The Greene County supervisors at their April 27 meeting held a public hearing at which there were no comments and then approved the budget for the coming fiscal year 2027, (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027). Of all the various levies, the general supplemental levy is the only levy not decreasing; it will remain at $2.39 (per $1,000 of…
Read MoreDay: April 29, 2026
Topsoil moisture doing well, planting behind last year
There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 26, 2026, which is 2.0 days more than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 22 percent complete, which is 10 percent behind last year when 32 percent of the…
Read MoreView from my window: Minimum wage
APRIL 27, 2026 Wages and salaries change with the times: My father shared stories about working for $1 per day, but that did include room and board. That would have been approximately 1929 and he was grateful for the job as a hired hand for a local area farmer. My first away from home job was detasseling corn. The payment…
Read MoreMahanay Bell Tower tells 2026 season opening
The Bell Tower Community Foundation is pleased to announce the official 2026 season opening of the iconic Mahanay Bell Tower. Starting May 2, the Tower will welcome visitors on weekends, transitioning to daily operations for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend. For special tours, call Jefferson Matters at 515-386-2155. Standing as a beacon of local pride, the Tower features…
Read MoreOur citizen journalists
~a column by Colleen O’Brien In April of 2015, I wrote about a way to get the news other than via newspapers, broadcast, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media. An audacious new way of on-the-spot news reporting was named NewsByMe, unofficially known as “citizen journalists.” This little application on one’s phone made it possible for anyone to play reporter.…
Read MoreFriends of the Library spring used book sale is May 7-9
Get ready to turn a new page this spring at the Jefferson Public Library’s much-anticipated annual Friends’ Spring Book Sale. This beloved community event will take place Thursday, May 7 through Saturday, May 9, in the library basement. With free admission and unbeatable prices, there’s no better time to stock up on your favorite reads. Sale hours are Thursday, May…
Read MoreBuild-a-Bouquet in Jefferson May 9
This new community-wide Build-a-Bouquet event invites participants to explore Jefferson in a hands-on, interactive way by building a bouquet store-by-store. Participants will begin their day at The Centennial Cafe, where they will receive a bag, a vase, and their first flower. From there, they will visit participating businesses throughout town, collecting one flower at each stop and building a bouquet…
Read More