DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – After years of stability, Iowa’s congressional delegation will soon have some new faces – and the candidates running for the state’s two open seats all say they can bring some homespun pragmatism to Washington.

Democrat Staci Appel, a former state lawmaker, and Republican David Young, a former aide to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, are both making that argument in the 3rd district, where longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Latham is retiring. Appel says she supports boosting the minimum wage and other efforts to help working families and argues Young lacks perspective due to his long career in Washington. Young says his experience means he can effectively work across the aisle.

The 1st district also will have a new representative because incumbent Rep. Bruce Braley is running for U.S. Senate.

A man from Union County was arrested on an assault charge, Thursday evening. According to the Creston Police Dept., 27-year old Lee Anthony Brown, of Creston, was arrested at his home on a charge of Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. Brown was being held in the Union County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.

The Creston P-D said also, the manager of the Casey’s north store on west Townline Road, reported a man entered the business between a little after 10-a.m. Thursday and stole a 20-ounce bottle of pop. The loss was estimated at $1.86.

The Iowa Public Information Board has been asked to review action conducted during a closed session of the City Council in Pacific Junction. The Daily NonPareil reports Councilman Earl Smith filed a complaint with the board alleging that the Pacific Junction City Council had violated the state’s opening meetings law by voting during closed session to acquire a $50,000 loan in November 2013. However, last month, Smith said the action never happened, according to a letter sent to the board.

Margaret Johnson, the deputy director of the IPIB, said Thursday that Smith essential withdrew some of the complaints he made against the council. Smith also sent his complaint to the Iowa State Auditor’s Office. In his letter, Smith said a loan for $40,000 – not $50,000 – was voted on and approved by the City Council at the beginning of the meeting. He continued that a closed session was held to discuss an “obligation debt” for federal, Social Security and Medicare back taxes in the amount of $50,000.

Smith said in his letter that Pacific Junction Mayor Andy Young told council members that the city clerk had already arranged payments with the Internal Revenue Service to pay back the debt, and “there is nothing to worry about.” Smith said there was confusion among the council’s decision because, according to a recording of the meeting, it was announced the city clerk made arrangements before knowing the amount owed to the IRS and before the plan could be approved by the City Council.

Johnson said it is likely the IPIB will hear Smith’s complaint during its October meeting – even though it falls outside the 60-day filing deadline called for in the Iowa code. Johnson said, in the future, it would benefit the City Council to make more concise agendas and take better notes during meetings.

An attempted traffic stop early this (Friday) morning in Red Oak resulted in a pursuit, crash and arrest. The Red Oak P-D reports officers attempted to stop a motorcycle driven by 25-year old Kyle Wayne Pack, of Red Oak, at around 1-a.m., for failure to obey a stop sign. Pack sped off on his 2003 Suzuki SV-650, and during a police pursuit, crashed the cycle into a house in the 600 block of east Joy Street.

Pack was arrested and charged with Felony Eluding, OWI/1st offense, Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Provide proof of insurance. He was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $5,000 cash bond.

Damage to the motorcycle amounted to $2,000. No other vehicles or property were damaged during the incident.