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 MoreYear: 2025
D. 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…
Read MoreDick Whitver, 1952 – 2025
Memorial services for Dick Whitver, 73, of Jefferson will be held Oct. 27 at St Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson. Interment will be in St Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson. Richard (Dick) Keith Whitver, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, completed his life’s journey on October 17, 2025. Dick was born the second of six children to Robert “Bob”…
Read MoreDarren Jackson re: his candidacy for Jefferson city council
Hello, my name is Darren Jackson. I was asked by some why I am running for reelection to the Jefferson City Council. This letter is in response to that inquiry. I have proudly served on the council for several years and have been happy to have been a part of Jefferson’s success.I want to continue to be a part of…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Support Ahrenholtz, Jackson, Winkelman for Jeff council
To the editor, As longtime residents of Jefferson, we are filled with immense pride at the positive achievements happening here! So much has been accomplished in our community, especially in the last decade, to make it attractive and welcoming. The culture here in Jefferson is one of collaboration to reach shared goals. We’d like to see that forward momentum continue!…
Read MoreIA Supreme Court’s ‘Court on the Road’ coming to Jefferson
Area residents can get a first-hand look at the Iowa Supreme Court Tuesday, Nov. 4. The Court will hear oral arguments in a pending case at 7 pm at the Greene County High School auditorium. The oral arguments are open to the public. A public reception with the supreme court justices sponsored by the Greene County Bar Association will follow…
Read MoreTo the editor – City, school election
October 17, 2025 The classic film It’s a Wonderful Life makes you wonder what your town would look like without committed, positive leadership. I truly believe that without the progressive vision of the last 10-12 years, our Jefferson wouldn’t be the vibrant community it is today. Think about what we’ve achieved: the Wild Rose Casino, the new high school and…
Read MoreJeff council approves purchasing policy, handles routine agenda items
The Jefferson city council had a short agenda for its Oct. 14 meeting. The council approved and adopted a revised purchasing policy. The policy allows department heads to purchase any single item or service costing up to $2,500 if they’ve been specifically identified in the approved city budget. The department head must first verify the funds are available within the…
Read MoreSupervisors handle routine business
The Greene County supervisors took care of business at their Oct. 13 meeting, adopting six resolutions to transfer funds to pay for items already budgeted for, hiring two ambulance staff, and approving changes of positions for two other ambulance staff members. The supervisors also agreed to request bids for mowing and snow removal on the courthouse grounds. That work has…
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