A large swath of Iowa received rainfall this week reducing the days suitable for fieldwork to 5.3 during the week ending Sept. 24, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities for the week were mainly harvesting corn and soybeans. Topsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 27 percent very short, 46 percent short, 26 percent adequate and…
Read MoreMonth: September 2023
Greene County one of many to receive records request from a ‘vexatious’ requester
Greene County is one of several governmental agencies who were asked for documents by Michael J. Merritt of Newton under Iowa’s Freedom of Information Act. Merritt’s requests have been so expansive, and followed so many times by complaints to the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), that the IPIB is now considering proposing legislation that would enable state agencies, as well…
Read MoreHow one man’s actions led to proposed new limits on public records access
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital DispatchSeptember 22, 2023 A Navy veteran who says he has PTSD is the man responsible for triggering proposed new restrictions on Iowans’ access to government documents. The individual, Michael J. Merritt of Newton, calls himself “Cipher Hunter” and describes himself as a “creative writer/musician and information warfare specialist.” In the lengthy, stream-of-consciousness missives he has…
Read MoreRams drop homecoming game to Kuemper Knights, 39-3
Behne kicks 49-yard field goal The Greene County Ram football team didn’t win the homecoming game against the Kuemper Knights of Carroll Friday, but despite the 39-3 score, there were positive take-aways for the Rams. The Rams showed grit during the Knights’ first possession. The Knights received the opening kickoff, a Nathan Behne kick to the endzone, starting their possession…
Read MoreSheriff’s report – September 2023
Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office: Saturday, Sept. 30: At 6:58 am a deputy investigated a car-deer accident on 170th St near W Ave in Paton Township. Luis Rogue Castro, 24, of Webster City struck a deer with a 2015 Toyota Corolla, causing an estimated $3,000 damage to the vehicle. At 3:12 pm a…
Read MorePolice blotter – September 2023
Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department: Saturday, Sept. 30: At 12:26 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a driver near Hwy 30 and N. Elm St. During the encounter the officer could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, the officer located numerous…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Sept. 22
In Greene County district court Robert E. Barnard Jr, 57, of Des Moines was sentenced to five years in prison after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of dominion/control of firearm/offensive weapon by a felon. The prison term was suspended. He was fined $1,025 with a $153.75 surcharge. He was sentenced to two days in jail and…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Sept. 22
In Greene County magistrate court judgments were entered against Perry Anders Edholm of Carroll on two charges. He was fined $105 with a $15.75 surcharge on a charge of public intoxication, and $250 with a $37.590 surcharge on a charge on a charge of interference with official acts. Court costs were $133. In a new case not previously listed on…
Read MoreRippey pickleball court opening Oct. 1
The Rippey pickleball court will be officially opened Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 pm. Roger and Coleen Thompson Norgren will be recognized and thanked for the two benches adjacent to the court. The benches were donated to honor their parents, Hugo and Lucille Norgren, and Darwin and Helen Thompson. Karen Shannon, president of the Greene County Community Foundation, will be…
Read MoreHeritage Farm designation for Andrew, Towers farms
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation vice president Brian Feldpausch honored 398 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 17. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same families for 100 and 150 years, respectively. The Andrew…
Read MoreFarm Bureau coordinates 4th grade farm day
This year’s farm tour for county fourth grade students marked the 29th year Greene County Farm Bureau has coordinated the annual event. In their fifth year of hosting this event for the county Farm Bureau, Connor and Cale Juergensen of Churdan welcomed the students to their family farm northeast of Churdan where Connor, his wife Lindsay, and their daughter live. …
Read MoreWomen’s retreat Oct. 14 in Jefferson
All Greater Greene County Presbyterian Ministries women and their friends are invited to “Finding Your Voice”, a women’s retreat, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 am to 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. The retreat will offer insights into various ways for women in particular to express themselves. Lunch will be provided. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct.…
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