The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Sunday it has been notified of 263 additional positive cases of COVID19 to a total of 17,213 positive cases in the state. There have been an additional 2,8941 negative cases for a total of 110,358 negative cases to date. The positivity rate for this report is 8.4 percent. Continue reading IDPH tells COVID-19 numbers →

State’s coronavirus website undergoing planned maintenance 

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported Saturday it has been notified of 419 additional positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 16,767 positive cases. There have been additional 4,336 negative tests for a total of 106,223 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs. The positivity rate for this report is 8.8 percent. Continue reading Additional COVID cases, deaths confirmed →

The Greene County Historical Museum in Jefferson will remain closed at least through the month of June, Historical Society president David John announced on Thursday.

The governor of Iowa has authorized the re-opening of museums beginning on Friday, May 22. Museums have been among the public facilities that have been closed since mid-March to try to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Continue reading Local museum to remain closed →

The criteria for COVID-19 testing as part of the Test Iowa initiative will be expanded as of Thursday evening.

Gov Kim Reynolds announced at her daily press briefing that anyone who thinks they should be tested will be able to schedule an appointment. Until now, Test Iowa test sites have been available only to Iowans with symptoms, those who have been exposed to COVID-19, and essential workers. Continue reading Test Iowa now open to all →

Courthouse reopening tentatively set for June 3

~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline

The engaging nature of videoconference meetings, as seen at the meeting of the Greene County board of supervisors on May 11, prompted public inquiry of the board this past week into whether video Zoom meetings could be a standard option and could be  recorded.

At the regular board meeting on May 18, Information Technology director Michelle Fields answered questions she had received from the public. Fields said meetings have not been recorded thus far and the board itself is not currently set up for video meetings. Continue reading Supes discuss video meetings, CAFO permit process →

The Greene County veterans affairs office and American Legion Post #11 will dedicate two photos and biographies honoring our fallen heroes Friday, May 22, at 4 pm in the south lobby of the courthouse.

The event was intended to be open to the public. Unfortunately, due to the current closure of the courthouse and ongoing health concerns, attendance will be family, media and a few officials. The public is encouraged to visit the courthouse once it reopens to view the Remembering Our Fallen Heroes display. Continue reading ‘Remembering Our Fallen Heroes’ display to be dedicated Friday →

It’s been a long standing tradition in virtually every community to hold a Memorial Day service on Monday. Due to COVID-19 gathering regulations, most will not be held.

A service with in-vehicle attendance will be held at the Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan Monday at 9:30 am. Continue reading Memorial Day services limited →

The primary election on Tuesday, June 2, is rapidly approaching.

Greene County auditor Jane Heun and Secretary of State Paul Pate encourage voters to cast absentee ballots by mail. Forms were mailed recently which included pre-paid postage for returning them to the Greene County auditor’s office. The forms can also be downloaded directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Continue reading Deadline Friday for mail-in primary ballot requests →

There were 4.3 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 17,  according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Windy days made spraying weeds difficult, but planting continued prior to most of Iowa receiving rain in the latter half of the week.
Continue reading Planting well ahead of average year, welcome rainfall received →

The first drive-through public distribution of face masks in the COVER Greene County mask initiative will be held Thursday, May 21, from 5 to 6:30 pm in the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot, 801 W. Lincoln Way, in Jefferson. There is no charge for the masks.

More than 250 face masks are available to hand out on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one mask will be given for each family member. Persons should plan to remain in their vehicles. Continue reading COVER Greene County slates mask distribution →

The Greene County public health department and Greene County attorney Thomas Laehn will review the most recent proclamations of Gov Kim Reynolds regarding COVID-19 at a Zoom event hosted by Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s economic vitality team. Each will provide the most recent recommendations and an overview of the remaining restrictions on economic activity in the state. Continue reading Main Street plans Zoom meeting on reopening business in the pandemic →

The Greene County Fair has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair board and Greene County Extension announced Monday that virtually all elements of the fair will be postponed. The exception is the youth exhibits.

The fair board press release follows:

The Greene County Fair board and Greene County Extension have announced several changes to the upcoming 2020 Greene County Fair. After much discussion, due to the many unknowns concerning public safety and gatherings, a majority of our annual events will be postponed. This includes all grandstand, grounds entertainment, commercial exhibits, open class exhibits, and many other events with public gatherings. Continue reading County Fair is canceled; stay tuned for youth exhibit info →