~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 MoreMonth: June 2020
Is 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…
Read MoreWanda Thompson, 1926 – 2020
Services were held June 11 at First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction for Wanda Ruth Thompson, 94, formerly of Grand Junction. Pastor Jim Barnett offered words of comfort. Casket bearers were James Timmons, Bruce Timmons, Jeremy Swecker, Sean Thompson, Alex Thompson, Cory Thompson, Keaton Krueger, Myron Bahm and Kirk Neill. Interment was at the Junction Township Cemetery west of…
Read More‘Rona’ scores another cancellation
The 2020 proms at Greene County and Paton-Churdan have been cancelled due to restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are sorry to announce this and believe this is in the best interest for the health our our students and community,” the announcement stated. The proms were originally scheduled for April. The Greene County prom had been rescheduled to June 26.
Read MoreCelebrate a child’s first fish
Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate. Apply for a first fish certificate online at www.iowadnr.gov/firstfish. It’s easy and free to participate. There are no size, species or age requirements – only that it is…
Read MoreJeff council proposes noise ordinance
Jefferson residential neighborhoods will be quiet overnight if the Jefferson city council adopts a noise control ordinance on the agenda for first reading at the June 9 council meeting. The proposed noise ordinance prohibits creating a “noise disturbance” any time of the day. The limit is 65 decibels between 7 am and 9 pm, and 55 dB between 9 pm…
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