What squirrels have to do with writing

~a column by Colleen O’Brien The hard work of writing (writers are always complaining about it) is this: it’s hard to pull your gaze away from the squirrel on the telephone wire outside the window. This does not endear complaining writers to physically hard-working folks at all, but our whiney ways are all a part of the profession. A writer…

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Supervisors okay New Fashion Pork expansion

It took the Greene County board of supervisors 16 minutes Monday morning to vote to recommend to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources the approval of a construction permit for a 1,300-head expansion of an existing CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) in Cedar Township. The expansion will make total capacity at the site 4,600-head.

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Town hall meeting provides updates on many projects

A town hall meeting Monday night at the Greene County Community Center was attended by about 60 area residents ready to hear “what’s next” for the county. The meeting was hosted by Greene County Development Corporation. GDCD executive director Ken Paxton was emcee. The first town hall meeting was held last August. Paxton explained, “I believe that an informed community…

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Empty Buildings Tour attracts potential developers

The Jefferson Matters: Main Street board and Greene County Development Corporation is calling its first Empty Buildings Tour, held last Thursday and Saturday, a success. Jefferson Matters board president Jamie Daubendiek reported at the open town hall meeting Monday evening that 73 people registered for the tour of seven vacant buildings in the Jefferson downtown district. “All in all, it…

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Welcome Center discussed at town hall meeting

An update on the Welcome Center in downtown Jefferson was provided by Greene County Chamber president Omega Sang at the town hall meeting Monday evening. In her prepared talk, Sang said the purpose of the Welcome Center is to provide a centralized point to showcase Greene County’s assets to visitors, and “a hub for active tourism promotion.” Marketing activities would…

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Entertainment told for Saturday’s Relay for Life

The Relay for Life of Greene County this Saturday will feature a community barbecue, served from 11 am to 1:30 pm, with the silent auction and entertainment throughout. Many of the silent auctions items are posted on the Relay’s Facebook page. The entertainment begins with dancers from Prairie Blue Creative Arts at 11 am. The Town and Country Band will play…

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Iowa grocers award grant to GJ Community Center

Diane Wise and the fundraising committee for the new Grand Junction Community Center have been credited for leaving no stones unturned in their search for funding for the $1.1 million project. Wise has also turned over plastic grocery bags. The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) announced today, Earth Day, that the Grand Junction Community Center is one of 22 projects…

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Raney named as Jefferson Matters program director

The Jefferson Matters: Main Street board announced earlier this week that Peg Raney had been hired as program director. She will assume the post the week of May 5. “We are thrilled to have Peg join our Main Street team,” Jefferson Matters president Jamie Daubendiek said. “Her extensive involvement in community-wide events will be very valuable in helping our Main…

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Carnival returning to Bell Tower Festival

Advance tickets available at reduced price The fun of carnival rides will return to the Bell Tower Festival this year, with discount pricing available now through June 11. The Greene County Chamber has contracted Amusement Associates to bring a dozen mechanical rides and inflatables for Bell Tower Big Top June 12-13. “This company has worked for Ogden Fun Days for…

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Pedersen tells plans for Bell Tower Festival

Angie Pedersen, Bell Tower Festival coordinator for the Greene County Chamber, drew enthusiastic applause after she outlined plans for the Bell Tower Big Top at the town hall meeting at the Greene County Community Center Monday evening. Pedersen reported that carnival rides will once again be part of the festival. Amusement Associates, which has for several years provided rides and…

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