~a column by Colleen O’Brien A friend sent me an amusing thought – the trouble with humanity is people. I agree. Another good one along these lines is that the most rampant disease among humans is stupidity. These are cynical thoughts, cynicism being one of those human traits that is negative but often fun enough to make us laugh. I…
Read MoreYear: 2025
Greene County Community Foundation awards grants for 2025
The Greene County Community Foundation awarded more than $250,000 in grants at an awards program Sunday, April 6, in Jefferson. Grow Greene County provided $175,000 to the Community Foundation for grantmaking. Grow Greene County awards grants greater than $35,000. Those awards were announced earlier this month. Requests for grants of $35,000 or less are made to the Community Foundation. Grants…
Read MoreI have to protest forever
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I can remember my dad talking – blustering – at the dinner table about President Eisenhower. From what I could understand in my 9-year-old mind, he said the president didn’t talk well, did not have a command of the language. I gathered that speaking the language well was necessary to becoming a president. I realized…
Read MoreUrban forestry award to Peterson
Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson received the Outstanding Civic Leader in Urban Forestry award from the Iowa Urban Tree Council during the 34th annual Urban Forestry awards ceremony April 3 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Peterson, a city administrator for more than 20 years, worked in Glidden and Lake View before accepting his current role in Jefferson in…
Read MoreFirst crop report of the 2025 growing season
Much of Iowa experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain showers leaving Iowa farmers with 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 6, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to plant oats, apply anhydrous, and dry fertilizer. Topsoil moisture condition…
Read MoreView from my window – Recycling soil
Many atrocities are occurring in the United States today. Loss of individual rights, loss of jobs, shrinking of government services, and numerous other anxiety producing issues. BUT what if something worse might be occurring that will impact our long-term agricultural future? I want to share a serious situation that is happening not only in our immediate agricultural family, but also…
Read MorePositivity wins
~a column by Colleen O’Brien How happy can I get? This president who received so few — but just enough — votes is gagging me. He’s gagging friends and strangers. People are afraid. Listing a few good things never hurts in the face of fear. Hoi polloi (“the many”) — common people, not wealthy: us! — are lining the curbs…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending April 4
Damon Lee McDonald, 48, of Lohrville was sentenced April 3 to five years in prison after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of burglary- third degree. The prison term was suspended and he was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for two years. He was fined $1,025 with a $153.75 surcharge; both were…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending April 4
In Greene County magistrate court Daryl Eugene Agent of Ogden was sentenced April 3 to two years in prison after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of theft- third degree, amended from theft- fifth degree. The prison term is concurrent to aggravated misdemeanor charges in Hamilton, Dallas and Wright counties. Agent was fined $855 with a $128.50…
Read MoreGreat American Main Street Award to Jefferson Matters
Jefferson Matters was named Monday as one of three Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) recipients at the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The award is Main Street America’s top award recognizing communities for excellence in exemplary preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The 2025 GAMSA honors are sponsored by The Hartford. Other GAMSA winners are Denison Main Street of…
Read MoreSheriff’s report
Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office: Sunday, April 13: At 1:25 pm a deputy and Grand Junction fire responded to an equipment trailer burning near 5th and Cartwright Sts in Rippey. The trailer was a total loss. Saturday, April 12: At 8:20 am Chad Louk, 49, of Jefferson was booked into the jail for…
Read MoreGrow Greene County Gaming Corp awards nearly $2 million at 10th annual Awards Night
Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, the local nonprofit corporation that holds the state gaming license in Greene County, distributed $1,958,000 to organizations at its 10th annual Awards Night, conducted in person April 1 at Wild Rose Jefferson. According to the Grow Greene County board, it is the highlight of their year to hand out awards to the neighboring counties’ community…
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