Jefferson is among 18 locations for town hall-style meetings at which Iowa Department of Natural Resources local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. Continue reading DNR to hold town hall meeting in Jefferson
Jeff council talks about state cap on property tax levies
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According to Jefferson mayor Craig Berry, gambling revenue is what’s keeping cities financially afloat, and he encouraged council members to lobby State Senator Jerry Behn and State Representative Phil Thompson to increase a state-mandated $8.10 (per thousand of taxable valuation) cap on cities’ general fund levy. Continue reading Jeff council talks about state cap on property tax levies
Main Street looking for entrepreneurs for contest
Entrepreneurs who want to own a business in downtown Jefferson, have plans to expand services or add a new product line, or who want to purchase equipment for their business are encouraged to participate in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business contest. Continue reading Main Street looking for entrepreneurs for contest
Township budget hearings set
Township boards have set public hearings on their Fiscal Year 2020 budgets as follows:
• Jackson – Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 10 am in the county auditor’s office at the courthouse. Clerk Tom Lawton.
• Hardin – Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 10 am in the board room at the courthouse. Clerk Carla Haupert.
Laehn convening grand jury Tuesday

Greene County attorney Thomas Laehn is convening a grand jury Tuesday not because there’s something amiss in the county, but because he can, because he should, and because it hasn’t been done in recent years.
Laehn, who was a university professor before he was a lawyer, often educates the county supervisors on various points of law. Monday’s lesson was on grand juries.
“The people of Greene County are the highest authority in the county. We all work for the people of Greene County,” Laehn said, and explained the grand jury as one way oversight is exercised. By the Code of Iowa, a grand jury should be in existence at all times. Continue reading Laehn convening grand jury Tuesday
County slates hearing on budget amendment
The Greene County supervisors will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the current year budget Monday, Feb. 25, at 9 am.
The budget amendment shows an increase in revenues of more than $1 million, with most of the increase being reimbursement of $958,626 by MidAmerican Energy for repair to roads damaged in the course of wind turbine construction. Continue reading County slates hearing on budget amendment
Deadline for Tower of Fame Award is Feb. 25

Nominations for the 2019 Bell Tower of Fame Award are due by Monday, Feb. 25.
In the past 39 years more than 50 persons have been honored with the award. Bell Tower of Fame Award recipients have all lived in Greene County during their lifetime. Their personal or professional accomplishments internationally, nationally or statewide have brought great pride to Greene County.
Pollster George Gallup and astronaut Loren Shriver were the first recipients of the Bell Tower of Fame Award. The creator of the National Federation of Wildlife’s Ranger Rick magazine, a member of New York City’s Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the creator of the Iowa Hall of Pride and the CEO of the Iowa Lottery are just a few honorees who have called Greene County home. Continue reading Deadline for Tower of Fame Award is Feb. 25
Bardole family applies for CAFO permit
County supervisor Peter Bardole included
In many parts of Iowa county residents know spring is on its way when the county board of supervisors starts receiving applications for permits to construct confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Continue reading Bardole family applies for CAFO permit
Connolly to join medical center clinic

Greene County Medical Center announced Friday that Dr. Laurie Connolly will join its team as a provider for the new Greene County Family Medicine Clinic, effective May 1, 2019.
Dr. Connolly has long been a presence in Jefferson as a popular physician. She came to Jefferson in 2002 and joined the staff at McFarland Clinic, where she worked until 2013. Connolly then did contract work for Acute Care Inc. and Docs Who Care, providing emergency care work at a variety of area hospitals. While with Acute Care, Connolly often worked as one of the medical center’s ER/hospitalist providers. Most recently, Dr. Connolly has been in Fort Dodge as part of the UnityPoint Health Urgent Care Clinic. Continue reading Connolly to join medical center clinic
School year extended due to snow days
Snow days – days when school is closed due to the weather – are now “good news, bad news” days. The good news for teachers and students is they have an unplanned day of leisure. The bad news is they’ll be in school in June, when everything outdoors is calling them.
As of Thursday, the last day of school for students has been moved to Tuesday, June 4, announced school superintendent Tim Christensen. The last day was originally scheduled for May 31. Continue reading School year extended due to snow days
Impact Award forms now at county libraries
Nomination forms are now available at local libraries for the 10th annual Greene County Community Impact Award. The award annually honors an individual or individuals who have made a contribution of time and talents, not only to a specific community, but to the county as a whole. The Impact Award will honor social, educational, or cultural contributions to the Greene County community as opposed to a business operation or work through an official position. Continue reading Impact Award forms now at county libraries
Reminder: Community Foundation grant apps due soon
All Greene County nonprofit groups working to improve the overall wellbeing of county residents are reminded that Thursday, Feb. 14, at 4 pm is the deadline for grant applications to the Greene County Community Foundation for the 2019 grant cycle.
Applications must be submitted at the Journey Financial Office at Home State Bank by the deadline to be considered. Groups using the simplified application for grant requests of $3,000 or less can submit their applications via email to greeneccf [at] gmail [dot] com by the same deadline. Continue reading Reminder: Community Foundation grant apps due soon