~courtesy of The Scranton Journal The Scranton township trustees are planning a small project to enhance the Scranton cemetery—and they need your help. The cemetery does not have any sign or marker that identifies its name—Scranton Township Cemetery. The trustees have enlisted the help of Tom Walker, owner of the Scranton Machine Shop, to design an archway-type sign. The sign…
Read MoreDay: January 9, 2019
Habitat no longer doing roof projects
Habitat for Humanity volunteers are going out of the roofing “business”. The volunteers will no longer do roof repair or replacement beginning this summer. Volunteers with the Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity affiliate have replaced more than 20 roofs in Greene, Boone and Guthrie Counties since 2012 and put roofs on 26 new construction homes.
Read MoreCouncil hears ‘other side’ of community cat issue
Gunshot to the brain is humane euthanasia, rehab specialist says Deciding how or whether Jefferson police officers deal with unowned outdoor cats is on the to-do list of the Jefferson city council’s law enforcement committee. Mayor Craig Berry hopes the committee, which includes council members Harry Ahrenholtz and Dave Sloan along with city staff, makes a recommendation soon.
Read MoreWittry hired as Scranton city clerk
~courtesy of The Scranton Journal Following a six-month search, Kristin Wittry has been hired as the Scranton city clerk. She replaces Melinda Hinners who resigned in early July for another position. Wittry began work last week and will staff the city hall office. The council offered the position at a starting wage of $14.50 per hour. Hinners had remained on…
Read MoreAsst county attorney Farmer resigns after two weeks
The tenure of assistant county attorney Tim Farmer was very short, leaving county attorney Thomas Laehn solo in the office at what is often the busiest time of the year. Farmer resigned Jan. 2 after he and Laehn agreed there were more conflicts with his private practice work in Perry than were anticipated. Farmer was hired Dec. 17 for the…
Read MoreIncentives help in hiring JPD officers
New hiring incentives are making hiring officers less stressful for Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse. The Jefferson city council at its only December meeting approved offering a $2,000 hiring bonus paid to an officer when he (or she) signs a contract, as well as payments toward student loans once the officer is certified.
Read MoreMarlene Smouse wins Christmas light contest
Marlene Smouse loves to decorate her home for Christmas. Both the exterior and interior of the house are ablaze in festive lights and decor. For that reason, her display was judged as the winner of the Scranton Memorial Light Contest.
Read MoreDeadline approaching for Grow Greene County grant apps
Area residents are reminded that the deadline for grant applications to Grow Greene County is Thursday, Feb. 14. Completed applications must by postmarked by that date to be considered for funding.
Read MoreFree tax prep available through Extension
Low and moderate income families are eligible for free tax preparation services in February, thanks to a volunteer service coordinated by Greene County Extension. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)pProgram is available at the Greene County Extension office. This service provides free tax preparation by trained volunteers through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Read MoreCompensation board to meet Jan. 16
The compensation board will meet Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 8 am in the board room at the courthouse. The compensation board recommends to the board of supervisors a wage increase (if appropriate) for county elected officials.
Read MoreSupes pitched on allowing sculptures all year
The county supervisors will be looking for a balance in what is allowed on the courthouse grounds after being lobbied Monday by Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s Tower View Team (TVT) to have sculptures there year round. “I think we all want to contribute to the vibrancy of the square, and there are a bunch of different components of that,” board…
Read MoreThoughts too depressing or short-winded for an entire column
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Odds and ends of ideas litter my desk at the beginning of each year. They are leftovers form the former year when, hoping they had potential, I could not bear to throw them out. I did learn, about the 10th year of column writing, that if I used them all in one column, I got…
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