(Radio Iowa) — Staff for three U.S. Senators running for president scrambled to arrange campaign events around the state this weekend during a brief break in the senate’s impeachment trial. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told a crowd in Sioux City last (Sunday) night he had planned to spend this week campaigning here. “I can’t do that now because I’ve got a constitutional responsibility,” Sanders said, “and unlike the president of the United States, I actually believe in the constitution.” Sanders says he has “zero idea” what the impeachment trial’s schedule may be this week — or how long it may go in February. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren had to cancel an event in Burlington because of the impeachment trial’s Saturday morning session, but added one in Davenport Saturday night.

Warren spent the weekend traveling through eastern Iowa and met with a group of volunteer leaders in Cedar Rapids before flying back to Washington. “I’m there for the trial and I will be there for the trial, but it’s very hard not to be here in Iowa” Warren told Radio Iowa. “I’m very grateful that so many people have volunteered, have engaged, have said: ‘We know you’re in Washington, so we’ll get out there.'” Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is boarding a 6 a.m. flight to D.C. this (Monday) morning. “It is with some bitter sweet sentiments ’cause I know I’m going back to do good,” Klobuchar said, “but I would love to be here.” Klobuchar says she had intended to make another 99-county tour this month, after completing one at the end of December.

Klobuchar suggests there’s now more pressure on Republican senators to call former National Security director John Bolton as a witness in the impeachment trial. On Sunday night, The New York Times reported Bolton’s book draft alleges President Trump wanted to freeze aid to Ukraine until the country investigated Joe Biden and other Democrats. “With Mr. Bolton saying that exactly what we said happened — happened, for them to deny him testifying would be wrong,” Klobuchar says, “so that’s what I’m going back to work on.” Former Vice President Joe Biden told an audience in Ankeny he expects to be a focus of Trump’s impeachment defense, but Biden suggests it will not be an issue for Iowa Caucus-goers as they make their decision NEXT Monday night.

“I’m not sure it will because so far it hasn’t,” Biden told Radio Iowa this weekend. “I mean, they’ve beaten the living hell out of me and my numbers have gone up, not down.” Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg appeared at a town hall hosted by Fox News last (Sunday) night and the first audience question was whether Trump should be removed from office. “If he’s not, it’s going to send a message that this Senate, or at least Senate Republicans today think that it’s okay to cheat, it’s okay to involve a foreign government or pressure a foreign government to get involved in American elections,” Buttigieg said. Buttigieg said the American people will have the last word, at the ballot box.

A man wanted in connection with the alleged assault of a woman in Villisca Sunday, was arrested following a brief foot pursuit. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year old Alan Joe Turpen, of Villisca, had left the residence where the incident allegedly occurred, and was apprehended a short time later a short distance away from the scene, following the foot chase. Turpen was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, Interference with Official Acts and Public Intoxication. He was being held in the jail without bond.

Alan Turpen

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on Burglary and other charges Sunday afternoon, after a home owner in Corning reported some one broke into their residence and took some guns. The home was also vandalized and the owner’s truck taken for a joy ride before it was returned. An investigation resulted in the arrest of 26-year old Brandon Joseph Stone, and 21-year old Noah James Wardlow, of Corning. They face charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Trafficking Stolen Weapons, Vandalism, and Operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Their bonds were set at $10,000 each.

Brandon Joseph Stone (left) & Noah James Wardlow (right)

Anamosa – A correctional officer was assaulted at the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Anamosa, Sunday afternoon. The Iowa Dept. of Corrections said the incident happened at around 2:17-p.m.

The officer was working at his post when an inmate unexpectedly struck him in the face with a closed-fist strike. The officer placed a call for assistance, and additional staff were able to quickly take the inmate under control without further incident.

The officer was taken to the Jones Regional Medical Center and found to have suffered bruising from the incident. The inmate was uninjured. The incident remains under investigation.

A 17-year old male from Council Bluffs reported missing by his family Saturday, has safely returned home on his own. Late Sunday night, authorities said Jeremiah Kuenning had left his house upset, Saturday. His mother said the teen is autistic and takes medication.

He was normally allowed to walk from the home to calm down, but had not returned, Saturday by the time authorities were notified. Again, the teen DID return home on his own Sunday, and is safe.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:38 a.m. CST

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — With just one week left until the caucuses, the candidates’ Iowa organizations are more important than ever. Hundreds of staffers and volunteers have fanned out across the state, knocking on doors and making calls to ensure their candidate’s supporters turn out on caucus night. Bernie Sanders’ campaign is canvassing voters in unusual locations, like trailer parks and outside CVS pharmacies. Elizabeth Warren has had some of the most seasoned staffers organizing in Iowa since the spring, and she’s hoping they’ll help her make up for lost ground in the polls. Meanwhile, Joe Biden is facing questions about how robust his organization is in smaller counties around the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Four states along the Missouri River are joining forces to look for ways to avoid the kind of flooding that caused millions of dollars in damage last year. Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas are pooling their money to pay for half of a $400,000 study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to measure how much water flows down the Missouri River. State officials hope to present a united front to federal officials to gain more influence over how the river is managed after devastating floods in 2011 and 2019.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The fight for the Democratic presidential nomination is raging across Iowa as the party’s leading candidates and their allies deliver losing arguments that focus on who’s best positioned to defeat President Donald Trump. Self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders has emerged as a central figure in the electability debate. New polls show him gaining strength just eight days before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses on Feb. 3. That strength is causing concern among his more moderate Democratic rivals. They fear he’s too radical to beat Trump in November.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Organizers of an emergency warming shelter in Waterloo have been given more time to operate while they search for another location that meets local fire codes. The Courier reports that Waterloo Fire Chief Pat Treloar has given the shelter inside the Jubilee United Methodist Church Freedom Center until Jan. 31. The overnight shelter opened Jan. 6 to provide a safe haven from freezing temperatures to the homeless. But organizers were told it would have to close on Jan. 21 after an inspection found the space didn’t have a sprinkler system. The state fire marshal granted an extension after learning organizers had found possible alternatives.