Des Moines daily brief: North High fire, break-in shooting, and help clearing warrants

Top headlines

North High dismissed early after bathroom fire. Des Moines North High School evacuated Monday afternoon after a fire in a boys’ bathroom. Officials said everyone got out safely, but classes were called off for the rest of the day. Fire investigators believe toilet paper may have been used to start the blaze, and police said the case is being investigated as arson.

Homeowner shoots alleged intruder during late-night break-in. Police say a woman forced her way into a home on Guthrie Avenue late Sunday night and was shot by the homeowner during the incident. The woman was treated for minor injuries and released, then charged with second-degree burglary. No charges were announced against the homeowner as of the latest update.

Polk County sets first free clinic to resolve low-level warrants. County court leaders announced an April 3 warrant resolution clinic at Polk County River Place on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines. The goal is to help people clear or reschedule low-level, nonviolent warrants (including traffic offenses and failure-to-appear cases), with judges, prosecutors, and court staff on-site. Organizers said there are about 8,200 outstanding warrants in this category, and free childcare is planned during the event.

Metro development watch

Valley West area redevelopment moves forward in West Des Moines. City leaders are starting work on a long-term plan to remake the Valley West area into a denser, more walkable district, beginning with a smaller block-level focus while broader plans are finalized. A proposed new gas station project is being discussed as an early piece of the redevelopment puzzle, while the larger mall-site negotiations continue.

Community notes

Botanical Blues returns on Sundays. Live blues performances are filling the Botanical Garden dome on Sunday afternoons through March, offering an easy indoor outing as the month gets rolling.

Outdoor and wildlife public meeting in Des Moines tonight. A state wildlife meeting in Des Moines is scheduled for this evening to review recent hunting and trapping seasons and gather public input on potential rule changes.

Sources

https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-high-school-dismisses-early-after-fire/70578954
https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-union-park-home-intruder-shot/70562850
https://www.kcci.com/article/polk-county-offers-free-clinic-to-resolve-low-level-warrants/70578782
https://www.kcci.com/article/blues-music-fills-des-moines-botanical-garden/70564829
https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/02/west-des-moines-valley-west-mall-redevelopment-tif
https://www.iowadnr.gov/news-release/2026-02-28/dnr-public-meetings-recap-hunting-trapping-seasons-discuss-possible-rule-changes-begin-march-2