Colfax

• A last minute decision to line downtown Colfax with pumpkins, vendors and a cornhole tournament during the Fall 4 Colfax festival on Oct. 7 turned out to be an unexpected success as more than 150 attendees filled the streets. The event was a community effort with the pumpkins donated by the Colfax-Mingo Community School District, six locals entered the Chili Contest and two local face-painters stepped up to decorate the children. Fall 4 Colfax began with a pancake breakfast and culminated with the ever-popular pie eating contest. — Jasper County Tribune

Des Moines

• On Sept. 15, Drake President Marty Martin sent an email to campus to reaffirm the university’s commitment to DACA recipients. Drake’s decision to become a sanctuary campus last year has prompted some donors to say they won’t be giving to the school in the future. Smith said some donors are concerned Drake will be violating the law by protecting DACA recipients on campus. Others don’t believe it’s Drake’s place to provide services to undocumented students. — The Times-Delphic

La Porte City/Vinton

• In recognition of the local first responders who run toward trouble, not away from it, Tootsie’s Ice Cream & More, 401 Commercial St., La Porte City, and 210 N. K Ave., Vinton, will donate 10 percent of their sales the weekends of Oct. 13-15, Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29 to area police and fire/rescue departments. It’s Tootsie’s way of thanking all of the men and women who give of their time to make the communities of La Porte City and Vinton great places to live and work. — The Progress Review

West Liberty

• The West Liberty football team stunned top-ranked and previously unbeaten 2A Williamsburg on Oct. 6 with a 14-9 win over the Raiders. The win puts the Comets in second place in Class 2A District 5, tied with the Raiders. The Comets success came on two big plays with 80-plus yard touchdown runs. — West Liberty Index