Dear Editor, Public art is more than just decoration downtown — it’s a vital part of our town’s identity, culture, and economy. From murals to sculptures these works of art enrich our daily lives, spark conversations, and foster a sense of community pride. In renovating our alleyways, this significantly improves safety and accessibility in these once overlooked spaces. By creating…
Read MoreMonth: October 2025
‘Settlers and Indians’ is Historical Society November program
Stories about Native Americans who lived along Greene County’s creeks and Raccoon River in the 19th century will be shared by Janet Durlam at a Greene County Historical Society program on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Scranton Methodist Church. The free 12:45 pm program follows a noon lunch prepared by church members. Native Americans passed through the county, following game into…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss ambulance department wages, decrease employee insurance premiums
The Greene County supervisors at their Oct. 20 meeting discussed wage increases for fulltime employees of Greene County Ambulance. In recent months the ambulance service has lost employees due to low wages, causing the service to be unable to provide patients transfers from Greene County Medical Center as agreed with the county took over the ambulance service. Wages are currently…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. Lautner, re: No Kings March
To the editor, People celebrated “No Kings” rallies as very successful and largest of all time. At least it was relatively peaceful and no buildings were burnt to the ground. We have 343 million citizens in the U.S. with only 7 million protesting. That equates to 2 percent in the rally. That doesn’t even equate to a small pimple on…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. McDermott re: Iowa Central bond renewal
Our region faces a growing demand for skilled workers in health care, trades, and agriculture. Iowa Central Community College is stepping up to meet those needs, but it requires updated facilities and resources to continue leading in workforce training. The proposed bond renewal funds programs in welding, plumbing, HVAC, nursing, dental hygiene, and agriculture science. All these fields are critical…
Read MoreMedical center foundation to benefit from Bomgaars Ladies’ Night
The Greene County Medical Center Foundation has again been selected to receive proceeds from the Jefferson Bomgaars annual Ladies’ Night. “We are grateful to Bomgaars and all of the Jefferson employees who work so hard to give back to others in the communities we serve,” said Foundation director Nancy Houska. “We are proud to partner with them and their patrons…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Oct. 17
In Greene County district court Devin Christopher Hackfort, 29, of Jefferson was sentenced Oct. 15 to 10 years in prison after he changes his plea to guilty to a charge of arson- second degree. He was sentenced to five years in prison on a charge of willful injury causing bodily injury, amended from attempted murder; to two years in prison…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Oct. 17
in Greene County magistrate court a judgment was entered Oct. 13 against Melissa Sue Dopheide of Breda on a charge of assault- simple, amended from assault- contact insulting or offensive. She was sentenced to 30 days jail with credit for time served. The sentenced is concurrent to a sentence in district court. A charge of abusive epithets/threatening gesture was dismissed.…
Read MoreD. Lautner – A trifecta for the old gymnasium
Has anyone ever considered what a blessing the community has that the gym at the corner of Vine and Monroe is still standing? Build around 1952, it was considered the best and most modern in southwest Iowa in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was prized for sectional tournament play, and on several occasions three sectional games would be played…
Read MoreA walk in the park
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I, along with 6,999,999 other Americans, took a walk this last Saturday. We were on streets, along rivers in big cities and in front of county courthouses in small burgs. We were venting, in a genial way. Our dissatisfaction with the current administration. We were friendly to one another and to the local cops, who…
Read MoreView from my window – Women, public safety, and broken glass ceilings
October 19, 2025 Recently Sac County, one of Greene County’s neighboring rural counties, swore in a woman as sheriff. She is currently the only female sheriff in the State of Iowa. I was pleased to read about 32-year-old Katie Stange being identified first as interim and then appointed by the board of supervisors as the Sac County sheriff. This followed …
Read MoreJanet Davis, 1931 – 2025
Janet A. (Scharfenkamp) Davis, age 93, of Edencrest at Green Meadows in Johnston, formerly of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025. Janet was the daughter of Dorothy Simons Scharfenkamp and William J. Scharfenkamp. She was born on December 31,1931, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll. She graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1949. Immediately following graduation, she worked…
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