Des Moines Daily: River recovery, traffic disruptions, and a neighborhood project
Des Moines, IA – February 27, 2026 – Police investigated a body recovered from the Des Moines River as crashes and a moped chase snarled traffic.
Top local headlines
- Body recovered from the Des Moines River; police say no foul play is suspected.
- Crash temporarily shut down part of East University Avenue and affected the I-235 exit.
- Moped pursuit ended in a crash near 31st and Dean; two people were taken into custody.
- Waveland Golf Course lighting plan heads to a public open house.
- Weekend charity hockey event pits metro firefighters vs. police and includes a Buccaneers ticket.
Public safety and traffic
Des Moines police investigated after a man’s body was recovered Friday from the Des Moines River near the Harriet Street boat ramp. The man had not been identified as of Friday afternoon, and the medical examiner was expected to conduct an autopsy. Police said they did not suspect foul play.
Drivers also dealt with a Friday-afternoon slowdown on the east side, where a crash prompted a temporary closure of westbound East University Avenue at East 25th Street. Police also shut down the I-235 eastbound exit to East University while crews handled the scene, with lanes expected to reopen later in the afternoon.
Chase ends with arrests
On Thursday, a police chase involving a moped ended with a collision near 31st Street and Dean Avenue. Police said two people were taken into custody after the crash. Authorities did not immediately say why officers were trying to stop the moped.
Neighborhood and weekend notes
Des Moines Parks and Recreation is moving forward with a proposal to add lights to nine holes at Waveland Golf Course. City staff and project partners scheduled a public open house for Thursday evening at the clubhouse on University Avenue to walk neighbors through the plan and answer questions about the $1.5 million project.
In the metro’s weekend calendar, the annual Guns n’ Hoses hockey game is set for Saturday afternoon at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, raising funds for charity. Tickets include admission to the Des Moines Buccaneers’ Saturday-night game.
And with windy, dry conditions raising fire concerns in parts of Iowa, officials urged residents to avoid outdoor burning and take extra care with anything that could spark a grass fire.
Sources
- https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/27/body-recovered-des-moines-river-police-investigating/
- https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-traffic-east-university-closed-crash/70541619
- https://www.kcci.com/article/two-arrested-after-moped-chase-ends-in-crash-in-des-moines/70524256
- https://www.kcci.com/article/golfing-in-the-dark-public-open-house-for-lighting-project-at-waveland-golf-course/70504551
- https://whoradio.iheart.com/alternate/amp/2026-02-24-annual-guns-n-hoses-game-to-raise-funds-for-charity-saturday/
- https://ca.news.yahoo.com/red-flag-warnings-southern-northwest-181014053.html
