Purpose of an incentive to lure business part of the question The role of tax incentives when no coaxing is needed to secure a project is a question up for discussion by the Jefferson city council following a presentation Tuesday evening by Jeremy Griesbach, representing BriMark Builders and Cobblestone Inns, and Wild Rose president Tom Timmons. Griesbach was at the council…
Read MoreDay: August 27, 2014
Communion
~a column about Jefferson by Colleen O’Brien In an informal survey of Greene County Farmers Market patrons as to why they come uptown to the market on Tuesdays, I discovered that the attractions and charms break down like this: about three-quarters of the folks come for the produce, about an eighth for the supper and about an eighth for the…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Aug. 22
In Greene County district court John Edward Abernathy, 48, of Scranton was sentenced Aug. 21 after changing his plea to guilty in April to a charge of arson-second degree. He was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for three years. The minimum fine was suspended, but he must pay $141,902.99 restitution to State Farm Insurance and $241.50 court…
Read MoreBid awarded, work on water/sewer projects to start soon
The Jefferson city council at its Aug. 26 meeting accepted a bid of $450,670 from J & K Contracting of Ames for water/sewer work on three projects, including extending water and sewer lines to the Wild Rose Jefferson site and on N. Mulberry north of Highway 30, as well as relocating a water line on Wall St.
Read MoreGreene County board OKs changes to eligibility policy
Also listens to transportation issues The Greene County board of education at its regular meeting Aug. 20 approved the first reading of a revised policy on student eligibility for extracurricular activities. The revisions were drafted by board members Teresa Hagen, Mark Peters and Sam Harding, along with activities director Dean Lansman an superintendent Tim Christensen. The new policy allows students…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Aug. 22
In Greene County magistrate court judgments were entered in two cases involving Christina Ellen Chapman of Jefferson. On Aug. 13, she was fined $100 with a $35 surcharge on a charge of assault-simple. Judgments were entered Aug. 20 in a case in which Chapman was charged with public intoxication and interference with official acts. On the public intoxication charge, she…
Read MoreCounty 4-H members earn ribbons at State Fair
Greene County 4-H members earned several awards for their efforts in several project areas at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Each year, 4-H members show their growth in goals they set for specific project areas through exhibiting at the Greene County Fair and Iowa State Fair. Exhibitors in non-animal project areas are chosen at the county level to advance to…
Read MoreVFW seeking funding for replacement roof
VFW Post 9599 has had a challenging year. After raising $15,000 in donations for paint, new flooring, kitchen appliances, fixtures and repair to the roof, members have now determined the building needs a new rubber roof. Cost of that is estimated at $11,900. The post closed the building last winter due to health concerns created by black mold. Without a…
Read MoreCounty youngsters show in State Fair 4-H livestock shows
Several Greene County 4-H members showed livestock and other animals during the first and second week of the Iowa State Fair. While exhibitors in non-animal project areas are chosen at the county level to advance to the State Fair, all 4-H animal shows are open to all 4-H members wishing to exhibit. Noelle Gray is pictured with her dog Daisy…
Read MoreA facilities project back on the table for the Greene Co school board
If the early bird gets the worm Shive-Hattery will get the nod to do design work on an eventual new school building in Jefferson. Shive-Hattery architect Mark Allen did a presentation for the Greene County school board at its Aug. 20 meeting, highlighting the services the firm offers, as well as some of its successes. Shive-Hattery is familiar to the…
Read MoreCollection nets more than a ton of hazardous materials
Jefferson city clerk Diane Kennedy reported to the city council that 58 residents dropped off a total of 2,519 pounds of hazardous material during the Aug. 16 collection at the Greene County Fairgrounds. That averaged to 43.42 pounds per vehicle. The Metro Park West Commission provided the following weights per category: lead-acid batteries, 495 lbs; oil based paint, 409; used…
Read MorePinet St crossing to be closed permanently Sept. 5
The Jefferson city council entered into an agreement April 29 with Union Pacific railroad to close the Pinet St. railroad crossing in Jefferson. That closure will go into effect on Friday, Sept. 5. The city will erect permanent barricades on both sides of the railroad crossing which will be compliant with current traffic standards. Once the city has closed the…
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