Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Greene County will host a commercial ag weed, insect, and plant disease management continuing instruction course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Feb. 8. The program, provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), is available at office locations across Iowa. The local attendance site is Greene County Extension office.…
Read MoreMonth: January 2023
Public health to repeat dementia prevention course
The first 10-week Unlocking Brain Fitness: Keys to Dementia Prevention course was launched by Greene County public health in early November with an outstanding response from area residents. Following this success, public health director Becky Wolf has planned the next 10-week course to begin Feb. 28. “This is a doctor-developed program utilizing scientific, evidence-based research to provide participants with the…
Read MoreSoil/Water Conservation Club, district to offer scholarships
High school seniors who reside in Greene County are invited and encouraged to apply for scholarships offered by the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation Club and Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District by Friday, March 24, at 4 pm. One scholarship will be worth $1,000 and the other worth $500. Seniors who apply must be planning an agriculture,…
Read MoreLive streamed continuing instruction courses set for spring 2023
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program will host live-streamed Private and Commercial Continuing Instruction Courses (P-CIC & C-CIC) online training this spring as an additional opportunity for private and commercial pesticide applicators to be trained. Attendees will need a computer and a good internet connection to participate in the programs. Applicators can register by going…
Read MoreFarm Bill topic of Extension’s Feb. 3 Ag Coffee
Greene County Extension & Outreach is hosting a series of Ag Coffee events, bringing farmers and other agricultural professionals together for an informal discussion on current ag topics. The next Ag Coffee is Friday, Feb. 3, from 9:30 to 11 am at the Greene County Extension & Outreach meeting room. This month’s topic will be the Farm Bill 2023, presented…
Read MoreElks donate to congregate meals, food pantry
The Jefferson Elks Lodge #2306, courtesy of an Elks Beacon grant, presented a check for $3,000 to Congregate Meals for thei Adopt – A -Senior program. Pictured (from left) are congregate meals and board members Ashley Cooke, Rachel Reece, Linda Ross and Tammy Smith, with Elks grant writer Joyce Fister and Elks lodge officers Darrin Charlson, Bill Allen, Les Fister,…
Read MoreSupes continue hearing budget requests
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County board of supervisors met on Jan. 19, continuing to hear budget requests for FY2024 and updates on current issues. County attorney Thomas Laehn reported the new community services program connected to Boone/Greene County Probation Services has its infrastructure in place. He reported a recent meeting with Judge McCarville, Diane Hinderaker, and Kelly…
Read MoreGov Reynolds open letter to Iowans on school choice
Today, Jan. 20, Governor Kim Reynolds released the following open letter to the state of Iowa: A strong education system is foundational to Iowa’s future, which is why school choice continues to be a priority of mine and of families across our great state. I believe in Iowa’s public schools. Kevin and I are both products of public education. It’s the…
Read MoreSchool board sees draft of 2023-24 calendar, discusses renewing voted PPEL
Greene County students will have a shortened school day once each week next school year if the school board approves the 2023-24 calendar as presented at the Jan. 18 regular meeting. Superintendent Brett Abbotts shared a draft calendar. The calendar includes two-hour early dismissal for students on Mondays to allow professional development time for teachers. According to Abbotts, feedback from…
Read MoreView from my window
A look at school finance and property taxes ~by Mary Weaver If the Governor and the Legislature are successful in allowing state educational funds to be transferred to private schools, what might occur? This writer naively thought the school board could just raise the property tax rates to cover the needs of the children being educated in Greene County. A…
Read MoreUsing public funds for faith-based education is just plain wrong
~by GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Victoria Riley The Iowa Senate Committee on Education and the Iowa House Education Reform Committee on Wednesday passed SF1 and HF1, what the Republicans are calling the Students First Act, out of committee and on to their respective chambers. Gov Kim Reynolds, always the sore winner, said, “This is just the first step in giving educational freedom…
Read MoreCounty gets favorable interest rate on bonds for communications tower
County and city projects have in the last two years cost more than expected due to increased construction costs, but finally, taxpayers are getting a break from an economic downswing. The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 16 meeting authorized a purchase agreement for $3.3 million in bonds for a new communication tower and radio equipment for law enforcement and…
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