by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital DispatchOctober 23, 2025 A City of Jefferson employee has been fired from her job for the alleged theft of citizens’ utility payments. State unemployment records indicate Joyce D. Richardson, the City of Jefferson’s utility billing clerk, was fired in July for alleged theft, dishonesty, failing to follow policies and procedures, and failing to complete city…
Read MoreAuthor: Tori Riley
GCCF 2026 grant apps available Nov. 1
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle of the Greene County Community Foundation will be available on its website Nov. 1, 2025. On April 6, 2025, the Greene County Community Foundation (GCCF) distributed grants to 21 projects totaling $251,409. This amount was a combined total of monies received from Grow Greene County ($175,000) and accessed funds from the GCCF endowment ($76,407). There were…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: D. Lautner on Iowa high school football playoffs
To the editor, On the 18th of October the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the pairings for Class 2A, 1A, A and 8-player games. Class 5A, 4A, and 3A still had another regular season game to play. Well, each of the four bottom classes have 32 teams each that advance to the playoffs set up by the IHSAA. Looking…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: D. McGinn, public art and the council election
Dear Editor, Public art is more than just decoration downtown — it’s a vital part of our town’s identity, culture, and economy. From murals to sculptures these works of art enrich our daily lives, spark conversations, and foster a sense of community pride. In renovating our alleyways, this significantly improves safety and accessibility in these once overlooked spaces. By creating…
Read More‘Settlers and Indians’ is Historical Society November program
Stories about Native Americans who lived along Greene County’s creeks and Raccoon River in the 19th century will be shared by Janet Durlam at a Greene County Historical Society program on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Scranton Methodist Church. The free 12:45 pm program follows a noon lunch prepared by church members. Native Americans passed through the county, following game into…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss ambulance department wages, decrease employee insurance premiums
The Greene County supervisors at their Oct. 20 meeting discussed wage increases for fulltime employees of Greene County Ambulance. In recent months the ambulance service has lost employees due to low wages, causing the service to be unable to provide patients transfers from Greene County Medical Center as agreed with the county took over the ambulance service. Wages are currently…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. Lautner, re: No Kings March
To the editor, People celebrated “No Kings” rallies as very successful and largest of all time. At least it was relatively peaceful and no buildings were burnt to the ground. We have 343 million citizens in the U.S. with only 7 million protesting. That equates to 2 percent in the rally. That doesn’t even equate to a small pimple on…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. McDermott re: Iowa Central bond renewal
Our region faces a growing demand for skilled workers in health care, trades, and agriculture. Iowa Central Community College is stepping up to meet those needs, but it requires updated facilities and resources to continue leading in workforce training. The proposed bond renewal funds programs in welding, plumbing, HVAC, nursing, dental hygiene, and agriculture science. All these fields are critical…
Read MoreMedical center foundation to benefit from Bomgaars Ladies’ Night
The Greene County Medical Center Foundation has again been selected to receive proceeds from the Jefferson Bomgaars annual Ladies’ Night. “We are grateful to Bomgaars and all of the Jefferson employees who work so hard to give back to others in the communities we serve,” said Foundation director Nancy Houska. “We are proud to partner with them and their patrons…
Read MoreGreene County district court, week ending Oct. 17
In Greene County district court Devin Christopher Hackfort, 29, of Jefferson was sentenced Oct. 15 to 10 years in prison after he changes his plea to guilty to a charge of arson- second degree. He was sentenced to five years in prison on a charge of willful injury causing bodily injury, amended from attempted murder; to two years in prison…
Read MoreGreene County magistrate court, week ending Oct. 17
in Greene County magistrate court a judgment was entered Oct. 13 against Melissa Sue Dopheide of Breda on a charge of assault- simple, amended from assault- contact insulting or offensive. She was sentenced to 30 days jail with credit for time served. The sentenced is concurrent to a sentence in district court. A charge of abusive epithets/threatening gesture was dismissed.…
Read MoreD. Lautner – A trifecta for the old gymnasium
Has anyone ever considered what a blessing the community has that the gym at the corner of Vine and Monroe is still standing? Build around 1952, it was considered the best and most modern in southwest Iowa in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was prized for sectional tournament play, and on several occasions three sectional games would be played…
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