Fairfield News

Iowa?s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to drop in February, falling to 5.3 percent from 5.4 percent in January.The comparable rate for February 2011 was 6 percent. Meanwhile, the nation?s unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent.Jefferson County?s unemployment rate dropped from 6.9 percent in January to 6.7 percent in February. Henry County fared a percentage point better, dropping from an 8 ...

The Iowa House has given final legislative approval to a spending plan aimed at keeping Iowa Workforce Development offices around the state open for the rest of this budget year.The House approved the plan Thursday on a 92-0 vote, sending it to Gov. Terry Branstad.The measure calls for spending $8.67 million to keep the Workforce Development offices open through the end of the current budget year in June.Lawmak...

Iowa?s top legislative leaders said Thursday that the end of this year?s session could be delayed because Democrats who control the Senate and Republicans who control the House haven?t been able to agree on state spending plans.Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, called the budget the ?one absolutely critical thing a Legislature must do every year.??There?s a whole lot of other things ...

This special 20-page section included with today?s edition of The Fairfield Ledger recognizes outstanding area senior class students.Read the profiles of seniors nominated for their participation in co-curricular activities, citizenship and leadership. Included are students from Fairfield High School, Cardinal High School, Pekin High School, Van Buren High School, Maharishi School and more.

These traffic charges were filed with the Jefferson County Clerk of Court:Tanner Evan Metcalf, Batavia, speeding.Sandra Kay Miller, Ottumwa, speeding.

The Jefferson County Sheriff?s Office arrested Amber Marie Timmons, 31, 2561 Salina Road, at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday at 1200 W. Grimes Ave. for a probation violation.

Fairfield?s new Walmart, 2701 W. Burlington Ave., will open May 9.A grand opening is planned on opening day, but an exact time is not yet set.The current store will remain open for business until the new store opens, said manager Kevin Mehaffy.?Our new store will be open 24 hours,? he said. ?The two biggest new areas will be the full grocery section and our seasonal, garden center area.?The grocery store will ...

Cardinal High School?s zero tolerance for missed homework assignments, the Ketchup Program inaugurated at the beginning of this spring semester, has data showing the program?s results.?I truly didn?t know what this new program would do for our students,? said superintendent Joel Pedersen. ?Wow, the initial data is in and look at these numbers.?Cardinal, grades nine through 12, has 229 students.Pedersen reports ...

Local efforts were rewarded this morning with the news Fairfield has been named a Blue Zones Project finalist among communities under 10,000 in population.City administrator Jeff Clawson received notification from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Healthways today, but site visit details are not yet ready for release. Healthways will officially announce the 10 small cities that have been chosen for site ...

These traffic charges were filed with the Jefferson County Clerk of Court:Elizabeth D. Quarles, 1855 Crystal Springs Lane, speeding.Tad Scott Christenson, Eldridge, speeding.Kirya Denyse Louth, 55 Wilson Blvd., dark windows.Lacie Faustine Wray, Centerville, speeding.Shannon June Capper, Mount Pleasant, speeding.Shawn A. Nelson, Lockridge, speeding.Ignacio Pascual Marcos, Ottumwa, failure to maintain ...

ANKENY ? The Iowa Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Iowa?s 99 county treasurers, will implement a 10-year vehicle license plate replacement cycle beginning Monday.The IDOT is not implementing a new license plate design; the design of the replacement plates will be the same as the currently issued plates. IDOT plans to retain and use this design well into the future.The IDOT recognizes, however, ...

ASSOCIATE DISTRICT COURTJesse Torres Jr., 29, of Davenport pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated-first offense and was ordered to enroll in a course for drinking drivers. All but two days of a 30-day jail sentence was suspended, and Torres was put on probation for two years. Torres also must pay a $1,250 fine and a $10 drug abuse resistance education surcharge.Mandy Dawn Greiner, 36, 100 N. 16th St., ...