Des Moines Daily: Hit-and-run charges, Southwest Ninth safety plans, and a cooler turn

Des Moines is heading into March with a mix of public safety news, a big conversation about street design, and a quick flip back to colder air after the recent taste of spring.

Public safety: Des Moines man charged in fatal hit-and-run after chase

Police say a Des Moines man is now facing charges tied to a deadly December hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian near 31st Street and University Avenue. Investigators say the vehicle was identified through video and license plate reader data, and the driver was later taken into custody after a separate high-speed pursuit. The case adds to a growing local focus on traffic safety and accountability on major corridors.

Street safety: Roundabouts and a continuous sidewalk proposed for Southwest Ninth

City leaders are advancing early steps toward a long-discussed overhaul of Southwest Ninth Street, including two proposed roundabouts and a more direct, accessible sidewalk connection across the Raccoon River. The corridor is a key south-side route and has a history of serious crashes. A separate bridge rehabilitation project is moving forward with state partnership funding, with construction currently projected for fall 2027. Advocates also continue pushing for broader safety measures along the corridor.

Weather: Cooler weekend, light snow mostly stays away

Forecasters say colder air has settled back in for the weekend, with snow chances expected to largely miss the metro or stay north of the city. The bigger story is the swing: temperatures dropped back toward the 20s and 30s after late-week warmth. Early outlooks point to a gradual warm-up next week, with precipitation chances shifting more toward rain as temperatures rebound.

Worth your time

Downtown venues are rolling through a busy stretch of performances and hands-on events in the Feb. 27 through March 5 window, including arts programming and a science-focused festival for kids. If you’re planning an outing, it’s a good week to check schedules early, since some events are limited-run or single-day.

Sources

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/28/des-moines-man-charged-fatal-december-hit-and-run-following-police-chase/
https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/27/roundabouts-des-moines-southwest-ninth-street
https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-weather-cooler-today-with-snow-staying-north/70545463
https://www.dsmpartnership.com/downtowndsmusa/news-blog/blog/whats-happening-in-downtown-dsm-this-week-feb-27-march-5