~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline “I’m not opposed to vaccine,” county attorney Thomas Laehn told the board of supervisors at the regular meeting on Nov. 15. “I think it’s good for people to get vaccinated. But the federal government does not have the authority to mandate vaccination,” Laehn explained. At the board of supervisors’ Nov. 8 meeting, Laehn had presented…
Read MoreMonth: November 2021
Thoughts on a gloomy morning
~a column by Colleen O’Brien It has not been the poor or the lower- or middle-class who have refused to keep roads and streets and bridges in good repair; it hasn’t been these folks who have raised the price of…for example…insulin, a drug in use since 1921 – an entire century – that costs $30 a month in Canada and…
Read MoreHam ball fundraiser this Sunday
First United Methodist Church members will host a fundraiser for Bart Blackburn Sunday, Nov. 21, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. A carry-out meal will feature ham balls with cheesy potatoes, beans and dessert. Please call the church at 515-386-4411 to reserve meals. Blackburn has relocated to Jefferson from Algona and needs to make his new home handicap accessible. Funds…
Read More‘Toys for Greene County Kids’ collection in progress
Holiday Toys for Local Children Sherry Graven, elf exemplar, is collaborating with Teresa Lansman of New Opportunities in the “Toys for Greene County Kids” project. All toys donated to the project will be distributed to Greene County youngsters. Parents who have registered their children through New Opportunities will be able to attend the toy distribution Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Clover…
Read MoreUnited Charities deadline near
The board of the Scranton United Charities reminds people in the comunity their donations are due on Nov. 22. This is the only fund drive for many of these local charities. The board urges residents to give generously to help these organizations. Listed for contributions in 2021 are: Greene County Food Pantry (ARC), Community Opportunities, Scranton Little League, Scranton Community Betterment,…
Read MoreVeterans outreach event slated for Dec. 10
Greene County Veterans Affairs and Veterans Commission is hosting an outreach event on Friday, Dec. 10, from 10 am to 2 pm in Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson. All veterans are invited to learn more about health care, compensation / pension benefits and burial benefit eligibility. Representatives from Des Moines VA clinic, Fort Dodge VA, Carroll…
Read MoreGreene County Adopt-a-Family Holiday Food Program seeks donations
Each year, the all-volunteer Adopt-A-Family board works to brighten the holidays for Greene County families in need through the generosity of community members and businesses. AAF will provide a Holiday Food Program to Greene County families again this holiday season. In 2020 more than 155 families received holiday food. 2021 has been and continues to be a big challenge for…
Read MoreMedical center foundation hosts ‘Tree of Life’ fundraiser
Area residents are invited to join the Greene County Medical Center Foundation this year in its annual Tree of Life, celebrating the lives of those we have loved and lost. Ornaments can be purchased in remembrance, or honor of a loved one for $25 through Dec. 1. The loved one’s name will be attached to a special ornament and placed…
Read MoreHarvest is close to finished; first snowfall of season recorded
Variable precipitation slowed harvest activities in parts of Iowa, allowing farmers 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 14, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting, baling corn stalks, applying fertilizer and anhydrous, and fall tillage. Topsoil moisture levels statewide rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 81 percent adequate…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Nov. 12
In Greene County district court Jessica Jo Peterson, 28, of Ogden was sentenced Nov. 10 to 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary- second degree. The prison term was suspended and she was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for 2-5 years. Peterson was sentenced to two days in jail…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Nov. 6
In Greene County magistrate court a judgment for a $105 fine with a $15.75 surcharge was entered against Gailee Nichole Richter of Jefferson on a charge of theft- fifth degree. She must also pay $24 victim restitution to Cobblestone Inn and Suites, $200 restitution for her court appointed attorney’s fees and $133 court costs. Cases were initiated in magistrate court…
Read MoreCovid-19 positivity rate at 5.1 percent
The level of community transmission of Covid-19 remains HIGH in Greene County. Greene County public health director Becky Wolf reported Nov. 15 that there have been 1,420 cases of Covid-19 in the county, with 14 cases diagnosed in the past seven days. The seven-day positivity rate is at 5.1 percent; the 14-day positivity rate is 5.8 percent. Public health has…
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