~contributed by Jefferson Matters Main Street As Jefferson prepares for the annual Bell Tower Festival, this year’s celebration marks the final festival under the leadership of chair Philip Heisterkamp. For the past five years, Heisterkamp has helped guide the festival through a period of growth, bringing new ideas, expanded entertainment, larger attractions, and a renewed focus on creating memorable experiences…
Read MoreDay: June 10, 2026
More military veterans receive Quilt of Valor
Six Greene County area veterans were recognized at the ceremonial quilt wrapping provided by the Perry Piecemakers Quilts of Valor group. Those recognized on Saturday, June 6, at the Jefferson Elks Lodge were Charles Derry, US Army; Robert Cairns, US Air Force; Dennis Lamoureux, US Air Force; Mark Thompson, US Army; Alexis Steven, US Army NG; and David Schrunk, US…
Read MoreBell Tower Festival set for this weekend
The 2026 Bell Tower Festival, with a patriotic theme of “High Time to Chime”, is expected to draw more than 4,000 visitors to Jefferson this weekend, June 11-13. Under the leadership of festival chair Phil Heisterkamp, an energetic and visionary committee has planned the festival with long-time favorites and some new activities, too. The festival kicks off Thursday with a…
Read MoreBy the river
~by Colleen O’Brien I sit by the Racoon River in a park called Henderson outside the prairie town of Jefferson, Iowa. The river is high and a trifle wild because of several rain showers over the past week and one ferocious windstorm that cut straight through town from southeast to northwest. Whole trees downed and half-trees, too, plus a thousand…
Read MoreBarbie exhibit, Gallup house open Saturday afternoon
Bell Tower Festival-goers who want to be out of whatever weather Saturday afternoon brings will have a pair of choices offered by the Greene County Historical Society. The Gallup House, the 1912 octagonal house that was the childhood home of pollster George Gallup, will be open from 1 to 4 pm. The home is on the National Register of Historic…
Read MoreIowa PBS segment on Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey online starting June 11
Iowa PBS television has completed its work on a story about the “Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey” and will make the story available online beginning this Thursday, June 11, at 4 pm, and then continuously accessible there. That will be on two sites on the internet: https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowalife and on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@IowaPBS. Also, the story will be featured on the Iowa PBS television show…
Read MoreRibbon cutting held at new shelter house in Churdan city park
The new shelter house in the Churdan city park was officially opened Saturday, June 6, as part of Churdan Fun Day. The shelter features a large, enclosed room with tables and chairs, a sink and storage area, heat and air conditioning, and two restrooms. There’s also a spacious porch area on the north side of the building. The $130,000 price…
Read MorePleasant Hill church and cemetery walk slated
~by Denise O’Brien Van for the Historical Society In honor of the nation’s 250th anniverary, the public is invited to a Sunday, June 14, cemetery walk at Pleasant Hill Church at 1794 Redwood Ave., southeast of Jefferson near Squirrel Hollow. The walk, which begins at 2 pm, will feature local residents re-enacting the lives of several Greene County pioneers who…
Read MoreState climatologist reports interesting week of weather
There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, 2026, which is 0.2 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition across the state rated 5 percent very short, 19 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21…
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