~a column by Colleen O’Brien The January National Geographic has arrived and I am happy about this, as usual. When I see it in the mailbox, I get a tiny frisson of anticipation — these folks not only know how to travel the world, they know how to intrigue us with their tales and share photos with us that knock…
Read MoreDay: January 7, 2015
Greene County Medical Center has a New Year’s birth
Megan Vaughan and Haitham Aly are the proud parents of young Tarek Aly, born Thursday, Jan. 1, at 11:47 am. The last time a baby born at Greene County Medical Center on New Year’s Day was in 2007, according to community relations director Carla Offenburger. Vaughan and her husband Aly were given $50 in Chamber bucks in honor of Tarek’s…
Read MoreJanuary is Mentoring Month in Greene County
Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 5 meeting declared January 2015 Mentoring Month in Greene County to coincide with statewide and nationwide efforts during the 14th annual National Mentoring Month campaign. The proclamation recognizes the fact that quality mentoring programs in our county connect mentors to young people and cultivate relationships that provide crucial support and guidance as these young…
Read MoreScranton Community Center tells gym nights
There will be many opportunities for active play and camaraderie this month at the Scranton Community Center gymnasium. The gym will be open for dodge ball Saturdays, Jan. 10 and Jan. 24 from 6 to 8 pm. Kick ball will be the game Fridays Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 from 6 to 8 pm. Sundays, Jan. 11, Jan. 18 and…
Read MoreCity to retain management of Community Golf Course
In the cold of winter the Jefferson city council is planning for spring. Council members Gary Von Ahsen and Larry Teeples, along with city administrator Mike Palmer, comprise a committee that has developed a new management plan for the city-owned Jefferson Community Golf Course. Approval of a rate schedule for 2015 memberships to the Jefferson Community Golf Course is on…
Read MoreSherry Bates: Someone You Should Know
New appointee to Iowa Board of Regents, retired social worker An occasional series of people working for the betterment of Greene County ~by Lora Koch,The Scranton Journal You may be familiar with Sherry Bates through her many years of service as a social worker in Greene County through the Department of Human Services and Greene County Medical Center. Or, through her…
Read MoreDecember weather summary: warmer and drier than normal
December was a little warmer and a lot drier than normal, according to data compiled by volunteer weather observer John Beltz. High temperature for the month was 56 degrees on Dec. 15. There were four days when the high was 50 degrees or warmer, and 19 days when the high temperature was at or above freezing. Average high for the…
Read MoreCounty supervisors organize for 2015
The Greene County board of supervisors re-elected John Muir and Guy Richardson to serve as chairman and vice chair in 2015. The board met Friday, Jan. 2, to handle organizational business to begin the new calendar year. Prior to the call to order, Judge Bill Ostlund (left) administered the oath of office to county officials elected in November and starting…
Read MoreGreene County sees increased influenza activity
Surveillance by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Greene County public health and testing by the State Hygienic Laboratory indicate flu activity is increasing. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. In the last reporting week, the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network indicated 130 influenza-related hospitalizations statewide, mostly among those aged 64 or older.…
Read MoreA Welcome Center and the future of tourism topic at council meeting
Chamber again seeks okay to use hotel/motel tax for loan payments Greene County Chamber president Ben Yoder and members of the Chamber board of directors will be at the Jefferson city council meeting Jan. 13 to ask again for support for the Welcome Center on the southeast corner of the courthouse square, surrounded by the Thomas Jefferson Gardens. Yoder met…
Read MoreMcFarland Clinic Jefferson adds provider
McFarland Clinic announced this week that Angela Nelson, PA-C has joined the McFarland Clinic Jefferson family medicine practice. Nelson is a native of Adel. She earned a bachelor of arts in biology at Simpson College and completed her master’s of physicians assistant studies at Des Moines University.
Read MoreCommunity Foundation grant apps available
Workshop slated for Jan. 13; applications due Feb. 12 Grant applications for the Greene County Community Foundation’s 2015 grant cycle are now available online at by clicking here, or at the ISU Greene County Extension office in Jefferson. They will also be available at the ISU extension office. Completed applications will be due at the ISU Greene County Extension office by…
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