The wife of a defeated Boone City Council candidate is accused of assaulting three people—including one of whom she blamed for her husband’s loss—following Monday’s Boone Utility Commission meeting.
According to a criminal complaint, Amy Rasmussen, 54, took exception to the way Boone resident April Burch—who is also her cousin—spoke about her husband, Todd Rasmussen, during the election.
Todd Rasmussen was narrowly defeated by incumbent councilperson Elijah Stine on Nov. 2.
This year, a number of local city and school board races across Iowa were unusually and highly contentious as they became more politicized, including in Boone.
During the election, Todd Rasmussen ran as part of a block of conservative city council candidates which included Annie Wallert, who was also defeated, and Cole Hilpripe, who was successful in his race against Scott Zeitler.
Burch, known for her activism in the town of about 12,500 residents, was open in her opposition to all three conservative candidates and endorsed their opponents. She also endorsed Boone City Councilmember Holly Stecker’s mayoral bid; however, Stecker was defeated by incumbent mayor John Slight.
Even before Monday’s incident, there was some shared history between some of the candidates and their supporters but never any physical violence.
Wallert started a petition in summer 2020 asking Stine and Stecker to resign after they attended a social justice protest in Boone. Todd Rasmussen signed the petition and commented that Stine and Stecker don’t support law enforcement, but instead support those who want to abolish the police.
In a separate incident also in summer 2020, Wallert sued Burch and Katherine Stine—councilmember Elijah Stine’s wife—for defamation of character, slander, libel, and harassment over Facebook posts questioning Wallert’s motives with the Boone Homeless Fund, a nonprofit organization she started in 2019, and other activities she was involved in.
According to court records, the matter is still in litigation.
When Amy Rasmussen saw Burch outside of Boone City Hall after Monday’s commission meeting, she confronted her and accused Burch of making derogatory remarks about her husband and son before the alleged attack during which Rasmussen told Burch she was going to be “hog chow” the next time she saw her, according to court documents.
“I was punched repeatedly in the head,” Burch told Starting Line. “The assault continued after I fell to the ground where I was also kicked in the head. The extent of my injuries is unknown at this time. I am cooperating fully in the law enforcement investigation and hopeful that justice is served.”
Also during the assault, Rasmussen is said to have knocked Boone resident Laura Hutchcroft over a retaining wall which caused a back injury to Hutchcroft. Burch and Hutchcroft were treated for their injuries and filed for protective orders against Rasmussen.
Additionally, Rasmussen is also accused of striking Stecker with an elbow during the incident. Notably, Rasmussen, Hutchcroft, and Stecker all serve on the Boone Art Commission together.
Rasmussen was arrested and taken to the Boone County Jail following the incident. She was charged with two counts of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness (serious misdemeanors); and disorderly conduct – fighting violent behavior, assault, and third-degree harassment, all of which are simple misdemeanors.
She was released Tuesday on a $600 bond. A since-deleted GoFundMe page was set up by Erin Canfield of Boone to help Amy Rasmussen cover her legal expenses and Wallert donated $50 toward it.
In response, Amy Rasmussen’s sister, Teresa Pori of Bakersfield, California, set up a separate and still active GoFundMe page to support Burch.
“It’s no longer safe for her family of nine to live in the town that she was born and raised in,” Pori wrote. “I am looking for your assistance to help April and her family heal from this devastating experience, upgrade their household security and accelerate their plans to relocate to a safer community.
“Let’s show April the love and support she has shown so many of us over the years.”
Correction: Katherine Stine was misidentified in an earlier version of this story.
by Ty Rushing
Posted 12/02/21
12 Comments on "Political Tensions In Boone Lead To Altercation, Arrest"
Who wants proof, this is not true, please contact me for proof and facts!
How about my family pori! I have dealt with harassment and stalking fr 2 years from these people, I have facts and court documents to back it up, please contact me, the truth needs to be on the news.
My sister Amy Lois Rasmussen. Has been unhinged since she left and abandoned her children in 1998. She refuses to get along with any of her blood relative unless there is an inheritance lurking. She needs to be locked up and evaluated for mental fitness. Since Amy has moved to Boone she has been a thorn in my cousins side, spouting hate everywhere she goes. They are in fact unfit parents and the grown children Amy abandoned want nothing to do with her. I wish that I would never asked for this pos shit to be born. Thank you for hearing me out. Teresa Pori.
It’s Elijah Stines, not Stine.
Amy Rasmussen has a 2 year term – expiring December 31, 2023, on the Boone Arts Commission. She should do the honorable thing and resign. Thuggery and the Arts are Incompatible.
If she doesn’t resign she should be kicked off. I doubt she could go to any meetings anyway, because she would be violating 2 No Contact orders.
Lois aka Amy is nothing more than a thug and a grifter. She has proven her lack of credibility. Why do Todd and Lois not include Lois’ daughter as a family member? Home schooling their son? Todd Sr saying he’s an “evangelical” when his wife has been a pagan practicing witch? It’s all a grifting ruse to set them up for retirement. Check her background out. Listen to her sister and family. Would bet the farm that an evangelical church hasn’t been graced by either “Toddy or Lois” in a long time! They are playing the people of Boone and sounds like some are sucking their lies down!!
Teresa..Lois is showing her true colors. Her strength training paid off. Odd that politics is her and Todd’s interest. Suppose they see it as a possible retirement income? Never thought Lois with her Wiccan/Pagan beliefs and rituals would end up with an evangelical, conservative. Wonder if there’s a tombstone altar in their basement like the creepy one she had in California??Notice how their youngest son is mentioned in the family info while Lois’ two adult kids aren’t included? She can pretend all she wants and fool some people but it won’t change what and who she really is. ✌
Rob..if you have proof this isn’t true, post it for all to see instead of playing games..
April Burch has lied and manipulated the system more then once and here she is going again. She is the biggest do as I say not as I do person I’ve ever met. Her skeletons are very close to falling out of her closet and can’t wait to see how she tries to weasel her way out of them. Just sit back and watch. The house of cards is very close to falling. Very sad but will be well deserved.
Boone is a scurvy, dirty plantation town, the government is crooked from the top down, even the cops and sheriff are crooks.
By the way, we all know “Rob” is Todd…
My name is Maria Iam homeless at a campground in Boone ia my section 8 apartment won’t be ready until 2nd week in July I’m on oxygen and it’s very hot outside I have tried to get help I’m my town Boone ia there even have a homeless fund in Boone Iowa but they won’t help me get into a hotel to get out of the heat I can’t breathe I’m on oxygen just to my apartment right in 2 weeks I need help I don’t know where to go to get the help