DES MOINES — Court filings suggest a Bloomfield man facing federal child abuse charges intends to use a diminished capacity defense if the case goes to trial.

OTTUMWA — Perhaps it's fitting that one of Wapello County's oldest businesses was the location for Leigh Michaels' latest book signing. After all, her most popular subject by far is local history.

KNOXVILLE — Wrapped in the reds, whites and blues of a new quilt, Myles Murphy uncovered a couple of military memories Monday during a ceremony at Knoxville High School.

OTTUMWA — The courtroom was packed, which is unusual for a Saturday. The number of children was a bit strange for the main courtroom, too; perhaps three dozen youngsters explored the third floor of the Wapello County Courthouse.

A late-night traffic stop got dicey for a Centerville Police Officer, who fired his weapon at a dog he said charged him.

OTTUMWA — Despite pleas from students, parents and coaches Monday night, the Ottumwa school board will reserve organized athletics for its own students.

OTTUMWA — Live music, drinks and bacon. One of the musicians on stage asked the audience at BaconTown if they had everything they needed. If they needed more of those three things, they were in the right place.

A threat of snow this weekend will not deter southeast Iowa from entertaining the masses. Concerts, plays and bacon await residents and visitors.

OTTUMWA — Nearly 400 missing Iowans have not been found, and that number remains steady as old cases are closed and new cases are filed, according to Medina Rahmanovic, manager of the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

OTTUMWA — Graham crackers, frosting, sugar wafers, gum drops and Skittles became building materials at Ottumwa Public Library Thursday.

FAIRFILED — A late filing in a Jefferson County case sheds new light on the case against a therapist who pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a client.

OTTUMWA — Knowing what their children are learning at school has never been easier for parents in the Ottumwa Community School District. Throughout their busy days, parents keep up with their children on their smartphones.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Court of Appeals has thrown out the civil commitment of a Mahaska County man, saying the state failed two points of the test to have the commitment enforced.

OTTUMWA — In one of the last area races to be determined Tuesday night, Republican Marriannette Miller-Meeks was elected to the Iowa Senate.

OTTUMWA – Monday’s fire at 201 Albany St. in Ottumwa is the second at the house in as many months, said Fire Chief Tony Miller Tuesday. Both fires were caused by people living in the home without permission, he said.

OTTUMWA – The president of United Auto Workers Local 74 in Ottumwa was more than happy to host an open house for the League of United Latin American Citizens Sunday.

FAIRFIELD — A former psychologist given a suspended prison sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.

Say goodbye to scary and hello to the holidays as October gives way to November in southeast Iowa.

OTTUMWA — During the month of November, eating a canteen will help homeless women and children in southeast Iowa.

OTTUMWA — Iowa judges aren’t elected, but they do face retention votes in which residents can decide whether they stay on the bench.

OTTUMWA — The newest chapter of the oldest and largest Latino organization in the United States will host an open house Sunday to familiarize the Ottumwa community with the organization.

OTTUMWA — When Ottumwa Community School District approved an insurance plan for the 2018-2019 school year, it approved the addition of violent-event response coverage, an option that schools across the nation are adding to their policies.

FAIRFIELD – Jefferson County Supervisors will not begin video recording board meetings until after the Nov. 6 elections, they decided Monday.

FAIRFIELD — A Saturday night crash killed one persona and seriously injured another in Jefferson County.

OTTUMWA – The grace period for most student loans ends six months after a student leaves college. Iowa College Aid and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office are warning May 2018 graduates to beware of loan rescue organizations as the repayment start date approaches.

In France, there is no higher military or civilian award than the Legion of Honor. On Friday, it was an American World War II veteran and Centerville resident Edward Bellendier who was pinned with the award.

OTTUMWA — An Iowa Lions Foundation fundraiser will be much different than in past years; a pair of regional members have agreed to open their private alpaca farm for the event.

Scary things and not-so-scary things await visitors to southeast Iowa this weekend.

EDDYVILLE — The season for marching band competition is over in Iowa for this year. A local success story has not disappointed the hometown crowd.

On Monday evening, law enforcement asked for the public’s help in identifying two people involved in a theft from a Moravia church. Within an hour, the individuals were identified and soon after were arrested.

FAIRFIELD — After at least 10 years absence from the Milestones board, Jefferson County attended a meeting and concluded that funding the organization may not be in the county’s best interest.

EDDYVILLE — For a small school, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont has a pretty impressive play cast, said Director Troy Schutt Saturday.

OTTUMWA — Allowing a 15-year-old to navigate the world of business might seem controversial; there are some real slime balls out there. At least there will be by the time slime entrepreneur Emily Williams has passed through town.

Residents of southeast Iowa who love Halloween will have plenty to keep them busy this weekend, but not-so-spooky recreation is planned as well.

OTTUMWA — Iowa has one of the highest rates of voter registration and voter turnout in the nation, said Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, so it needs the best security of any state.

OTTUMWA — Best-selling Ottumwa author Leigh Michaels will discuss her new history book, “Movers and Shakers,” at the railroad clubhouse at Wapello County Historical Society today at 5:30 p.m.