Several area students earned collegiate academic honors for the fall semester at their respective schools.

OTTUMWA — Police say they arrested an Ottumwa man after a traffic stop because they found methamphetamine and packaging material.

OTTUMWA — A pursuit reached speeds of 100 mph Wednesday before ending after the tires of the vehicle were punctured using two spike strips, police said.

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Art Association will be hosting a closing reception and gallery talk by local artist Mark Shafer, whose "Retrospect" exhibit is on display in the main gallery at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center through the end of January.

FAIRFIELD — A Jefferson County man has been charged with arson after prosecutors say he burned a home he was constructing because it was over budget.

OTTUMWA — A search of a vehicle stopped by the Ottumwa Police found methamphetamine and more than $2,000, officers said in court filings.

OTTUMWA — The Test Iowa COVID-19 testing clinic at 1207 N. Jefferson St. will be expanding its hours beginning next week.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs awarded $1.25 million across nine Iowa communities in creative placemaking grants to build projects and strengthen communities.

CLIVE — MercyOne will be lighting up the sky in appreciation of health care workers across Iowa through Jan. 7.

OTTUMWA — Local police said they found methamphetamine after stopping a vehicle with license plates that were reported stolen.

OTTUMWA — Police have charged an Ottumwa woman with methamphetamine possession following a traffic stop Sunday morning.

BLOOMFIELD — The Bloomfield Police Department has charged five with felony drug charges following a five-month investigation.

OTTUMWA — The Test Iowa COVID-19 clinic at 1207 N. Jefferson St. will be closed New Year's Day.

OTTUMWA — Ottumwa Hy-Vee stores participated in the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Drive by offering customers the opportunity to donate during the checkout process.

OSKALOOSA — Crisis Intervention Services recently awarded 30 gifts to its clients on Dec. 23, made possible by donors in the 12-county region served by CIS.

OTTUMWA — The city of Ottumwa's snow emergency ordinance, which was put in place during Tuesday's winter storm, will be allowed to expire at 7 p.m.

OTTUMWA — The city's Historic Preservation Commission is postponing the holiday luminary lighting project indefinitely.

LifeServe Blood Center will be holding a community blood drive next month in Moravia as part of National Blood Donor Month.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Pekin and Fairfield school districts were just two of a handful of schools to receive free face shields from Alliant Energy and the Iowa State University Digital Manufacturing Lab as part of a venture with two other companies.

OTTUMWA — Wapello County offices and buildings will reopen their doors Monday after having been closed since Nov. 18 because of COVID-19.

OTTUMWA — Chef Michael Kopp has returned to Pennsylvania Place to oversee food operation at the retirement community.

With winter weather here or on the way, the United States Postal Service reminds customers to clear paths to their mailbox.

OTTUMWA — Community 1st Credit Union was recently recognized by the Iowa division of the U.S. Small Business Administration as one of the top-five financial institutions for loans produced (non-Paycheck Protection Program) through the third quarter of 2020, and the only credit union recogniz…

OTTUMWA — The Historic Preservation Commission for the city of Ottumwa has rescheduled its holiday luminary display because of high winds.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced $7 million in grants that will benefit 267 cultural organizations and 152 artists serving 118 communities.

Wapello County has announced it will observe 12 holidays during 2021, starting with New Year's Day.

AMES — Several area students earned degrees from Iowa State University with the end of the fall term. This list is as follows:

OTTUMWA — For both the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the city of Ottumwa has announced schedule and service changes to accommodate the holidays, which fall on Fridays.

OTTUMWA — The Historic Preservation Commission for the city of Ottumwa will line the streets of the city's four residential National Historic Districts with luminaries Dec. 23 from 6-8 p.m.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Area 15 and Greater Ottumwa Area Partners In Progress partnership will be receiving financial support from ITC Midwest as part of the company's larger disaster relief assistance from both the COVID-19 pandemic and derecho.

OTTUMWA — Ottumwa dog owners can purchase 2021 city of Ottumwa dog licenses beginning Monday.

Starting Tuesday, Iowans can buy 2021 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses to replace their expiring 2020 licenses, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce has announced five days for a drive-by visit with Santa Claus on the town square.

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Friday that almost $9 million in assistance is available to assist eligible Iowans who are at risk of eviction and individuals who have lost housing to quickly regain housing stability.

BLOOMFIELD — A Black Friday shooting that injured one person has resulted in a man being charged.

OSKALOOSA — Crisis Intervention Services, which serves a 12-county area in southern Iowa, is attempting to make the holidays brighter and safer for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and violent crimes by providing gift cards to them and their families to buy toys, clothing, food…

DES MOINES — A pair of local housing trust funds have earned grants from the Iowa Finance Authority to support local housing initiatives for fiscal year 2020.

OTTUMWA — Indian Hills Community College was recently approved by the Department of Labor to start a Nursing Apprenticeship program, and the school is wasting little time trying to connect potential nurses to employers.

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday announced the launch of an Iowa Arts & Cultural Program. The statewide grant program will provide short-term relief to arts venues, cultural organizations and creative workers who have lost significant business or income due to COVID-19.

DES MOINES — COVID Recovery Iowa, which offers free confidential counseling, support groups and personal support for anyone who has been impacted by COVID-19, has launched Virtual Santa over various social media platforms in time for the holidays.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Alliant Energy is seeking applications for its 2021 Innovation scholarships as the company recognizes outstanding community leadership. Up to 25 students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help them reach their academic goals.

The U.S. Postal Service is expecting more gifts and greetings to be sent through the mail this year, and once again, the USPS advises to send early.

As part of an announced $3.1 million investment through the "Hometown Strong Initiative," JBS USA and Plumrose USA will provide $600,000 in funding for expansion of the Ottumwa Family YMCA Day Care.

OTTUMWA — A major reconstruction of Highway 63 south in Ottumwa is almost complete.

OTTUMWA — Due to the continued precautions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center offices will be closed to the public until further notice.

OTTUMWA — New scholarships will be available for Wapello County students beginning with the next school year.

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that the annual holiday lighting ceremony in Central Park, which was scheduled for Nov. 27, has been canceled.