Richard (Dick) H. Carstens, 75, of Jefferson, peacefully passed away June 12, 2026. He was born on December 7, 1950, in Carroll to Herman and Geniece Carstens. Dick grew up on a farm outside of Paton and graduated from Paton-Churdan Community School in 1969. He married his high school sweetheart Connie Fillman in 1971 in Farnhamville, at Holy Trinity Lutheran…
Read MoreMonth: June 2026
GrCo HS tells second semester honor rolls
Honor rolls have been announced for the second semester at Greene County High School. Students on the high honor roll earned a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.0. Students named to the high honor roll include: 9th grade – Haylee Baugh, Macy Bills, Madison Christensen, Cheyenne Clouse, Jameson Daubendiek, Vanessa Duong, James Eliserio, Eliza Elliott, Gabriel Gerzema, Alaina Gettler,…
Read MoreSchool solar project under construction
Greene County Community Schools’ photovoltaic (solar) power system in finally underway and on track to be completed in August, a year later than initially planned. Work crews started at the middle school soon after school dismissed for the summer, first placing panels on the southeast lawn. Superintendent Brett Abbotts told the school board at its June 10 meeting that Story…
Read MoreSheriff’s report
Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office: Sunday, June 21: Routine activity reported. Saturday, June 20: At 2:40 pm a deputy assisted with a missing child in Grand Junction. The child was located. Friday, June 19: At 4:15 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of harassment in Scranton. At 8:05 pm a deputy assisted with…
Read MoreJeff council will consider regulating e-bikes, e-scooters on city streets
Riding e-bikes and e-scooters may be regulated in the city of Jefferson. Pastor Dan Cunningham spoke to the Jefferson city council at its June 9 meeting, drawing partly on his observations of young riders on S. Maple St, near the municipal swimming pool. He said staff in Greene County Medical Center‘s emergency department has seen an increase in the number…
Read MoreBTF parade participants: Plan ahead, no shuttle
All groups and individuals planning to be in the Bell Tower Festival parade are alerted that there will not be a shuttle to take them to the parade staging area at the middle school. The Rotary Club of Jefferson has organized and presented the parade for 30 years. Jefferson-Scranton and now Greene County Schools has provided buses and drivers Saturday…
Read Moree-bikes, e-scooters topic for Jeff city council
Riding e-bikes and e-scooters may be regulated in the city of Jefferson. Pastor Dan Cunningham spoke to the Jefferson city council at their June 9 meeting, drawing partly on his observations of young riders on S. Maple St, near the municipal swimming pool. He said staff in Greene County Medical Center‘s emergency department has seen an increase in the number…
Read MoreGroundbreaking for new multi-family housing
A groundbreaking event was held June 9 at the site of The Weldon, a 50-unit affordable housing development in the 400 block of W. Head St. KCG is the developer. Greg Piklapp, director of Greene County Development Corporation, said the project “represents growth and opportunity for the community,” and called it “a major step forward in meeting housing needs” and…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss ordering an ambulance, get update on Jefferson city business
HVAC at courthouse near completion, still under budget Greene County supervisor Pete Bardole at the June 8 board meeting suggested for the second time in a month that the county order a new ambulance. Two of the county’s three ambulances were in accidents earlier this spring, with one striking a deer and another being sideswiped in Des Moines. Ambulance director…
Read MoreBell Tower Festival chair Philip Heisterkamp reflects on final year of leadership
~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 MoreMore 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…
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