Former Texas Congressman and current Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke will bring his campaign tour to southwest Iowa and Atlantic this weekend. O’Rourke is expected to arrive at Sunnyside Park’s Camblin Addition Shelter at 1:30-p.m. Sunday, May 5th, for a “Town Hall with Beto O’Rourke in Atlantic”. The event venue will be open at 1-p.m.

Former TX Congressman Beto O’Rourke

O’Rourke began his political career volunteering for several campaigns in Texas, before serving as a city councilman in his home town of El Paso, from 2005 to 2011. He then served three terms in the US House of Representatives until 2017, when he decided to run for the US Senate. He gained national attention during that election, when he set a record for most votes cast for a Democrat in Texas history.

O’Rourke is also a businessman and entrepreneur, having started his own internet services and software company, still run by his family in El Paso. His campaign has four main themes: immigration reform, health care, climate change, and fixing the political system.

O’Rourke and his wife Amy have three children, and reside in his home town of El Paso, TX.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports deputies responded at around 10:40-p.m. Friday, to a complaint of suspicious activity at a Page County Park known as Pierce Creek in the west camping area.  During an investigation, a 17-year old male juvenile was cited for Possession of Alcohol by persons under legal age (under 18 years old). The male was later released to his mother. 19-year old Gavin Allen Sickler, of Clarinda, was arrested and charged with Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of Alcohol by persons under legal age (18, 19, & 20 years old). Sickler was transported to the Page County Jail and later released on $1,300 bond, pending future court proceedings.

Authorities say two people were injured in a motorcycle vs. deer accident late Friday evening, about two-miles east of Harlan. The Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by 51-year old Chad Petersen of rural Harlan, was westbound on Highway 44 when Petersen pulled out to pass a vehicle that was also westbound. His cycle struck a deer in the eastbound lane. Both occupants of the motorcycle were ejected from the vehicle. Petersen was transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan for treatment of numerous serious injuries. His female passenger, 47-year old Jill Wensel, of Logan, was flown to an Omaha hospital by medical helicopter. The motorcycle was considered a total loss.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The governor has appointed judges to fill two openings on the Iowa Court of Appeals. A news release sent Monday from her office said Gov. Kim Reynolds selected Sharon Greer and Judge David May. Greer lives and practices law in Marshalltown and is a law college graduate from the University of Iowa. She replaces Christopher McDonald, whom the governor named to the Iowa Supreme Court earlier this year.

May, who lives in Polk City, received his law degree from Drake University. He’s a district court judge in District 5, which includes Polk County and Des Moines. He replaces Judge David Danilson, who retired.

One person was arrested following an investigation into an argument early this (Monday) morning, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say Roberto Daniel Gonzalez was arrested following a brief foot pursuit. Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of S. 1st Street at around 1:25-a.m., following a call about someone arguing. As they approached the scene, officers noticed a suspicious male and asked him about the disturbance. The suspect (Gonzalez) spoke with them briefly, before fleeing on foot.

As Officers pursued him, Gonzalez was allegedly reaching into his pocket. He was ordered numerous times to remove his hand from his pocket, but would not comply. Gonzalez was then tased by the officer and taken into custody without further incident. A bag he threw during the chase was recovered, and contained methamphetamine. Gonzalez was charged with Eluding, Possession of Meth with the intent to deliver, and interference with official acts.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to act on approving a joint agreement between Cass and Montgomery Counties, with regard to Cass Co. Engineer Charles Bechtold. Last week, the Board tabled action of Bechtold serving as the Interim Engineer in Montgomery County because he was out of town and not able to discuss the proposal. Bechtold would continue to serve as the full-time Cass County Engineer if the agreement is approved. He would only serve Montgomery County until they are able to hire a full-time person for the position.

In other business, the Board will act on approving the first amendment to the Child Support Staffing Contract (Child Support Recovery Office serving seven counties), incorporating the program budget for State Fiscal Year 2020. The Board meeting takes place 9-a.m. Tuesday (April 30), in the Supervisor’s Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.