~by Colleen O’Brien As I watched opening day of the Obama Presidential Center in South Side Chicago last week, I at long last grew hopeful about life in these United States. In historic Jackson Park, additional young plantings will grow into shady woods in front of the odd-looking but intriguing eight-story edifice that holds the presidential museum. From what I’ve…
Read MoreMonth: June 2026
Bell Tower hosts ‘Let Freedom Ring,’ a 250th anniversary special event
In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration, the Bell Tower Community Foundation will host “Let Freedom Ring”, a free Mahanay Bell Tower special event on Sunday, July 5, from 1 to 2 pm. A concert featuring patriotic music arranged specifically to be played on carillons will be performed at 1:30 by Mark Welty of Cedar Falls (pictured). Welty is…
Read MoreMedical center offering back-to-school services
Sports physicals July 14, July 16 The calendar flips to July with fall sports practices starting to appear on the schedule and suddenly, families are staring at a growing back-to-school checklist. Physical forms, immunizations, wellness visits, sports injuries that haven’t quite healed yet and a first day of school that is arriving much faster than anyone expected. “Starting the school…
Read MorePorch Fest performers told
Jefferson Matters invites residents and visitors to spend a summer afternoon enjoying live music, neighborhood charm, and time outside during Porch Fest on Sunday, July 12, beginning at 1:30 pm. Porch Fest is a laid-back, walkable music event that brings live performances to front porches throughout Jefferson. With five performances at different locations, attendees are encouraged to stroll through the…
Read MoreRotary tells Bell Tower Festival parade winners
The Rotary Club of Jefferson announced the winners of the 2026 Bell Tower Festival parade organized by the service club for the past 30 years. Special emphasis on the categories for the awards this year coincided with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. There were 82 entries in the parade and 25 chose to be judged…
Read MoreCorn, soybeans doing well across the state
Iowa farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 21, 2026, which is 0.2 more days than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 21 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Corn…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending June 19
In Greene County district court Conner Laine Groves, 29, of Scranton was sentenced June 16 to two years in prison after she pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment- first degree, amended from tampering with a juror. The prison term is concurrent to a term she is serving on an arson charge. She was fined $855 with a $128.25 surcharge;…
Read MoreFoundation golf tournament drives support for local healthcare
Competition on the Jefferson Community Golf Course was matched by generosity as golfers, sponsors and volunteers came together for the Greene County Medical Center Foundation’s annual golf tournament Friday, June 12. The event raised funds that support healthcare services, programs and equipment needs, all for the benefit of Greene County and beyond. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we…
Read MoreSupes allow more anhydrous east of Churdan, discuss pioneer cemeteries, Bell Tower Festival
The county supervisors at their June 15 meeting held a public hearing and then approved a permit allowing NEW Cooperative to place a third anhydrous tank at its facility on Highway 4 about four miles east of Churdan. There are two tanks now; the third will bring the total capacity to 135,000 gallons. Jeff March of NEW Cooperative said the…
Read MoreP.E.O. scholarships awarded from Hazel Brown Zachar fund
Recent 2026 graduates of Greene County Community School District, Lucy Vander Linden, Becca Anderson, Taylor Johnston and Addison Gannon were recipients of the Hazel Brown Zachar P.E.O. scholarships. Each of the four graduates were awarded $3,120 in college scholarships by the Hazel Brown Zachar endowment fund through P.E.O. International Foundation. Hazel Brown graduated from Jefferson High School in 1939 as valedictorian…
Read MoreSchoolboy Soldiers of Rippey IPBS segment available for viewing online
The Iowa PBS story about Greene County High School students in the Iowa history class and their Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey project is now available for viewing online. The 7-minute feature first aired June 11. Viewers can watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEevlUQWtAA or on the Iowa PBS website: https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowalife/clip/14252/schoolboy-soldiers-rippey-iowa-students-preserve-civil-war-legacy The story will also be featured in Iowa Life episode 310,…
Read MoreCamaraderie and help during sad times
~by Colleen O’Brien I began this story about history’s ability to make much better reading than the daily news. Similar things like the daily nonsense of politicians, government, commentators like me happened in the “old days,” and I romanticize them. Reading the “news” from the faraway past tense gives me the illusion of fiction if not fantasy, and pleasant reading…
Read More