“Weather conditions allowed Iowa farmers to make strong harvest progress last week. Soybean harvest is nearing completion in many areas and corn harvest is well beyond the halfway point,” said Secretary Naig. “Forecasts show widespread rain this week, which will help establish newly seeded cover crops. As warmer temperatures continue this fall, I encourage farmers to keep an eye on…
Read MoreYear: 2026
Greene County district court, week ending Oct. 30
In Greene County district court Tanya Marie Helmrichs, 47, of Guthrie Center was sentenced Oct. 27 to 15 years in prison with credit for time served after she changed her plea to guilty to two counts of burglary- third degree habitual offender. She is to receive credit for time served and must serve a minimum of three years. She is…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Oct. 30
In Greene County magistrate court judgment were entered Oct. 28 as follows: Duane Edward Forkner of Jefferson, disorderly conduct- fighting violent behavior, $105 fine with a $15.75 surcharge, $433 court costs; Eric Lee Ireland of Scranton, animal neglect- no serious injury or death, $105 fine with a $15.75 surcharge, no court costs; Bridgette Nichole Perez of Scranton, animal neglect- no…
Read More‘Hop to it’ for diabetes awareness
Meet Hopper, a cheerful blue frog with a vital message for Greene County: when it comes to your health, small leaps forward can lead to life-changing results. This November, for Diabetes Awareness Month, Greene County Medical Center is inviting communities to take a page out of Hopper’s playbook and “hop to it.” Behind the playful mascot is a serious, empowering…
Read MoreJeff city council okays $1.25 million for public library expansion project
The Jefferson city council at its Oct. 27 meeting approved allocating $1.25 million for the expansion of the Jefferson public library. The money will come from the city’s tax increment financing (TIF) revenue. Total cost of the expansion is pegged at $5 million. Hollie Roberts, president of the newly-formed Jefferson Public Library Foundation, made a brief presentation to the council.…
Read MoreSupport local healthcare at Bomgaars Ladies’ Night
Annual event is Sunday, Nov. 1 The Greene County Medical Center Foundation is happy to be named the local community beneficiary for the upcoming Jefferson Bomgaars annual Ladies’ Night. This year’s festive evening of fall shopping, fabulous prizes and community spirit is set for Sunday, Nov, 1, from 5 to 8 pm. During these three hours, shoppers can enjoy a…
Read MoreSpook the Loop and more Thursday in Jefferson
Halloween fun comes early to Jefferson, with several activities planned for Thursday, Oct. 29. The fun begins with at Greene County Community Center with the Jefferson park and recreation department’s annual Halloween party from 3:45 to 5 pm. Youngsters and families are invited to trick-or-treat around the square during “Spook the Loop” from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The Jefferson public…
Read MoreHistory should change what we ask of the living
To the editor: A monument can tell us where to stand. It cannot, by itself, teach us how to listen. Your report on the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey monuments describes high school students taking an assignment about local Civil War history and helping transform it into something their neighbors can encounter for generations. What strikes me is not simply the…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: A new conversation about farming
Let’s face it. What politicians (Democrat and Republican) and industry lobbyists have been telling us for years has not been helpful to Iowa’s farmers. We feed the world! Be proud that Iowa is the number one producer in the nation of corn, pork, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel and number two in soybean production! We will find new and expanded markets…
Read MoreJeff council okays access management agreement with possibility of new accesses off Hwys 30 and 4
The Jefferson city council at its Oct. 27 meeting approved an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding an access management plan for US Hwy 30 and IA Hwy 4 in Jefferson. Mayor Craig Berry thanked Rep. Carter Nordman, who was at the meeting, for helping bring the DOT to the table. According to councilman…
Read MoreLOST referendum: Accountability, transparency and long-term planning
~by Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson As the November 3 election approaches, Jefferson residents will have the opportunity to vote on the future of the city’s Local Option Sales and Services Tax, commonly known as LOST. The proposed referendum would continue the existing 1 percent LOST and remove the current sunset date of June 30, 2027. Over the past several…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: Vote against LOSST renewal and removing sunset date
Dear Editor, “There is nothing so permanent as a temporary tax.” This brings up the Local Option Sales and Service Tax, LOSST. The extension of this tax will be voted on at the November 3 midterm election by the citizens of Jefferson. An affirmative vote will renew the tax forever, both renewing the tax and removing any sunset dates in…
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