Karen Spurgeon

Iowa

Publisher at Bloomfield Democrat

Retired music teacher. Current publisher of The Bloomfield Democrat, Bloomfield, IA

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Articles

Bloomfield Mennonite Church destroyed by fire

1 week ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

The Bloomfield Mennonite Church on Mallard Avenue south of Bloomfield was a total loss following a fire early Sunday morning. Bloomfield Fire Chief Jeff McClure said the Bloomfield, Drakesville, Floris, and Pulaski Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene of the fire at 3:09 a.m. on June 15. “Upon arrival, fire units found the church fully engulfed as well as the basement area (which housed the church’s school),” McClure said.
Complaint filed on rehab of CJ’s Restaurant

1 week ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

Doug Dixon filed a written complaint with the City of Bloomfield Friday regarding alleged unpermitted structural alterations at 107 South Madison (CJ’s Family Restaurant). The complaint was addressed to the Zoning Administrative Official/Public Works Director Rusty Sands with copies sent to City Administrator Tomi Jo Day, City Clerk Kyle McClure, Mayor Chris Miller, and City Attorney Gayla Harrison.
Get ready for fun on Hairy Nation Days

1 week ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

Pickleball tournament added to line-upBloomfield Main Street is getting ready to celebrate summer with its biggest-ever Hairy Nation Days Celebration on June 27. Organizers are emphasizing the importance of pre-registering for the two largest activities of the day — the Hairy Nation 5K and the Hairy Nation Motorcycle Ride. Main Street Director Jen Cutler said last Friday runners are urged to register for the 5K by June 20 to be guaranteed a shirt by the day of the race.
Gingerich family operates goat dairy in Davis County

1 week ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

June is dairy month — a time to celebrate the dairy operations in Davis County. There are at least four goat dairies in the county, and one of them is operated by the Marcus Gingerich family west of Bloomfield. “Our goat dairy is a family-friendly operation,” Gingerich said. “It takes a lot to keep it going.”With 150 Alpine goats to milk morning and evening, one can understand why family is needed to sustain the operation. Milking begins before 5 a.m., and 12 hours later the process is repeated.
Shively, Moore win Look to the Stars 5K

2 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

Overall winners of the Look to the Stars Cancer Foundation’s 5K on June 7 were Sutton Shively with a time of 18:39 and Kierston Moore with a time of 22:02. Both ran in the 11-20 age category.
Wettstein’s appeal denied

2 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

The Court of Appeals of Iowa on May 19, 2025 affirmed the sentence of Matthew Wettstein of Davis County after he appealed the sentence handed down on May 3, 2024. On May 3, 2024 Wettstein was sentenced in District Court to two consecutive terms of incarceration and two concurrent terms of incarceration for a total of 20 years. The sentence was handed down in response to four Class C felony charges for sexual abuse in the third degree between Sept. 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.
Norris wins bid for asphalt overlay of square

2 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

The Bloomfield City Council approved a bid of $738,768.50 Thursday night from Norris Asphalt of Ottumwa for an asphalt overlay of Franklin, Madison, and Jefferson Streets around the square plus one block off. Though Norris was the only company to bid the project, the council was pleased the bid was lower than the engineer’s original estimate of more than $800,000 due to a decrease in the cost of asphalt.
Grassley visits CoilSpot, holds Q & A session

3 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

Senator Chuck Grassley prides himself on visiting each of Iowa’s 99 counties annually. Last Wednesday was Davis County’s turn. Grassley visited CoilSpot, a new Davis County industry located in the former Midwest Stave building in Bloomfield’s Industrial Park, Grassley’s visit was twofold — to learn about one of Davis County’s newest industries and to discuss what is happening in the federal government. Grassley’s visit began with a tour of the CoilSpot plant conducted by President Darin Westhoff.
School board selects Shive-Hattery for HVAC project

3 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

The Davis County School Board Thursday night approved Shive-Hattery, an architectural firm from Des Moines, to install a new HVAC system in the Davis County Elementary and Middle School buildings. In a presentation brought before the board at the beginning of the special meeting, a Shive-Hattery representative said the firm’s approach would be to meet with a user group from Davis County Schools to discuss concerns and preferences.
Tractor, van accident on Highway 2

3 weeks ago | bdemo.com | Karen Spurgeon

A local farmer was transported to Davis County Hospital and a Chrysler Town and Country van, a John Deere tractor, and a hay tedder were all damaged in an accident that occurred on Highway 2 near the Pearl Avenue intersection at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. The van, driven by Tonya Green of Ottumwa, and the tractor, driven by Leonard Robison of Bloomfield, were both westbound on Highway 2.