~Colleen O’Brien Frank McNulty, a classmate of mine in Jefferson, died last week – January 6, 2026. My sis called to tell me, and I’ve been crying since. I think he was, as I wrote in my journal, the case of “One more bites the dust.” Frank and I are of an age when people die. We graduated from Jefferson…
Read MoreAuthor: Tori Riley
Supervisors hold off on selling bonds, seeking professional guidance
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 12 meeting agreed to enter into an agreement with The Baker Group LP for municipal advisor services. The group will help develop a 5-year capital project plan, provide advice on future bonding, and work with county treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen on county investments. Mechaelsen in recent months has questioned the supervisors about the amount…
Read MoreRailroad historian to present program on coal mining and railroads
Railroad historian and rail fan Doug Nebbe will present a free program called Boone County Coal Mining and Railroads on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 pm at the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum (Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad)- 225 10th. St. Boone. Most people don’t realize the sheer amount of coal mines in Boone and surrounding counties and the fact that they…
Read MoreCounty ends recycling agreement with city of Jefferson
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 12 meeting approved a notice of termination of the 28E agreement with the city of Jefferson to provide recycling services for rural residents. For many years the county towns had 28E agreements with the city of Jefferson, via the Greene County Recycling Agency, to provide recycling services for those residents. That service has…
Read MoreNaig comments on USDA’s annual crop production summary
Strong domestic demand, reliable exports, and predictable policies are essential to strengthening Iowa’s agriculture economy going forward Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented Jan. 12 on the 2025 Crop Production Annual Summary released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The national summary and state summaries are released in January each year. “The…
Read MoreCondition of the State Address
Governor Kim Reynolds , January 13, 2026 – As prepared for delivery Madam President, Mister Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, First Gentleman, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans: This is the ninth time I’ve addressed you from this chamber to report on the condition of the state. It’s a place that has witnessed nearly two centuries of Iowa history—moments of crisis and moments of courage, times…
Read MoreGreene County Reads 2026 via Zoom Jan. 22
Features Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf will headline Greene County Reads 2026 with Zoom Watch Parties Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 7:30 pm in all six Greene County libraries—Jefferson, Grand Junction, Rippey, Paton, Churdan and Scranton. Greene County Reads, an annual county-wide book discussion, is a cooperative project sponsored by the Greene County Librarians Association (GCLA) and Greene…
Read MoreSupervisors increase county elected officials’ salaries by 3.5 percent
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 8 meeting approved salary increases for county elected officials for the next fiscal year, but it took three motions to get to that point. In the end, the officials got all or more than they asked for, excluding the sheriff and the supervisors. Sheriff Jack Williams in December asked for an increase of…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Jan. 9
In Greene County district court David John Lehman, 48, of Des Moines was sentenced Jan. 6 to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft- second degree aiding and abetting, amended from burglary- third degree. The prison term was suspended. He was fined $1,025 with a $153.75 surcharge. He was sentenced to five years in…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Jan. 9
Cases were initiated in Greene County magistrate court during the week ending Jan. 9 as follows: Audrie Leiann Lawrence of Jefferson, provide false identification information to law enforcement; Christopher Herbert Lawrence of Ames, assault; Shelby Hose of Jefferson, possession of drug paraphernalia; and Damon David Zimpel of Scranton, public intoxication.
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Jan. 2
Cases were initiated in district court during the week ending Jan. 2, 2026, as follows: Rocky Hughes, 46, of Boone, burglary- third degree, criminal mischief- second degree (two counts), theft- third degree, theft- fourth degree, and ongoing criminal conduct influence enterprise; and Karl Maurice Krieger, 32, of Jefferson, driving while license barred.
Read MoreMahanay Tower back to a full carillon after nearly $20K repair job
The Mahanay Bell Tower was not the tallest item in downtown Jefferson Wednesday. A crane was in place on N. Wilson Ave, to the west of the tower, to allow workers to remove and then re-install bells needing repair on the tower. The maintenance project has been under consideration for several months. County engineer Wade Weiss told the county supervisors…
Read More