Top 9 of Iowa: Golden Girl's Fiery Performance, NCAA Final Four Invites, Nuclear Support Derails Branstad Nominee?

Why nine? Because the Patch community includes nine sites in Iowa: Ames, Ankeny, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Johnston, Marion, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines.

9. In Iowa City, former University of Iowa Golden Girl Chelsea Russell entertained students at a City High School Pep Rally with a little pyrotechnics in the form of some flaming batons that she ably, and safely, used to dazzle the crowd.

8. Iowa Senate Democrats could snub Gov. Terry Branstad's nomination of Marion Republican Nick Wagner to the Iowa Utilities Board due to his support for nuclear energy and geographical diversity.

7. The Ankeny school board learned that construction on Ankeny Centennial High School is substantially complete two months ahead of schedule, and voted to finalize the contract on the new school.

6. Cedar Falls Superintendent Mike Wells is in line to be hired as the superintendent of Mount Pleasant Community Schools. Mystery still surrounds the falling out between Wells and the Cedar Falls school district after less than one year on the job.

5. In Ames, Iowa State headed to the Final Four after all. Men's basketball seniors Will Clyburn and Tyrus McGee were invited to participate. Clyburn was in the 2013 Reese's College All-Star Game on Friday, and McGee was in the 2013 State Farm College 3-Point Championship on Thursday. Fred Hoiberg also coached in the National Association of Basketball Coaches game.

4. and small business owner, will be honored next month by the Chamber of Commerce as the 68th recipient of the West Des Moines 2013 Citizen of the Year Award.

3. A Johnston woman lost a six-week battle to recover from injuries suffered in a February car crash with a semi-trailer in Urbandale. in Lincoln, NE.

2. A family business in Urbandale is closing its doors because sales have fallen off as customers turn to the Internet for resources instead of shopping in bricks-and-mortar stores. Wellspring Christian Resources will lock the door on the book and gift store, ending 70 years of business.

1. Waukee saw the departure of two local officials. City Council member Dan Dutcher resigned for personal reasons, while library director Erik Surber was fired with little explanation. Surber said he and the library board had different visions for the library and that he resigned. The board said he was fired the day before he submitted his resignation.

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