Housing is the Jefferson city council’s top priority for the next budget year, with entries to the city and obtaining grants close behind.

The council set priorities at a workshop following its regular meeting Tuesday. Each year for the past 10 years council members and the mayor have individually ranked a long list of projects on a scale of 1-3, with 1 being a high priority. The ranks are added for a total score, with a score of 6 being the highest priority. Continue reading Jeff council sets priorities for fiscal year 2018 →

Despite several inches of rain last week, Greene County remains under a burn ban until further notice.

Greene County sheriff and Jefferson fire chief Jack Williams reminded the county supervisors Monday that a burn ban is a decision made by the fire chiefs in the county. Continue reading Burn ban still in effect despite rain →

One hundred years ago Greene County residents were waiting eagerly for the dedication of their new courthouse on Oct. 27.

The 100th anniversary of the courthouse dedication will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 27, starting with Java & Juice from 9:30 to 10 am. Continue reading Plans told for courthouse centennial Oct. 27 →

The Jefferson city council approved disbursements totaling $20,258 in hotel/motel tax funds at its regular meeting Oct. 10. Continue reading Jeff council okays tourism grants →

The next discussion meeting on the Connecting Parks and Schools plan in Jefferson is slated for Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 pm at the Greene County Community Center. Continue reading Connecting trails meeting is Oct. 26 →

The heavy rain last weekend, reported to be as much as 3-1/2 inches in some rain gauges, created issues for county engineer Wade Weiss.

He sent three maintainers out late Saturday afternoon to work on the “unofficial” detours – 215th St and 240th St – around the Highway 30 closure for the new overpass at Grand Junction. The roads were treated heavily during the summer to control dust. “The chloride is great for dust control, but in slick conditions – rain and snow and ice – it’s a detriment, and it causes more problems,” Weiss told the supervisors Monday. Continue reading Rain means more work for secondary roads, county engineer →

Rain throughout most of the week prevented Iowa farmers from spending much time in their fields during the week ending Oct. 8, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were only 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork, the lowest this season since the last week in May. West central Iowa farmers had just 1.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included harvesting corn for grain and soybeans, hauling and drying grain, seeding cover crops, and applying manure. Continue reading Rainy weather slows progress on harvest →

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 city elections are now available in the Greene County auditor’s office. Persons can vote in the auditor’s office during regular business hours, 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Absentee voting will end Nov. 7 at 11 am. Continue reading Absentee voting open now for city elections →

The driver’s license station in the county treasurer’s office will be closed Monday, Oct. 9. It will also be closed Thursday, Oct. 12, for a state-wide driver’s license station meeting.

Most Greene County residents welcome the 41 wind turbines being erected by MidAmerican Energy north of Grand Junction and see them as progress for the county.

All things come at a cost, and county engineer Wade Weiss delivered news of the cost to the county supervisors at their Oct. 2 meeting. The cost isn’t financial, but it’s the condition of county roads. “We look at these things and see benefits, but it comes at a cost. Sometimes those costs are hidden,” Weiss told GreeneCountyNewsOnline. Continue reading Poorer roads are down side of wind turbines →

A preliminary plan to connect the schools, parks and the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Jefferson was the topic of a meeting Tuesday with Zoey Mauck, an architecture design student at Iowa State University, and about 16 people representing various community groups.

Mauk’s plan, when it’s completed, will be available to use in future grant applications, according to Jefferson park and recreation director Vicky Lautner. At this time, there is no definite plan for implementation. Continue reading Plan in progress for more bike/walking trails in Jefferson →

Jefferson was the recipient of a $74,500 Challenge Grant offered by Main Street Iowa in 2016 for the renovation of the Kendall building at 111 E. Lincoln Way. This is a reimbursement of funds grant and the first check for $44,500 arrived after the first claim was submitted. Continue reading First funds received for Sensibly Chic →