There were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 19, 2.8 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 2 percent complete, which is 14 percentage points behind last year when 16 percent had been planted. Soybean…
Read MoreYear: 2026
Take a guess at Historical Society meeting
It will be “Show and Tell” time at the Greene County Historical Society’s May 1 mid-day program at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Churdan. Museum volunteers will bring out some of the History Society’s oddest possessions, like the one pictured, and challenge the audience to identify them. “We’ll show a wide range of items,” said museum program director Margaret Hamilton.…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending April 17
In Greene County district court Christene Rae Thompson, 50, of Jefferson was found guilty by a jury of murder- first degree. She pleaded guilty April 10 to a charge of domestic abuse assault with/using a dangerous weapon. Sentencing was set for June 5 on both charges. Brandon Joel Turner, 38, of Scranton was sentenced April 16 to 30 days in…
Read MoreVictim, suspect named in GJ homicide
Greene County sheriff Jack Wiliams provided the following information regarding a homicide that occurred in Grand Junction Sunday afternoon. “On or about April 19, 2026, at or about 2:13 pm the Greene County sheriff’s office received a 911 call for an assault that occurred at 505 Main Street East, Grand Junction. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office along with Greene County…
Read MoreJeff council ups pay for firefighters, awards forgivable loans for two E. Lincoln Way projects
Jeff council member abstains on vote on a loan for his business but didn’t abstain from vote to establish the loan program The Jefferson city council at its April 14 meeting increased the compensation paid to Jefferson volunteer firefighters. Effective July 1, pay for calls and training sessions will increase from $20 to $25 for new members and $30 for…
Read MorePlans, renderings shared of Jefferson library expansion
More than 80 persons heard plans and saw conceptual drawings of plans for a proposed $5 million expansion of the Jefferson public library at a joint meeting of the Jefferson public library board of trustees and the Jefferson city council. Studio Melee of West Des Moines was hired to design the project. Architects Curtis Ehler and Chris Wernimont, and industrial…
Read MoreForces Under 40, ABC Award to be presented at Sunday afternoon event
The 2026 Forces Under 40 recipient is Shelby Wiggins, recognized for her ongoing involvement and leadership across a wide range of community initiatives. A Jefferson native, Shelby grew up in the community and attended Greene County schools, and now works in the loan department at Home State Bank as the loan accounting specialist. She also serves on the Jefferson Matters Events Team, helping plan and support community events throughout the year. Shelby…
Read MoreTree committee set to plant trees April 24
Jefferson again named a Tree City USA city It’s spring, and the Jefferson tree committee will again plant trees in Jefferson. This year’s planting takes place on Arbor Day, April 24. The committee will plant more than 100 trees with the help of Greene County eighth grade science students and instructor Dalton Faber. Peoples Bank in Jefferson is donating water…
Read MorePlanting off to slow start
Corn planting in Iowa reached 1 percent complete for the week ending April 12, 2026, which is 1 percentage point behind last year, when 2 percent of the crop had been planted. No soybean planting has been reported, which is 1 percentage point behind 2025, when 1 percent of the crop had been planted. There were 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week…
Read MorePope Leo comes to our aid, to the world’s aid
~a column by Colleen O’Brien “Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.” [BBC Apr 10, 2026] Trump, the poster boy of dishonor, mumbles this to his bedtime companion, Truth Social, who promptly sends it out to the world, which does not want it. I discount him…
Read MoreApplications open for 144 CHI grants
The 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI) is now accepting applications for exterior home improvement grants for homeowners in the four communities that comprise the 144 Corridor—Paton, Dana, Grand Junction and Rippey. Applications are available at Rolling Hills Bank in Rippey, Community State Bank in Paton and Peoples Bank in Grand Junction. Applications are also available at the libraries in Paton,…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending April 10
In Greene County district court Jay Dolliver Orsack, 58, of Churdan was sentenced April 10 to 15 years in prison, with credit for time served, after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of criminal mischief- second degree, habitual offender. The prison term is concurrent to terms in two other Greene County felony cases. (Sentencing: Honorable Joseph B.…
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