Open swim and family swim hours will start this Saturday at the Jefferson swimming pool. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Daily pool hours will be as follows: 11:30 am to 1 pm – Adult lap swim 1 to 5:30 pm – Open swim 5:30 to 6:30 pm – Family swim (families in the same household) Pool passes are available…
Read MoreDay: June 10, 2020
Governor loosens Covid-19 restrictions
Life in Iowa is moving closer to “normal” with the lifting of many restrictions put in place by Gov Kim Reynolds in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reynolds on Wednesday extended the public health emergency declaration to June 25, but effective Friday morning, businesses that had been allowed to open at 50 percent capacity can return to operating at full…
Read MoreKevin Richards ends 31-year art teaching career
~by Joseph Beaudet, Scranton Journal intern Kevin Richards taught art for the Greene County School District for his entire 31-year teaching career but now he is hanging up his brushes and smock. Having grown up in Boone, Richards had known of Jefferson, which was “smaller in population and close to home” for him. Richards applied for the art teaching job…
Read MoreIs this time different?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien What it comes down to is this. Most of us, so often, do not do the right thing. Especially if we’re in power. When I look at history, or not even that far – how about just to the head of the department I worked in? The teacher making fun of me in class because…
Read MoreTom Wind to host virtual field day from Franklin Township June 11
Tom Wind, who farms near Jamaica, will host a virtual field day with Practical Farmers of Iowa Thursday, June 11, from 2:15 to 3:15 pm. The virtual event will explore how he’s working with neighbors to integrate livestock into his cropping system. The event – “Working With Neighbors to Integrate Livestock and Improve Soil” – is free to attend and…
Read MoreLocal ‘protest’ draws dozens
About 40 persons, almost all of them wearing face masks, gathered on the courthouse lawn Tuesday in support of those impacted by racial inequality, particularly as it is seen in law enforcement. The rally was organized by retired Methodist minister Dale Hanaman of Rippey, who said “even small towns need to have some recognition that we stand with brothers and…
Read MoreJeff council tables reading of noise ordinance
The Jefferson city council tabled the first reading of a proposed noise ordinance at its June 9 meeting, before hearing comments about the ordinance from any of the 30 community members who attended the meeting. Mayor Matt Gordon said council members had heard many complaints about the ordinance, and he wanted to take some time to “clear up fact from…
Read MoreCounty supes deal with routine business at first meeting with courthouse reopened
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The Greene County board of supervisors decided to continue electronic audio meetings through June as well as opening the boardroom for public attendance. At the meeting on June 8, chair John Muir said the slow reopening of the courthouse over the past week went well. “Face masks were available, people used…
Read MoreConstruction of new high school, career academy on schedule
Construction on the new Greene County High School and regional career academy continues to go very well and is on track for completion as originally planned, according to school superintendent Tim Christensen. The career academy, academic wing, band/vocal classrooms, and commons are all slated to be completed by Aug. 1. The gymnasium is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 15,…
Read MoreCrops doing well, Iowa has first 100-degree day of 2020
Drier weather allowed Iowa farmers 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Weather conditions were ideal for farmers to cut hay across much of the state. Topsoil moisture levels across Iowa rated 4 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. In west central Iowa topsoil moisture…
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