Attendance was sparse but information was plentiful at an April 3 public meeting regarding the proposed solar energy project at Greene County schools. School superintendent Brett Abbotts used 21 slides to make the case for a $4.3 million solar project. He estimates the project could save the district as much as $237,000 annually, compared to the current cost of electricity…
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Grow Greene County awards nearly $2 million in grants
Funding from gambling proceeds at Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, the local nonprofit corporation that holds the state gaming license in Greene County, distributed almost $2 million worth of grants April 2 at its 9th Annual Awards Night, conducted in person at Wild Rose Jefferson. Grow Greene County board members say it is the highlight…
Read MoreJamie Daubendiek elected president of Iowa Communication Alliance
Jamie Daubendiek of Jefferson Telecom has been elected to serve as board president of the Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA). Daubendiek was announced as the new ICA board president during the ICA annual meeting and Expo held in Des Moines on March 25-27 with more than 1,000 in attendance. During his speech to annual meeting attendees, Daubendiek looked back into the…
Read MoreCounty holds public hearing on property tax levy, hearing on budget is April 22
The Greene County board of supervisors held a public hearing for the FY2025 proposed property tax levy Monday, April 1, at 8:30 am, postponing the regular meeting to 9 am. Technical difficulties prevented Zoom attendees from hearing the proceedings except for the last seven minutes. Board discussion included a letter sent by the State of Iowa to taxpayers explaining county…
Read MoreGet ‘insiders’ look at a local manufacturers/businesses with exclusive tours
Unique behind the scenes tours of several area manufacturers and businesses will be hosted by the Jefferson Matters Economic Vitality team in 2024. The first one of these “After Hours: Insider” events is set for Jefferson’s AAI / Spalding facility on Tuesday, April 30, from 5:30 to 7 pm. AAI / Spalding manufactures basketball goals and gymnastic apparatus which are…
Read MoreAt the museum: Berries, bandages and a Bonnie and Clyde gun battle
~by Denise O’Brien Van for the Greene County Historical Society A berry picking expedition and the discovery of bloody bandages in the woods led to Iowa’s most infamous gun battle, starring Bonnie and Clyde. Rod Stanley of Panora, a retired middle- and high school history teacher, will fill in the details of the tale Sunday, April 14, at 2 pm…
Read MoreJeff council hears insurance info, approves street closures for farmers market
After several meetings that lasted longer than two hours, the Jefferson city council’s March 26 meeting was finished in just more than 30 minutes. Bryan Helmus used the open forum portion of the meeting to compliment council members for their handling of the large numbers of persons who have attended recent meetings to voice their opinions on rezoning a parcel…
Read MoreDeadline extended for Hwy2 25 CHI grant applications
The deadline to apply for a Highway 25 CHI grant has been extended to May 1, 2024. The grant allows residents of Bayard, Bagley, Coon Rapids, Churdan, Scranton and Ralston to apply for a 50 percent exterior project matching grant for up to $1,500 to improve the general attractiveness of their property. The Highway 25 CHI housing grant was started…
Read MoreFirst USDA crop report of 2024 growing season shows improved soil moisture conditions
Much of the state experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain/snow showers which left Iowa farmers with 1.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending March 31, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although minimal fieldwork occurred over the last week, some producers were able to apply anhydrous, manure, and dry fertilizer. Topsoil moisture…
Read MoreCommunity Players present ‘The Nerd’ April 5-7
Comedy comes to the stage at the Greene County High School auditorium this weekend as the Community Players of Greene County present “The Nerd,” by Larry Shue. The cast includes Jeff Hughes, Sarah Stortz, Darren Jackson, Tim Pound, Heather Moody Chloe Powers, and Josh Tuel as The Nerd. The play is co-directed by Stephanie Hall and Josh Tuel. “The Nerd”…
Read MoreJefferson, The Centennial honored by Iowa Tourism Office
The efforts of Jefferson Matters: Main Street, and Why Not Us? and chef Sara Ostrander were recognized by the Iowa Tourism Office at the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conference in Des Moines last week. Jefferson was named the Outstanding Community in the rural division; Cedar Rapids was recognized in the metro division. The Centennial was recognized as the Outstanding Dining Business…
Read MoreGrCo Schools to hold public info meeting on possible solar energy project
Meeting slated for Wednesday, April 3 All Greene County Community School District are encouraged to attend a informational session about using solar power to reduce utility expenses at the district’s three school buildings. The meeting will be held Wednesday, April 3, at 6 pm in the middle school auditorium. School superintendent Brett Abbotts explains in a letter to school district…
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