In Greene County district court a mistrial was called in a trial April 8 in which defendant Connor Laine Groves, 28, of Scranton is charged with arson- second degree, conspiracy to commit non-forcible felony fraudulent practices greater than $10,000, insurance fraud- presenting false information, criminal mischief- first degree and possession of marijuana. The mistrial was called after a potential juror…
Read MoreYear: 2025
Greene County magistrate court, week ending April 11
In Greene County magistrate court cases were initiated during the week ending April 11 as follows: Michael Allen Olson of Jefferson, public intoxication; and Jacob Eugene Day of Jefferson, interference with official acts.
Read MoreSupervisors asked for funding for P-C Early Learning Center project
The Greene County supervisors received information and a request for funding for the Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center at their April 7 meeting. P-C ELC board president Cassie Fiedler and director Whitney Minnehan, with P-C school principal Annie Smith, made the presentation. The P-C ELC has been housed in a modular building that was placed at the east end of the…
Read MoreArchery contest proposed for Squirrel Hollow park
The Friends of Greene County IA Parks plans to inaugurate an annual archery target-shooting competition. The Friends group formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization within the past year with a goal of supporting the county parks. Friends board member Cheryl Robson at the April 7 county supervisors meeting requested $4,000 of the total project cost of $7,700 to purchase 3-dimensional…
Read MoreKeeping up with the times and oneself
~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 MoreGreene 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…
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