Iowa farmers had 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 14, which is 1.9 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Corn emerged…
Read MoreMonth: June 2026
View from my window – Greene County weekend
June 14, 2026 Greene County is such an amazing place! The Bell Tower Festival and associated weekend activities are such a positive reflection on why we live, work, and play here. Let me give my perspective on the recap. The opening ceremonies were different, but even better with the changed logistics, with the stage at the southwest corner of the…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending June 12
Christene Rae Thompson, 50, of Jefferson was sentenced June 5 in Greene County district court to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of murder in the first degree in a jury trial in April. She must pay $150,000 restitution to the estate of Richard Thompson, her former husband and the murder victim. Prior to…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending June 12
Cases were initiated in Greene County magistrate court during the week ending June 12 as follows: Amgela Jean Peterson of Carroll, possession of drug paraphernalia; Bryant James Margetta of Jefferson, possession of drug paraphernalia; Kristina Marie Greene of Jefferson, assault- general; and Lucas Darrell Smith of West Des Moines, possession of drug paraphernalia.
Read More4-H news
Greenbrier The June Greenbrier 4-H meeting was held at Clover Hall, with Rylan Hostetler presiding. In recognition of Dairy Month, members learned how milk is processed through a cheese plant and turned into the cheese sold in stores. Young Leader representative Autumn Barrett reported that the group will help clean and prepare the fairgrounds for the 2026 Greene County Fair.…
Read MoreBrown presented with Tower of Fame Award at Bell Tower Festival opening ceremony
Ellie Brown, a 1961 graduate of Jefferson High School, was honored with the Tower of Fame Award at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Bell Tower Festival Friday evening. The ceremony had a different look than in years past, with the backdrop not being the historic county courthouse, but the back of a rented concert stage brought in for the…
Read MoreRichard (Dick) Carstens, 1950 – 2026
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 MoreGrCo 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 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…
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