There will be no pet chickens in Jefferson after the city council failed to accept the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission to amend the zoning code to allow the board of adjustment to allow exceptions to the ban on livestock. At the council’s Aug. 12 meeting, council member Lisa Jaskey made a motion to amend Section 165.83 of…
Read MoreDay: August 13, 2014
Supervisors OK county funding for JPD in-car computer
The Greene County board of supervisors on Monday agreed to fund $5,000 toward an in-car laptop computer for the Jefferson police department. The funds will come from the county’s Louis Dreyfus funds. JPD chief Dave Morlan made his request for funding a week earlier. The in-car computer puts all information available on the World Wide Web, including all state vehicle…
Read MoreHazardous waste collection Saturday
The annual hazardous waste collection for Jefferson residents is this Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 to 11 am at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Metro Waste Authority of Des Moines will host the event. Jefferson residents can drop off hazardous waste including compact fluorescent light bulbs, gasoline/kerosene, oil and lead-based paint, lead acids/batteries, pesticides, metal polishes/rust removers, solvents, motor oil filters,…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Aug. 8
In Greene County district court Michael Joseph Hofbauer, 31, of Coon Rapids was sentenced Aug. 8 after changing his plea to guilty to a charge of operating while intoxicated (OWI)-first offense and serious injury by motor vehicle by driving in a reckless manner. He was sentenced to five years in prison. The prison term was suspended and he was placed…
Read MoreMom, the flag, apple pie and frightened kids
~a column by Colleen O’Brien It makes me a little sick to my stomach when I read about Americans protesting admitting refugee kids from Central America storming our borders in order to. . . ? Escape lives of starvation, torment and death? Gee. How dare they. It makes me ashamed to hear the reasons some folks give who don’t want…
Read MoreTown hall meeting Monday to address challenges of growth
All county residents are encouraged to attend a town hall meeting next Monday, Aug. 18, to hear first hand of the growth and its accompanying challenges anticipated in Greene County in the next few years. The meeting will start at 6 pm at the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson. Greene County Development Corp (GCDC) executive director Ken Paxton hopes…
Read MoreHawn to be honored by 4-H at State Fair
Doug Hawn will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at a ceremony next Sunday, Aug. 17, at the 4-H exhibit building on the State Fairgrounds. Hawn has served as Greene County Fair board secretary for 32 years. A lifelong 4-H member, he spends hundreds of hours each year in both physical labor and administrative tasks to…
Read MoreNew school year starts Wednesday, Aug. 20
Summer vacation comes to an end next Wednesday for students all over Greene County. Greene County elementary students will see more changes than the older students. All students in grades K-3 will attend school at the elementary on E. Russell St in Jefferson, a change in location and routine for students in the former East Greene district. Students in grades…
Read MorePaton-Churdan prepares to launch new school year
Paton-Churdan students will greet new teachers and support staff when the school year begins next Wednesday. Joining the Rocket staff are special education teacher Michelle Paulson, high school music director Kendra Wilke, and third grade teacher and cross-country coach Lauren King. Lindsey Klocke joins the staff as curriculum director. The school also has new support staff: Mitch Lewis, business manager and board secretary; James…
Read MoreCounty funds $15,000 for GJ Community Center
The Greene County board of supervisors at its Aug. 11 meeting approved $15,000 in funding for the new Greene County Community Center, paid at $5,000 a year for three years. The fundraising committee had submitted a request for $25,000 over five years. The money will come from the county’s Dreyfus fund. Diane Wise spoke on behalf of the application, saying…
Read MoreCarlson and others bringing home State Fair ribbons
Marianne Carlson of Jefferson is impressing judges of Iowa State Fair food contests as she does every year. In the first four days of the fair, she grabbed four blue ribbons and a pair of red ribbons. She netted $400 for a church kitchen fund with her first place entry in the Our Iowa Church Cookbook Favorites contest. The money…
Read MoreJeff council seeks broader use of LOSST revenues
The Jefferson city council at its Aug. 12 meeting approved ballot language for a renewal of the current 1-cent local option sales and service tax (LOSST) that would give the council more flexibility in using revenues from the tax. The city currently collects a 1-cent LOSST, with a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2016. The funds can be used only for…
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