According to Greene County sheriff Jack Williams, state jail inspectors called the new Greene County jail as one of the best designed jails they’ve seen. Williams and ISG architects didn’t copy another jail, but instead visited five different jails and took ideas from each one. The new jail, tucked behind the Law Enforcement Center in the 1000 block of E.…
Read MoreDay: August 26, 2026
Jeff council sees fire nozzle demo, hears good news on shared use path funding, plans for Westwood sidewalk project
Water seemed to be the theme of the first portion of the Jefferson city council’s Aug. 25 meeting. While waiting in the fire station for a demonstration of the fire department’s new SAM Smart Nozzle, city administrator Scott Peterson told council members the heavy rains earlier this month showed the new fire station roof is leaking under the solar panels…
Read MoreCentury, Heritage farm families recognized at State Fair
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson on Aug. 20 honored 514 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations during ceremonies at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The annual recognition celebrates families who have owned their farms for 100 and 150 years, respectively. This year, 274 Century Farms and a record 240 Heritage…
Read MoreThe sounds of a lifetime
~Colleen O’Brien It’s said that the most potent memory jogger is scent. The whiff of cut grass was one of my favorites — used to make me feel like a kid long after I quit being one. A waft of Old Spice was my husband, and a whiff of baby powder my babies (now pushing 60). I can no longer…
Read MoreCounty attorney Laehn briefs supervisors on various tasks
Treasurer Mechaelsen tells reduced hours for driver’s license services Thomas Laehn has his foot on the gas pedal in the county attorney’s office even while campaigning for U.S. Senate. He briefed the county supervisors at their Aug. 24 meeting on the various tasks he’s working on. None of them are small. He has started revising the county’s zoning ordinance, and…
Read MoreCrops a bit ahead of average growing season
“Beautiful weather throughout much of last week helped cap off an incredibly successful Iowa State Fair, with fairgoers turning out in record numbers,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “As students and families settle into the routines of a new school year, farmers are keeping an eye on the forecast as crops continue to mature. Warmer temperatures and near-normal…
Read MoreA primer on measles
MMR, Measles, Mumps Rubella? Red Measles, German Measles, Hard Measles, 3-day Measles, Measles outbreak in southern Iowa? Three shots instead of one shot. Make American Healthy Again, MAHA? These terms and topics are appearing frequently in today’s news headlines. I am using this opportunity to share information with you. The President and Director of Health and Human Services are recommending…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Aug. 21
In Greene County district court Benjamin Keith Potts, 37, of Granger was sentenced Aug. 19 to 180 days in jail after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of operating while intoxicated. All but two days of the jail time was suspended and he was placed on probation to Boone/Greene County Probation for one year. He may complete…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Aug. 21
In Greene County magistrate court Khane Smith of Paton was sentenced Aug. 19 to 30 days in jail on a charge of simulated public intoxication. The jail term was suspended and he was placed on informal probation to the Greene County attorney’s office for six months. He was fined $105 with a $15.75 surcharge. Court costs were $60. Cases were…
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