Fairfield News

An Ottumwa man who took nearly $1 million from friends and neighbors and promised to invest it was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion.John Holtsinger, 52, a former softball coach who claimed to be an investment adviser but lacked the required licenses to legally invest others? money, left many of the people who trusted him financially ...

Bald eagles got their day ? or two ? in the sun last weekend.Wildlife workers and volunteers had their eyes on the skies as they tallied and reported sightings of bald eagles across the country.The Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey has been held for more than 30 years, coordinated by the Army Corps of Engineers. For flexibility, surveyors have Jan. 2-16 to finish their non-overlapping routes, though the target dates ...

DES MOINES (AP) ? Iowa?s insurance commissioner on Wednesday approved a contentious premium increase requested by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, saying it was justified because of higher spending on health care services.Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss said an independent actuary and one who works for her department agreed on the 12 to 13 percent increase requested by the state?s dominant health insurance ...

A page of news from the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Click on "January 2013 Chamber page" under "Related Information" shown below.

Inspectors taking the first-ever inventory of flood control systems overseen by the federal government have found hundreds of structures at risk of failing and endangering people and property in 37 states.Levees deemed in unacceptable condition span the breadth of America. They are in every region, in cities and towns big and small: Washington, D.C., and Sacramento Calif., Cleveland and Dallas, Augusta, Ga., and ...

DES MOINES (AP) ? Iowa officials are making a one-time booster shot for whooping cough a requirement for school enrollment.The state Department of Public Health says the requirement for students enrolling in seventh grade in the fall becomes effective Wednesday. Officials say it will reduce whooping cough cases, which surges every few years.Children usually receive the bacterial vaccine when they?re toddlers. ...

Jefferson County Board of Supervisors listened Monday to a request to help fund the Regional Housing Trust Fund in a new way ? having each county contribute 15-cents per capita, or in Jefferson County?s case, $2,526.45 annually.?We?re looking for a pledge,? said Ellen Foudree, director of Area 15 Regional Planning.The supervisors took no vote Monday because the agenda item specified only meeting with Foudree.Ar...

Fairfield Police Department arrested David Roy White, 30, of 1504 Lone Oak Circle, at 7:34 p.m. Wednesday, at 203 South B St., Apt. 3. He is charged with domestic abuse assault, second offense, and fifth degree criminal mischief.

The Fairfield City Council approved the newest member of the Fairfield Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night at city hall.Mayor Ed Malloy selected Clyde Cleveland, president of Randall Marketing Group, to fill the seat left vacant by Ed Osby whose term expired Dec. 31.Councilman Michael Halley made the motion to approve the appointment, which was seconded by councilwoman Connie Boyer. The council passed ...

Jefferson County 4-H Youth Coordinator Kaye Gilbert arranges some of the 60-plus prom dresses available at a fund-raising sale planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m.Sunday on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Proceeds will benefit the Jefferson County 4-H program.

Contractor Tony Hammes does framework for new Jefferson County attorney offices this morning at the former Department of Human Services building on East Hempstead Avenue north of the courthouse. When the project is completed, the attorney?s offices will be moved from 117 W. Broadway Ave.

Jefferson County Sheriff?s Office arrested Joseph Siemers at 8:27 p.m. Tuesday in Birmingham on a warrant for probation violation.Coltin McRoy was arrested at 5:02 p.m. Tuesday in Lockridge on a warrant from another agency for escape.