Patti Naylor, an organic farmer from Churdan, will participate in the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) regional consultation for North America on the Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition taking place at the University of Maryland and hosted by the USDA Nov. 14-15.

“The number of people around the world, including in the United States, who suffer from malnutrition – which can mean not enough food as well as too much unhealthy food – is staggering. We must focus on human rights, food sovereignty, and agroecology as the clear path to addressing this critical issue,” Naylor stated. Continue reading Naylor to speak at UN committee meeting on food security →

Iowa farmers continued to deal with challenging field conditions as the first accumulating snowfall of the year fell across parts of the state during the week ending Nov. 3, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Fieldwork activities included harvesting soybeans and corn for grain, spreading manure, applying anhydrous, baling corn stalks and fall tillage. Continue reading Challenges continue for Iowa farmers →

Grand Junction fire chief Thomas Launderville was arrested early Saturday morning after driving the Grand Junction fire and rescue ambulance while intoxicated.

According to information from the Jefferson police department, Grand Junction fire and rescue was dispatched on a medical call at 11:31 pm Friday to a residence in Grand Junction. Continue reading GJ fire chief charged with driving ambulance while intoxicated →

The Scranton Journal provided questionnaires to the city and school candidates where there are contests. Here are the responses received:

Greene County board of education

Name, age, address:
Steve Fisher, 63, 1462 X Avenue, Grand Junction
Randy Lebeck, 55, 1597 U Avenue, Grand Junction
John McConnell: No response received. Continue reading School board, city candidates respond to questionnaires →

Medicare for All could have negative impact on rural hospitals

Medicare for All, as proposed by some Democrats running for the presidential nomination, would be a “train wreck” for Greene County Medical Center and could result in the medical center being “only a shell” of the facility it is now.

That’s what Carl Behne, CEO of Greene County Medical Center, told about two dozen people who attended a presentation hosted by the Thomas Jefferson Gardens board Oct. 28. Behne is also senior vice president of UnityPoint Health and chair of the UnityPoint Health Community Network that includes 23 rural hospitals. He is actively involved in a coalition of UnityPoint Health, the Mercy and Genesis Health System, and the Iowa Hospital Association working toward new federal legislation to bolster the long-term viability of rural healthcare. Continue reading Behne discusses healthcare funding proposals →

Local candidates who spoke at a forum hosted by the Rotary Club of Jefferson Tuesday agreed on many things, particularly in their optimism about Jefferson’s future. More than 50 persons attended the forum, which was held at Greene County elementary and moderated by Rotarian Rick Morain. Continue reading Candidate forum covers many issues →

~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline

The Greene County board of supervisors presented certificates of valor to deputy Shane Allen and Churdan firefighter Nate Byerly at the regular meeting on Oct 28.

Board chair John Muir and sheriff Jack Williams recognized Allen and Byerly for rescuing a motorist whose vehicle had gone off the road into swollen Buttrick Creek on Oct 10. The two swam to the vehicle and pulled the driver from the swirling, cold water, saving her life at significant risk to themselves.

Continue reading Allen, Byerly honored for valor →

Polls open 7 am – 8 pm in seven precincts

~courtesy of The Scranton Journal

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to cast ballots in the City and School elections. The polls will be open  from 7 am until 8 pm in seven locations around the county.

Absentee ballots can be voted at the Greene County auditor’s office now during regular office hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday through Monday, Nov. 4. Continue reading City, school election Tuesday →

Save the date – December 8

At some point in childhood, many kids don a blue shawl or fake beard and act out the nativity scene in front of doting parents and grandparents. Whether performed by children, set up as little figurines in a home or installed as a life-size tableau in front of a church, these scenes are a staple of the Christmas holidays. Continue reading Nativity displays needed for upcoming festival →

Harvest progressed across Iowa as farmers had 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 27, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included harvesting soybeans and corn for grain, spreading manure, applying anhydrous and baling corn stalks. Continue reading Corn harvest lagging, bean harvest at last year’s pace →

The Rotary Club of Jefferson will host a public forum Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Greene County elementary cafeteria for candidates in the Nov. 5 school and city election.

Greene County school board candidates Randy Lebeck, Steve Fisher and John McConnell, Jefferson city council candidates Sean Sebourn, Matt Wetrich and David Sloan, and Jefferson mayor candidates Matt Gordon and Craig Berry all plan to attend. Rick Morain will serve as moderator. Continue reading Rotary to host candidate forum Oct. 29 →

~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline

The Jefferson city council met Tuesday, Oct 22, and heard updates on automated trash pick-up, recycling, and the animal shelter.

Public works director Dave Morlan reported the automated trash pick-up system has proven to be more efficient according to time and tonnage studies, so Wednesday and Thursday routes are being combined starting Nov 1. The current Thursday route will be picked up on Wednesdays. Continue reading Jeff council hears updates on many things →