Fairfield News

In a major victory for gay rights, the Supreme Court today struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples and cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in California.The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from ...

The Broadway-bound musical ?The Bridges of Madison County? has its new lovers ? Kelli O?Hara and Steven Pasquale.Producers said Wednesday that O?Hara, last on Broadway in ?Nice Work If You Can Get It,? will star opposite Pasquale, who was in ?Reasons To Be Pretty.?The show, with songs by Jason Robert Brown and a book by Marsha Norman, will debut at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts this August ...

Drawing on the political might of the White House, Democrats swept to victory in a U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts that highlighted President Barack Obama?s challenges in the 2014 congressional elections and the GOP?s struggle to broaden its appeal.Three years ago, a little-known Republican state senator, Scott Brown, shocked the political world with an unlikely victory to claim the seat held by the late U.S. ...

Waterworks Park is now open to the public and will remain open until further notice.The park was initially going to be closed for most of this week because of construction. However, Monday?s rain has delayed the construction, so the park is operating under normal hours.

Fairfield residents who moved, built or bought a new home in the past year could miss out on nearly $200 if they miss the July 1 deadline to claim the Homestead Credit Exemption, said Jefferson County Assessor Sheri Blough.Homeowners should check their property tax receipts to make sure they are receiving the Homestead Credit Exemption, said Blough.?The state now pays 100 percent, so this year it will be $197 ...

The Greater Jefferson County Fair Queen candidates will compete for the crown 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on the show arena stage. The six candidates are, from left, Danielle Garrison, Kaitlyn Daugherty, Allie Philips, Ellen Peters, Megan Black and Brooke Stever.

OTTUMWA ? A 10-day rash of car thefts spanning three counties ended Thursday and Friday with the arrest of two 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old in Wapello County. A fourth suspect, 17, also is expected to be charged in connection with the thefts. Suspects are facing charges in Davis, Jefferson and Wapello counties.William McCarroll, 18, of Ottumwa was charged with first-degree theft and two counts of second-degre...

Local 4-H Club members hope their green thumbs can help keep their clubs operating in the black and help a selected charitable cause, as well.In an effort to raise money both for their clubs and for a 4-H related charitable cause, local 4-H clubs were issued the first annual Club Challenge. Club members were challenged to design and create a flower planter that is visually appealing to potential buyers. Members ...

Leanna Miller prepares a plate of pasta during FAIRfest Saturday in Fairfield. Miller was working at one of several street vendors that lined North Main Street that weekend.

Taking climate change efforts into his own hands, President Barack Obama is proposing sweeping steps to limit heat-trapping pollution from coal-fired power plants and to boost renewable energy production on federal property.Obama, in a speech today at Georgetown University, was to announce he?s issuing a presidential memorandum to launch the first-ever federal regulations on carbon dioxide emitted by existing ...

Fairfield Police Department arrested Justin Haynes at 11:55 p.m. Monday on a warrant for serious assault.Lance Smith was arrested at 7:08 p.m. Monday for third-degree burglary, serious domestic assault, possession of controlled substance-enhanced and interference with official acts.Police investigated the report of a theft at 2 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of East Buchanan Avenue.Police were called to a ...

Two weeks ago, Jefferson County Board of Supervisors tabled a request so supervisors could do more research on prices to replace and/or repair a wheeled excavator for the county?s Secondary Roads Department.Today, Supervisor Dick Reed said he agrees the department needs the equipment. He suggested tabling the request for six months and the other supervisors agreed.?I?m not wanting to spend money this early in ...