DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — West Des Moines Democrat Mike Sherzan is announcing his candidacy for U.S. House in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. The 61-year-old financial services broker’s announcement in a Monday press statement makes him the first 2014 candidate for the district, which includes Polk County and all of southwest Iowa. Ten-term Republican Rep. Tom Latham of Clive was elected in November to the seat. Latham is considering a bid for U.S. Senate. A Latham Senate campaign would likely prompt other Democrats to consider running for his House seat.

Sen. Tom Harkin’s decision to retire at the end of 2014 has already prompted 1st District Rep. Bruce Braley to give up his U.S. House seat to seek higher office. Braley, a four-term Democrat from Waterloo, announced his candidacy for Harkin’s Senate seat on Thursday.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

A northwest Iowa man facing felony charges in connection with the assault of an Atlantic man in September 2012 has pleaded guilty to charges, and WILL NOT stand trial Tuesday as previously announced. Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner announced Monday afternoon, 38-year old Timothy Leigh Russell, of Cherokee entered a voluntary guilty plea and was sentenced to prison. Additional details will be released later this afternoon.

Russell was set to stand trial on felony charges of Attempted Murder, Willful Injury causing bodily injury, Going Armed with Intent and Willful Injury causing serious injury, for an altercation which occurred during the early morning hours of  September 3rd 2012 Atlantic, during which the victim of the attack was stabbed with a shop tool, which was reportedly a screwdriver. The victim was never identified. They were initially taken to the Cass County Memorial Hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Omaha for surgery.

Russell remains in the Cass County Jail on $100,000 cash bond.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office report 14 teenagers were arrested over the weekend, and cited for being a Minor In Possession of alcohol, after a carload of juveniles yelled to another a Police Officer about where the beer party was being held. When a Sheriff’s Deputy went to the home of Chris and Joni Larsen, at 2020 900th Street in Shelby County, he failed to get an answer at the door. The deputy walked around the side of the home and saw several individuals allegedly playing a game of “beer pong.” The homeowners were out of town, but after authorities contacted them, permission was granted for deputies to enter the home at around 11:20-p.m.

Among those cited for the offense was: 18 year old Lauren Larsen, 18 year old Ethan Williams, 18 year old Austin Hess, 17 year old Rachel Pauley, 16 year old Derek Leinen, 17 year old Anna Buman, 17 year old Elijah Williams, and 17 year old Jena Rasmussen, all of Harlan; 18 year old David Ratigan of Panama; 18 year old Bradley Freund of Earling; 18 year old Nathan Kloewer of Defiance; 17 year old Brooke Schulte of Portsmouth; 17 year old Steve Gross of Earling, and 17 year old Samuel Rivera of Defiance.

Three other persons attending the party were not charged.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the recent theft of a flat screen tv from a residence in Coin. The resident at 10 Main Street in Coin reported to authorities someone entered her home and   cut a paddle lock on her bedroom door, before stealing a new, in-the-box, 32-inch Emerson flat screen tv. The theft occurred sometime between the hours of 10-a.m. and 3-p.m., Saturday.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft which occurred at a Red Oak car dealership. Authorities say sometime prior to Saturday, Feb. 9th, someone took a tailgate from a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup parked on the lot at Hawkeye Ford in Red Oak. The tailgate, which was white in color and had a backup camera installed in it, is valued at $4,000. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials report also, the arrest of a Villisca man on drug charges. 25-year old Jessie Bruce Fitzwater faces a felony Delivery of Marijuana charge. Fitzwater was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says a Manning woman wanted on an outstanding warrant was arrested this (Monday) morning, after she turned herself-in to authorities. 19-year old Makayla Elizabeth Irlbeck faces OWI, Eluding, Reckless Driving and Possession of Alcohol/2nd offense charges, which stemmed from an investigation into an accident that occurred on December 22nd.

Irlbeck appeared before the magistrate and was released. Her preliminary hearing was set for February 28th. Officials say the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County said today (Monday), one person was injured during a single-vehicle accident early Friday morning about two-miles east of Audubon. 19-year-old Aaron James Eddy, of Audubon, was transported to the Audubon County Hospital by Audubon Rescue, after the pickup he was driving left the road and entered the south ditch near the intersection of 200th Street and Lark Avenue . The 1998 Chevy hit an embankment and crossed over the road before coming to rest in the southeast ditch. The accident, which happened as Eddy was traveling east on 200th Street at around 5:45-a.m., remains under investigation, and charges are pending.  Damage to the pickup was estimated at $2,000.

Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall is better equipped to more efficiently handle and administer her office, thanks the Iowa State County Treasurers Association’s  “Certified Treasurers Program.”   A committee of Iowa County Treasurers, with the assistance of personnel from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office, developed the Program, which requires the completion of 30-credit hours of instruction, 18 of which must be in the areas of human resources, the Code of Iowa, investments, budgets, leadership and communication skills.

The Association held its first graduation ceremony Thursday, November 29, 2012, in conjunction with the fall Iowa State Association of Counties meeting in Des Moines.  Thirty-four treasurers were awarded the Iowa Certified County Treasurer status. Marshall was among those who received a pin and certificate in recognition of their graduation.

Those Treasurers who are now certified must complete continuing education classes to retain their certification.  Completion of the program is a testimony to the individual Iowa County Treasurer’s dedication to providing excellence in public service. 

Authorities in Taylor County said Monday that a Lenox man has died from injuries he suffered after a gas can exploded while he was burning debris.

According to the Lenox Police Department, 75-year old James M. Wurster died at the Burn Treatment Center at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, early Saturday morning.  Wurster had been burning debris at around 11:20-a.m. Friday, when fumes from a nearby five-gallon gas can ignited, causing the can to explode, showering Wurster with flaming gasoline.

The man was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Corning before being flown to Iowa City where he died at around 3-a.m., Saturday.