Fairfield News

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped 15,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 320,000, the fewest since October 2007 ? a sign of dwindling layoffs and steady if modest job growth.The Labor Department said today that the less volatile four-week average fell 4,000 to 332,000, the fewest since November 2007 and the fifth straight decline.Companies are laying off fewer workers, a trend ...

Through 80 summers, drive-in theaters have managed to remain a part of the American fabric, surviving technological advances and changing tastes that put thousands out of business.Now the industry says a good chunk of the 350 or so left could be forced to turn out the lights because they can?t afford to adapt to the digital age.Movie studios are phasing out 35 mm film prints, and the switch to an eventually ...

The Monsanto Fund has announced this year?s America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education finalists includes the Pekin and Cardinal community school districts.Nominated school districts from across the country submitted completed grant applications by April 30. For the past month, a panel of educators reviewed applications and sent the strongest submissions for consideration by the America?s Farmers Grow Rural Education...

Everybody agrees that a 19-year-old Pennsylvania man dressed up as a ninja and lurked near homes, but they disagree whether that?s a good idea ? or legal.Todd Kapcsos, of Johnstown, was in court Wednesday to waive his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of loitering, prowling at night and disorderly conduct.Police said Kapcsos frightened some elderly residents who saw him sneaking around while carrying a ...

The community is invited to support the Fairfield High School and Middle School marching bands by attending the band showcase at 7 p.m. Friday, at Fairfield High School Trojan Stadium.The event is free and open to the public.Both marching bands will perform, showcasing both music and marching developed throughout the preceding days of evening band camp rehearsals.The Fairfield Middle School Band is under the ...

While the trial of Boston mobster James ?Whitey? Bulger showed that he committed horrific crimes, testimony from witnesses also revealed a stunning degree of corruption in the U.S. Department of Justice that enabled the man who was eventually labeled as the FBI?s most wanted fugitive to operate in the city for years, a juror said.Janet Uhlar-Tinney, a pediatric nurse and fiction writer from Cape Cod, is one of ...

Two state senators have asked the Iowa Office of Ombudsman to conduct an independent investigation to ensure the safety and well being of youth residing at the Toledo Juvenile Home.Sen. Amanda Ragan, chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee, and Sen. Jack Hatch, chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, sent the formal request to Ruth H. Cooperider, Iowa?s Ombudsman, on Monday.?The...

The Maharishi University of Management debuts a new master?s degree this semester, The David Lynch MA in film.The university has offered undergraduate filmmaking since 2007 in its Media and Communications Department and animation courses available in the Art Department for many years. It is now adding the next layer of learning.?The graduate program is designed to take an idea to completion in a major project, ...

The Fairfield City Council?s push to rezone the former Nelson Nursing Home on West Taylor Avenue has proven to be a thorny issue all spring and summer long.John Kuster plans to turn the vacant building into an apartment complex capable of holding 19 units. However, to do that the council must change the building?s zoning from R-2 to R-3 because that level of density is not allowed under R-2 zoning.At an earlier ...

KEOTA (GTNS) ? Incoming Keota Junior High/High School principal Steve Seid said he plans to have an open door policy for students ? it?s just that the students may have a hard time catching him in his office.With the hope of becoming an integral part of the school and the community, Seid does not expect to be in his office much of the time. He hopes to be out interacting with students.?I?ll be in the inner ...

The financially struggling U.S. Postal Service is revamping its priority mail program to raise revenue and drive new growth in its package delivery business.The agency is now offering free online tracking for priority mail shipments, free insurance and date-specific delivery so customers know whether a package will arrive in one, two or three days.Postal officials said today they expect the changes to generate ...

WINFIELD (GTNS) ? At Monday?s Winfield City Council meeting, the council revisited the potential revisions to the animal control ordinance, particularly whether or not to allow pit bulls, and the result moved one city employee to quit her job.The discussion was about the proposed changes to a new ordinance, which will have the first reading at the next city council meeting.The council voted 3-2 to keep the ...