A 27-year-old Boone native has quit his job at the Pentagon to run for the Iowa congressional seat Republican Steve King now holds. Democrat Jim Mowrer is formally kicking off his campaign this morning (Tuesday). Mowrer served in the Iowa National Guard unit that spent 23 months in Iraq — the longest Iraq deployment for any unit in the military. In 2009 he returned to Iraq as a private contractor. In 2010 Mowrer went to work at the Penaton as a special assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army.

Mowrer says too many politicians in Washington from both parties are “pushing sound bytes to…score political points for partisan gain.” He accuses King of being part of the problem. “Steve King isn’t working for Iowans. He’s not working for the 4th district and I have a record of actually getting things done,” Mowrer says. “I think that a lot of politicians spend time talking about problems, but not actually working on finding a way to find solutions and getting them done.” 

Mowrer’s last day at the Pentagon was June 10th. He has moved back to Boone with his wife — who is a Boone native, too — and their two young children. If elected, Mowrer would be among the youngest members of congress. To be eligible to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, a candidate must be at least 25 years old and a resident of the state they wish to represent.

(Radio Iowa)

Three Council Bluffs residents accused in the kidnapping and abuse of a special needs man living in their home, will be allowed to post bond prior to their trial. The Daily NonPareil reports 4^th District Court Judge Mark Eveloff on Monday decided to allow 55-year old Rebecca S. Beyer, 51-year old James W. Beyer, Jr., the step-mother and father of the alleged 20-year old victim, to post 10 percent of the bond, but Eveloff did not reduce the amount of their $100,000 bonds, as had been requested by attorneys for the accused. If they do post bond, the suspects will be placed on a pre-trial, supervised release. The judge also issued a No Contact order.

Rebecca Beyer was arrested June 19th on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury causing serious injury. James Beyer, Jr. and his stepson, 22-year old Ryan M. Smith, were both arrested on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping. Attorneys for the Beyer’s said a family member would be able to post 10-percent of their $100,000 bonds. Smith’s attorney said he would likely receive the same option.

The charges against the trio were filed following an investigation into allegations the 20-year-old made in March, while speaking with workers at a Council Bluffs men’s shelter. The unidentified man told authorities that Rebecca Beyer allegedly heated spoons and forks on the stove and burned him with them. He also said he had been physically assaulted by his father, James Beyer, and that both his parents had threatened to kill him. The abuse had allegedly been going on for years.

Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney Amy Zacharias said none of the facts in the case have changed since the arrests were made on June 19th, except that DNA evidence was found on a leash the 20-year-old said was used to chain him up in the garage. Conversely, an attorney for the accused said testing on three other items – an iron said to have been used to burn the victim, a spoon and an extension cord – did not show any evidence of the victim’s DNA being on those items.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say a Council Bluffs man was arrested Sunday evening on an assault charge. 76-year old Randers Benedict Strand, Jr., was arrested at around 6:45-p.m. His bond was set at $300. And, 21-year old Joshua Scott Roop, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested Friday morning at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for OWI/1st Offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

An educational event scheduled to take place Thursday, July 18th, will teach parents, community volunteers, teachers and anyone who works with children, how to protect them, and those persons who care or educate children. The “Safe Community” program will be held from 5:30-until 7-p.m. at Iowa Western Community College (705 Walnut St.), in Atlantic.

The program is being provided by the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council. To pre-register, or for more information, call 712-243-8006, extension 3375.

An educational workshop taking place over the course of six-weeks beginning next Monday, July 8^th in Red Oak, is being offered to provide caregivers with tools necessary to take care of yourself, so you are better prepared to take good care of your loved one. Participants in the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will learn how to: reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate your feelings, balance your life, increase ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. The six-week course was offered in Atlantic this past winter. Participants who missed their chance to attend at that time may be interested in attending an upcoming training being held in this area. 

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach is sponsoring Powerful Tools for Caregivers in Red Oak this July-August. Classes consist of six, 2-½ hour sessions held once a week. Two trained leaders, Charlotte (Kay) Myers, and Sandra McKinnon, extension family life specialist, conduct each class. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. 

Sessions are scheduled every Monday for six weeks beginning on July 8. Classes will be held at the Montgomery County Extension Office in Red Oak from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  There is a $30.00 fee for the program. Participants receive a Caregiver Helpbook (a $30 value). To register, contact the Montgomery County Extension Office at 712-623-2592. More information is available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery. 

The Cass County Extension office is also looking for local individuals interested in being trained to deliver this program regularly in the CassCounty and surrounding areas. A trainer stipend and expense reimbursement is available. For more information, please call 712-243-1132 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.