Estimated $21 million in property tax revenue MidAmerican Energy Company officials that during the 2017 growing season, they’re growing wind turbines in eastern Greene County. The Beaver Creek Windpark will include 85 wind turbines, nearly evenly split between Greene and Boone Counties. The project has already been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board.
Read MoreDay: August 24, 2016
Special election to fill Jefferson council vacancy
Nominating petitions due Aug. 31 The Nov. 8 general election will include filling the Jefferson city council seat vacated by Lisa Jaskey. The city council decided Tuesday not to appoint someone to fill the vacancy but to hold a special election. City attorney Bob Schwarzkopf told the council that scheduling a special election is a little more difficult during an…
Read MoreWater quality and political action part of CAFO hearings
Supervisors urged to take leadership role in changing legislation The board room at the Greene County courthouse was again the setting for a debate about confined animal feeding operations Monday morning as public hearings were held on CAFOs for two Greene County farmers. In recent months, expansions or new sites done by local persons drew little attention. That wasn’t the…
Read MoreContested race for Greene County school board
(Edited Aug. 24 at 2:30 pm) Ballots now available The special school election slated for Sept. 13 in the Greene County school district will include not only a $19.4 million bond issue, but also a contest for a position on the school board. Two candidates are vying to complete the term of Susan Burkett who resigned in January. Mike Dennhardt…
Read MoreHousing study shows need for more housing, not less expensive housing
Greene County needs more housing options for families, but the options don’t need to be targeted toward those with lower incomes. Those are among the conclusions drawn from a workforce housing study conducted in June.
Read MoreSchool board asked to add transportation for athletes
The Greene County Schools board of education at its regular meeting Aug. 17 was asked to consider providing transportation for students swimming on the Boone swim team through an athletic sharing agreement.
Read MoreJefferson one step closer to all at-large council
The person elected Nov. 8 to finish the term of Lisa Jaskey will likely be the last Jefferson council person elected from a ward. The city council at its regular meeting Aug. 23 directed city attorney Bob Schwarzkopf and the city staff to draft the necessary ordinance to eliminate the current three council wards and shift to a council elected totally…
Read MoreChristensen’s answers to bond issue questions
The volunteer Pay It Forward committee fielded many questions during a recent series of informational meetings about the Greene County Schools’ proposed $19.4 million bond issue. Committee spokespersons answered most questions and said they would forward questions to school superintendent Tim Christensen. Following are the questions and Christensen’s responses:
Read MoreJack Williams now Jefferson fire chief
The Jefferson city council by a 4-1 vote approved appointing Jack Williams as fire chief. The position has been vacant since the death of fire chief Randy Love last month. Williams has been captain of the volunteer fire department for six years. He is chief deputy sheriff and is the only candidate for county sheriff on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Read MoreCorn, soybeans ahead of normal pace
Continued precipitation, heavy in some areas of the state, resulted in 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Aug. 21, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation and cooler nights benefitted grain and pod fill. Activities for the week included harvesting oats and cutting hay when ground conditions were dry enough.
Read MoreA demanding voter speaks up. Again.
~a column by ColleenO’Brien I just read one more pundit telling me, voter, that until I demand that my representatives work for me and that they are not above the law, nothing will get done. Since when is it not just Congress’s (or our state legislatures’, county supes’, city councils’) job to work for me and obey the law?
Read MoreScranton council sets hearing on comprehensive plan
~courtesy of The Scranton Journal The Scranton city council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6 pm on the zoning commission’s recommendation on the adoption of the proposed comprehensive plan. The hearing was set at the Aug. 9 meeting of the council.
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