012 Polk Dr Ames, IA 50010 (5 Beds, 4 Baths); $440,000

2216 Suncrest Dr Ames, IA 50014 (3 Beds, 3 Baths); $719,950

1217 Scott Ave Ames, IA 50014 (2 Beds, 1 Bath); $175,000

Please give it up for Rocky, today's Dog of the Day! Rocky is a spirited 3-year-old Beagle who loves exploring new scents on his daily walks. His favorite activities include playing tug-of-war, digging for hidden treasures in the yard, and snuggling up on the couch after a long day of adventures. Rocky's curious nature and boundless energy make him a joy.

If you have a canine companion who deserves a spotlight, don't hesitate to contact us at allaboutames.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Today’s Affirmation

"Today, I celebrate my achievements and embrace the possibilities ahead. I am strong, fearless, and ready to enjoy the fruits of my labor."

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The Answer to the Trivia Corner Question 👇👇👇

The Ames Auto Garage was built in 1913 and represents the evolution of Main Street with changing technology.