The days of adventurous teens sneaking into the Jefferson municipal pool for “after hours” swimming are over, after security concerns prompted the Jefferson park and recreation department to Install a video surveillance system. The new system was installed last week and is in operation.
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Charges filed in arson death of former Greene County sixth grader
The man arrested Wednesday for the murder of Melanie Paige Exline, 12, who up until a month before her death was a sixth grader at Greene County Intermediate School, is well known to Greene County law enforcement. Patrick Ryan Thompson, 26, currently of Ames but a former Grand Junction resident, has been charged with two counts of murder- first degree,…
Read MoreBeaver Creek Wind Park ahead of schedule
Delivery of wind turbine components at the Beaver Creek Wind Park in Junction Township is expected to begin the week of Aug. 21. The MidAmerican project has been on schedule since work began in the spring. County zoning coordinator Chuck Wenthold and the county secondary roads department receives weekly updates from MidAmerican. The project is ahead of schedule, Wenthold said.
Read MoreJefferson has a new brand
Jefferson’s new logo was introduced by Jefferson Matters: Main Street program director Peg Raney at the city council meeting Tuesday. The logo was shown as part of a branding/wayfinding proposal developed by RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines. Cost for developing the logo and writing the proposal was $10,000, with $5,000 coming from a Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant…
Read MoreHighway 30 overpass on schedule
The Highway 30 overpass at Grand Junction is on schedule to be completed by Nov. 10, according to Jenny Hoskins, Iowa Department of Transportation resident construction engineer in Jefferson. Godbersen-Smith Construction of Ida Grove is general contractor for the project. The company missed the April 3 start date for the overpass as the same crews were also working on the…
Read MoreJeff council discusses railroad quiet zones, animal shelter
The Jefferson city council meeting Aug. 8 was a showcase for grassroots politics as council members responded to residents’ concerns during the open forum. The quest for railroad quiet zones was revived at the insistence of one resident, and the council received a petition calling asking the council to make a new animal shelter a priority.
Read MoreScranton keeps sheriff’s office for law enforcement
The Scranton city council at its regular meeting Aug. 8 unanimously approved a new contract with the Greene County sheriff’s office for law enforcement. The current contract was set to expire Aug. 10.
Read MoreP-C school election to have write-in candidate
Paton-Churdan voters will fill a seat on the board of education with a write-in candidate in the Sept. 12 school election. Mitch Stream and Dennis Tilley, both of whom were previously appointed to the school board, are running for election to four year terms. Eric Happe was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Steve Burrell resigned. The appointment was…
Read MoreCounty conservation comes out even on recent expense, unexpected income
County conservation director Dan Towers reported bad news and good news to the county supervisors Monday. Towers reported that the north side of a fishing riffle at McMahon Access was damaged by high water in December 2015. The public access is on the south side, but the damage has made the riffle ineffective and there has been little fishing there…
Read MoreBusy day in Scranton Aug. 19
Tractor ride, park dedication, visioning display and community potluck Details are being finalized for a big day in Scranton on Saturday, Aug. 19. The annual tractor ride is slated along with the dedication for the new park / playground equipment. An added attraction will be the viewing of the Community Visioning display.
Read MoreHazardous waste collection Aug. 19 in Jefferson
Jefferson residents can take advantage of a free hazardous waste collection Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 to 11 am on the north side of the courthouse square (note different location from previous years). The event is for Jefferson residents only.
Read MoreTemperatures, precip well below normal last week
All of Iowa experienced cooler than normal temperatures and most of the state received below normal precipitation during the week ending August 6, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included applying fungicides and insecticides, hauling grain, and haying.
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