Milton, IA Local News and More

Fairfield Man Charged With OWI, Drug Possession, Then Caught at School

An 18-year-old Fairfield man is facing multiple charges from two separate alleged incidents in the same week, including one at the Fairfield High School. Hunter Drollinger, 18, faces Operating While Under the Influence — 1st Offense (serious misdemeanor), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) — 1st Offense (serious misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor) from the first incident. A second Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) — 1st Offense (serious misdemeanor) charge stems from the second incident.

ottumwaradio.com

Fairfield Woman Charged After Protected Party Visited Her in Jail Three Times

A Fairfield woman has been charged with violating a no contact order after a protected party visited her multiple times while she was incarcerated. Jaiden Hainline, 25, was charged on Saturday, November 7th with violation of a no contact/protective order, a simple misdemeanor. According to court documents, a no contact order had been issued against Hainline in December 2024. The protected party visited Hainline at the jail on October 12th, October 26th, and November 2nd, prompting correctional staff to alert authorities.

ottumwaradio.com

Fairfield Woman Faces Domestic Abuse Charge After Alleged Knife Threat Against Sibling

A Fairfield woman is facing a domestic abuse charge after allegedly threatening a sibling with a knife at their shared residence. Yvette Stepp, 62, was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault — 2nd Offense, an aggravated misdemeanor, following an incident at a residence on South 17th Street in Fairfield on the evening of November 5th. According to court documents, Stepp threatened her sibling by taking a knife and telling them she would kill them during the night if they did not leave the home they share.

ottumwaradio.com

Ottumwa Woman Arrested after Allegedly Refusing to Return Rental Car

An Ottumwa woman faces legal trouble for not returning a car she rented earlier this year despite repeated attempts from the rental company to recover the vehicle, according to authorities. Wendy Mills, 51, has been charged with first-degree theft, a Class C felony. On October 22, court records say an...

Ottumwa, IA · 9h

KBUR

Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana

Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana. Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress executive director Marc Roe says within hours of last Tuesday’s announcement, he began collaborating with Iowa Workforce Development and Indian Hills Community College to brainstorm how to retrain and retain those workers. “Ottumwa, any community isn’t about one business. It’s going to change our landscape for sure, but, you know, it doesn’t have to determine the future of the community. That’s up to us to do,” Roe says. John Deere will leave about 400 people out of jobs, in addition to an abandoned industrial complex in the middle of Ottumwa. Roe hopes to attract new manufacturing, retrain local employees through workforce development or the local community college, and find new ways to retain families who are building businesses or going to school in Ottumwa.

ottumwaradio.com

Ottumwa Announces Veterans Day Closings and Garbage Collection Changes

The City of Ottumwa is reminding residents of changes to garbage and recycling collection, along with scheduled city office and facility closings, in observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Residents who normally receive garbage and recycling collection on Wednesdays will have their service moved to Thursday, November...

ottumwaradio.com

Agency to Host Very Merry Christmas Vendor Show

The holiday shopping season is getting closer, and residents are invited to celebrate the season while supporting local businesses at the Very Merry Agency Christmas Vendor Show on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Agency Community Center in Agency,...

Agency, IA · 1d

ottumwaradio.com

Main Street Fairfield Awarded $100,000 State Grant for Downtown Housing

Main Street Fairfield has received a $100,000 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant to rehabilitate the upper story of the historic Bradshaw building at 118 W. Burlington Ave., creating five additional residential units in downtown Fairfield. The local match on the project is $358,028, bringing the total project cost to $458,028.

ottumwaradio.com

Wapello-Keokuk Road Closed for Bridge Replacement Work

Motorists traveling on Wapello-Keokuk Road should plan for a temporary road closure beginning Tuesday, November 10, as crews begin construction work to replace a small bridge with a culvert. According to the Wapello County Road Department, the closure will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to remain in...

Wapello County, IA · 13h

ktvo.com

Ottumwa mayor optimistic the Jefferson Street Bridge will re-open in the coming days

OTTUMWA, Iowa - Ottumwa Mayor Benjamin Foote says the city’s Jefferson Street Bridge is expected to re-open — hopefully within the coming days. The city said contractors installed a new special-order expansion joint on Monday and poured concrete Wednesday, which has to cure before the bridge can be re-opened.

ottumwaradio.com

Tune into the Past with Ottumwa Radio: Wapello County’s Forgotten Civil War Heroes

The history of Wapello County is filled with stories of courage, sacrifice and service. Among the most significant chapters is the Civil War, when men from Ottumwa and surrounding communities left their homes and families to fight for the Union. When the Civil War began in 1861, Iowa answered the...

Wapello County, IA · 13h

ottumwaradio.com

Holiday Train Attendees Should Prepare for Parking Changes

Residents planning to attend the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, should be aware of several parking and transportation changes for this year’s event. The Holiday Train event will take place on the north side of the railroad tracks. All attendees will be...

Ottumwa, IA · 12h

ktvo.com

Ottumwa WinterFest set to return for second year with full week of activities

OTTUMWA, Iowa - On Monday, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (GOPIP) Executive Director Marc Roe announced the return of Ottumwa WinterFest. It will take place Dec. 7–13, at the Southeast Iowa JBS Sports Center, 103 Church Street. Last year was the first year for WinterFest and it returns with...

partner publisher · 237.1K followers

MotorBiscuit

John Deere Plans to Close 2 Iowa Plants, and One Line Is Moving to Louisiana

John Deere plans to close two Iowa plants, Ottumwa Works and Hagie in Clarion, moving the work to Des Moines and Thibodaux, Louisiana, by fiscal 2029.

ktvo.com

Ottumwa mayor discusses future of the city’s invocation policy

OTTUMWA, Iowa - City officials in a Southeast Iowa town are taking a closer look at the city’s public invocation policy after a volunteer’s Satanic prayer caused national controversy. Ottumwa resident and former city council member Matthew Dalbey gave that invocation before the city council meeting on Oct....

ottumwaradio.com

Southeast Iowa Communities Prepare to Honor Veterans on November 11

Communities throughout southeast Iowa are preparing to recognize the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces during Veterans Day observances on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Several schools, veterans organizations and community groups have announced ceremonies, assemblies, meals and special activities to honor local veterans and...

ottumwaradio.com

Justice Bus Makes Stop in Ottumwa Offering Free Legal Assistance

Residents in the Ottumwa area have an opportunity to receive assistance with a variety of civil legal issues as the Iowa Legal Aid Justice Bus makes a stop in the community today. The mobile legal clinic will be stationed at SIEDA Community Action, 725 W. Second Street in Ottumwa, until...

ottumwaradio.com

Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner Returns November 26

The annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will return to Ottumwa on Thursday, November 26, with organizers expecting to serve approximately 3,600 meals to area residents. The free Thanksgiving meal will be served at the Ottumwa High School (OHS) cafeteria, with access through the Fourth Street entrance. The meal is open to everyone, and there is no charge.

ottumwaradio.com

Jefferson County Ambulance Director Proposes Body Cameras for EMS Staff

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors heard a proposal Monday from Jefferson County Ambulance Director Josh Hemminger to equip EMS personnel with body-worn cameras, sparking a lengthy discussion about patient privacy, consent, and staff safety before the board voted 3-0 to table the matter until the next meeting. Before turning...

Jefferson County, IA · 16h

nemonews.net