Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Senate candidate David Young says his Christian faith is so strong that, if elected, he would try to introduce New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer to Jesus Christ. But a spokeswoman for the Iowa Republican and former aide to Senator Charles Grassley says Young’s intent would not be to convert Mr. Schumer, who is Jewish, but to promote understanding with a Senate colleague.

GRANGER, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa woman has been accused of stealing items from a man’s house and setting several fires. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says Marcia Schaffer of Granger, was arrested Monday in connection with a June 2nd home invasion and arson.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in Iowa City say a 54-year-old man has died in the Iowa River. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says police and other emergency workers responded yesterday morning to a report of a man falling into the river under the Highway 6 bridge. A short time later, they recovered the body of Perry Graham.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cuban baseball player Misael Siverio tells a Spanish-language newspaper he has defected to the United States. Siverio was part of the Cuban national team that traveled to Iowa for an exhibition game this week against a collegiate all-star team from the U.S. But the pitcher tells El Nuevo Herald in Miami he made the decision to leave his country “for my future and my family.”

EARLY, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa man convicted of killing his mother and kidnapping another woman wants a retrial. The Sioux City Journal reports a public defender for 21-year-old Kirk Levin, of Early, filed a motion for a new trial in Sac County District Court on Tuesday. A jury found Levin guilty in June of first-degree murder in the January death of Marilynn Schmitt and third-degree kidnapping in the abduction of a woman he met online.

Levin’s trial was moved to Webster County because of heavy publicity. His attorney says a second change of venue request should have been granted. The attorney also says Levin’s statements to police after his arrest should have been inadmissible evidence at trial.

Levin is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26.

Officials in Cass County seek to balance the various County boards and commissions, by having them comprised of men and woman. To that end, gender balance on county and city boards and commissions took effect January 1, 2012. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman says “To facilitate gender balancing of Cass County’s boards and commissions, the Cass County Board of Supervisors is taking applications for positions that are currently open [or which will be open within the next year].”

Current positions open are two members for the Cass County Compensation Board. The Supervisors’ previous two appointees were males. Gender balancing would require the appointment of one male and one female to the now vacant positions. Anyone interested in serving in one of those positions (or any of the positions on the County’s website) may get an application at the Cass County Auditor’s office.

Applications and the list of positions open within the next year are available online at the Cass County, Iowa website, casscountyiowa.us/offices/bos/bosforms.htm

The Harlan Police Department reports numerous individuals were arrested this past week. On July 14th, Randy Rush, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of driving while revoked and speeding. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop. That same day, Frankie Jo Garren, of Gypsum, CO, was arrested on a charge of public intoxication. Earlier in the evening, Garren was given a ride to the Shelby County Fairgrounds by police officers. At the time of her arrest at 7th and Court Streets, she was observed running, partially clothed.

On July 12th, 32-year old Ian Leib, of Harlan was arrested after officers were called to an altercation in the 1700 block of 8th Street. Leib was transported to the Shelby County Jail, where he was charged with Assault displaying a dangerous weapon, for allegedly hitting Sandra Meis, of Kimballton. The incident involved a steel handled broom. That same day, 23-year old Daniel Cagle, of Purvis, MS, was arrested following an altercation with 21-year old Logan Ford, of Hattiesburg, MS, in the 600 block of Market Street.

Cagle was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Ford was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, for treatment of injuries he suffered during the incident. Complaints were subsequently filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, charging Ford with public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

And, on July 9th, 26-year old Linda Hemminger, of Harlan, was arrested on a charge of domestic abuse assault, after an incident was investigated at a residence in Harlan, whereby she allegedly assaulted Reid Hemminger, also of Harlan.

(12-p.m. News)