Iowa 911 professionals warn last-minute legislation threatens public safety

The Iowa Chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) are sounding the alarm over a provision quietly passed in the final hour of the 2025 legislative session that threatens to destabilize 911 operations across the state and compromise public safety for all Iowans. Division XII, Section 42 of the standings appropriations…

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Good news, for a change

World-wide good news, in fact ~a  column by Colleen O’Brien   Australia’s influential labor party leader Anthony Albanese (known as Albo) won an almost 100 percent victory over his right wing adversary for a second term as Prime Minister of Australia  on May 3. In his acceptance speech, he was happy to credit his winning to Donald J. Trump. For…

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A summer of jail, road construction

Work on the new Greene County jail is on schedule. Sheriff Jack Williams reported at the May 12 county supervisors that half the footings are poured and he expects the second half to be poured yet this week. He said earlier that after the footings are poured not much more will be done until the precast walls are delivered, probably…

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NEW Coop helps with 4-H registration fees

The NEW Cooperative Foundation continues their commitment to supporting local 4-H youth. Recently, the Foundation donated $109,360 to 38 county extension and outreach offices, which will support 5,468 individual 4-H members. The contribution from the Foundation pays for half of each 4-H member’s dues in NEW Cooperative’s trade territory counties, which includes the following in addition to Greene: Adair, Adams,…

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Last week was good for farmers

A warm and dry week made for excellent planting conditions, allowing 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 11, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers made quick progress planting corn and soybeans. In west central Iowa, 76 percent of the corn is planted and 34 percent has emerged. Sixty-one percent of the soybeans…

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Laehn calls Senate action a ‘partial victory’ over eminent domain

~by Victoria Riley, GreeneCountyNewsOnline “A partial victory for landowners” is how Greene County attorney Thomas Laehn characterized the approval of HF 639 by the Iowa Senate Monday night. Laehn has vocally opposed using eminent domain to acquire land for a liquified carbon dioxide pipeline. Laehn drafted a pair of bills relating to the pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions to…

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Greene County district court, week ending May 9

In Greene County district court Tanya Marie Helmrichs, 45, of Grand Junction was sentenced May 7 to five years in prison on a charge of possession of methamphetamine- third offense. She was found guilty of the charge at a trial March 6. The prison term was suspended and Helmrichs was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services…

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Bike to School 2025 rolls from downtown Jefferson to Greene County Elementary

Greene County Elementary students and teachers thank parents and community partners who made Bike to School 2025, held May 7, a fun success. “With perfect spring weather, the event became a true celebration of health, safety, and community connection,” principal Audrey Hinote said. The tradition began just a few years ago thanks to the vision of physical education teacher Sean…

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