~by Denise O’Brien Van for the Greene County Historical Society The Tipton Prairie southeast of Cooper near Squirrel Hollow is perhaps the best virgin prairie in the state. Owned by Greene County Conservation, the four-acre plot is home to more than 180 species of native plants, according to Chris Henning of the local Friends of Parks, a local organization dedicated…
Read MoreMonth: March 2025
Greene County district court, week ending March 7
In Greene County district court Tantya Marie Helmrichs, 45, of Grand Junction was found guilty at a jury trial March 6 of possession of methamphetamine- third or subsequent offense. Assistant county attorney Laura Snider prosecuted the case. Sentencing will be at a later date. Aryanna J. Rank, 18, of Churdan was granted a deferred judgment after she changed her plea…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending March 7
In Greene County magistrate court a sentencing order was entered Feb. 27 in a case from October 2023 in which Joshua Michael Faller of Jefferson was charged with disorderly conduct- loud raucous noise. A criminal verdict of guilty was entered on the charge in May 2024. Faller was fined $105 with a $15.75 surcharge. Court costs were $339.50, including a…
Read MoreLetter to the editor, C. Henning, loss of local food funding
To the editor, As a current board member of Iowa Farmers Union AND a manager of Greene County’s Tuesday farmers market 2010-2022, I am dismayed to learn about the loss of Local Food funding. I urge you to contact our representatives on both a state and national level. Chris Henning, Franklin Township, Iowa Farmers Union northwest district board member An…
Read MoreTo the editor, D. Lautner – Diluting the meaning of ‘champion’ and money
To the editor, This time of year used to be my favorite with the girls and boys state basketball tournaments. But now I have lost interest due to the large number of schools involved. I recall when I was a senior in high school (1966) playing basketball, that all 535 schools were in one class. Only eight teams made it…
Read MorePrivate fireworks will be legal in Jefferson
The city of Jefferson may be little noisier and Jefferson police officers will spend less time answered calls about neighborhood fireworks over the Fourth of July and New Year holidays. The Jefferson city council at its Feb. 25 meeting approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the regulating and sale of fireworks in the city limits. Shooting off fireworks…
Read MoreAvoid tax and IRS scams during tax filing season
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird provides tips to protect Iowans from tax and IRS scams during the 2025 tax filing season. “As tax season kicks into high gear, Iowans should be on the lookout for IRS and tax scams,” said Attorney General Bird. “Criminal scammers are on the prowl to steal Iowans’ hard-earned money, and they will use every opportunity…
Read MoreSupervisors hear economic impact of RRVT
The annual economic impact of recreational bicycling in Greene County is $1.3 million, Luke Hoffman of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition told the Greene County supervisors March 3 as he presented findings of a study on the impacts of cycling and trails in Iowa. “You’re kidding,” supervisor Dan Benitz said on hearing that. The study was done to update information last…
Read MoreP.E.O. Chapter CZ presents scholarship
The scholarship awarded by Chapter CZ of P.E.O. for 2024 was presented to Cherie Cerveny of Jefferson recently. Cerveny is completing her bachelor of science degree in social work. The $400 local scholarship from Chapter CZ is being utilized to reach that goal. Cerveny earned her associate’s degree from Des Moines Area Community College. Her career in early childhood services…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss well monitoring and ethanol
The Greene County supervisors’ recent discussions of Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed carbon dioxide pipelines across the county have centered on concerns of safety and the use of eminent domain to acquire land. They were reminded of another concern – water usage – at their March 3 meeting. Roger Rowles, who lives just southwest of the Louis Dreyfus ethanol plant at…
Read MoreStepping in for an anti-Democrat
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The off-the-rails President and his menacing capo, a vice-president, believe it or not, in the unusual venue of the Oval Office, acted out what appeared to be a badly rehearsed play for the benefit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. It was awkwardly done, mean-spirited, fourth-grade level bullying in front of an invited audience…
Read MoreLocal Elks make pair of donations to community food security organizations
The Jefferson Elks Lodge #2306 presented a check for $3,500 to the Greene County Christian ARC (food pantry) on Feb. 24. The Elks Beacon grant is part of the Jefferson Elks commitment to helping provide meals and assistance to those less fortunate in our community. Pictured (from left) are Elks officers Les Fister, Bill Allen, ARC director Shirley Haupert, and…
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