Eric Monaghan

Students have been building the house since August, and the program's instructor says they're on track to finish by the end of June.

The City Council approved a new maximum property tax rate that's a dollar less than last fiscal year.

The fire department's staff is increasing, getting closer to levels before the staffing cut. Fire Chief Tony Miller is hoping to get every more through a federal grant.

Local schools cancel classes and vaccine rates drop as COVID-19 cases in Wapello County reach an all-time high.

The City Council has approved $750,000 for tennis courts improvements at the Staggs and Bridge View courts. The district has pledged to match, but there is still $600,000 to be raised.

With several arguments on both sides of the issue, the public came before the City Council to give their opinions on what the City should do, or not do, with the pitbull ban.

Another investment has come in for the sports complex, but more money will still need to be raised, notably through public donations.

A 50,000 square foot indoor sports complex is planned to come to Ottumwa. The nonprofit behind the complex is asking for community donations to complete funding.

Kirksville Police say Anquan “AJ” Glover, the man suspected of shooting four people in Kirksville, has been arrested. He and another suspect face 14 felony charges for the December shooting.

After the demolition of the historic Wesley United Methodist Church, the Historic Preservation Commission is looking at ways to encourage historic property owners to retain and revitalize their buildings.

City leaders will look at changing language in the City Code to lift a ban on pitbulls in Ottumwa.

Douglas Spurgeon is pleading not guilty to all three charges placed against him. He accused of murdering Gerald Sapp on November 11th.

In the last council meeting of the year, City Staff got notes from the outgoing council on how to spend American Rescue Plan dollars.

The Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation brought in community members for a brainstorming workshop to find solutions to Ottumwa's housing shortage.

In the wake of the storms Wednesday night, Wapello County residents are working to cleanup and repair the damage.

With just under 41,000 call for service this year, the police department is on track to see a similar amount of calls as last year.

Halfway through the academic year, schools struggle to staff teachers. For rural schools, using their limited resources to cover positions can be challenging.

Three workforce apartment complexes will come to Bonita Avenue with the council's approval. Also on the agenda: new firefighter staff and appointing a seat on the council.

Heads of local law enforcement are excited for the new dispatch system, calling it a gamechanger for efficient communication between departments.

The City Council will vote on the agreement Tuesday. It would net Huegerich Construction a 50% property tax rebate for 20 years.

After a year and a half of greatly increased overtime and firefighters with burn out, the Ottumwa City Council is discussing bringing back three firefighters to offset costs and work strain.

The money will go to a shared dispatch system between the police and sheriff departments, as well as EMS, EMA, and Fire.

Construction crews began demolition Tuesday night, with the lot expected to be cleared by December 16.

The Iowa Department of Education's Director toured Ottumwa Schools' new Career Campus. She praised the work of the district in creating a place for high schoolers to enroll in CTE courses: "It’s making the most of the spaces you have."

The fire started on 180th Avenue, west of Ottumwa. There has been no word on the cause of the fire.

For this year's Small Business Saturday, Main Street Ottumwa will push shoppers to several stores with randomly designated snowballs leading to deals and free prizes.

The Ottumwa School District will be joining 10 other Iowa high schools in the Iowa Alliance Conference.

The Ottumwa City Council looked at a new agreement for Bonita Avenue development that would cut the 20-year property tax rebate in half - from 100% to 50%. They will hear from the public on December 7th at 5:30 p.m. Plus other highlights from Tuesday night's meeting.

Douglas Spurgeon, the man charged with the murder of Gerald Sapp, will appear in court on November 19th.

With the infrastructure bill signed, KYOU spoke to Ottumwa's City Administrator, who says there's a ton the City could do with those funds - even if he doesn't know how much they'll be getting yet.

KYOU's main transmitter is at reduced power due to technical difficulties. We are working to repair the problem as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Main Street Ottumwa's Executive Director says the new streetscape has "absolutely" helped. But there's still more work to be done - namely filling in vacant buildings with businesses.

Police officers arrived at the scene and found a male victim with multiple stab wounds.

Ottumwa's Mayor declared November 10 as "Esports History Day", 40 years after the founding of Twin Galaxies, the first esports organization. The event also unveiled a new bronze plaque commemorating a LIFE magazine photograph from 1983.

With several public offices void of candidates in the City / School election, a look at the strategies used to fill those offices.

Ottumwa Council Member Bob Meyers will resign on December 31st. He's served on the council since January 2020.

The Fairfield community remembers Nohema Graber at a candlelight vigil Friday night. Graber's body was found Wednesday night in a Fairfield park.

Ottumwa's City Council voted down the TIF district proposal where a developer would receive a property tax rebate for 20 years. Over 700 people signed a petition opposing establishing a TIF district, saying it negatively affects all of Ottumwa.

Indian Hills' President reacts to 60% of voters approving a bond referendum. The money will be used for several projects on the Ottumwa and Centerville Campus, which the president says is a need.

Rick Johnson has won the election for Ottumwa's Mayor. Sandra Pope, Doug McAntire, and Cara Galloway will serve on the Ottumwa City Council.

Several mayor, council, and school board seats are on Tuesday's ballot for Wapello County, along with a $28 million public measure for Indian Hills Community College.

The corporation has pledged $500,000 to help fund Indian Hills with their proposed improvements for the campus.

Tom Lazio looks back over his eight years as Mayor of Ottumwa as his tenure comes to a close.

With voting laws signed by the Governor in March, deadlines and timelines for absentee ballots have been shortened. KYOU spoke to the Wapello County Auditor to get a feel for the new changes.

With the general election a week away, two candidates are making a run for mayor. KYOU spoke with both men about their platforms and stances on various issues around Ottumwa.

After months of the college's president talking to the public, and getting the price tag as low as possible, Indian Hills' $28 million bond referendum is only weeks away from going to the voters. It will take 60% of voters in 10 counties to pass the public measure.

Heads of law enforcement brought a presentation to City and County leaders on a proposed CAD system. They're not asking for money right now, just support.

Generally coming out against creating TIF districts, the Board will send a letter to the City of Ottumwa regarding the development proposed Bonita Avenue workforce housing.

Substitute shortages are forcing school districts to come up with workarounds to fill absent teacher and staff positions.

UFCW 230 has donated $5,000 to UAW Local 74 through Fareway to use for strike needs.