State senator Sarah Trone Garriott, candidate for Congress from Iowa’s Third Congressional District, will speak in Jefferson Tuesday, May 5, as part of her 21-day, 21-county “Faith in Iowa” tour. Throughout the tour, Trone Garriott is hosting town halls with residents across the district, listening to their concerns and sharing her vision for lowering costs, improving healthcare, and restoring trust…
Read MoreAuthor: Tori Riley
Jefferson Matters honors Daubendiek for many years of service
Jefferson Matters is recognizing and celebrating the service of longtime leader Jamie Daubendiek as he concludes his term as past president in April 2026. Daubendiek served as president of Jefferson Matters from 2013 to 2023, followed by three years as past president from 2023 to 2026. During that time, he played a key role in guiding the organization through years…
Read MoreCounty attorney Laehn explains extradition policy, plans for staff transition in his office
County attorney Thomas Laehn wants the public to know there are no “get out of jail free” cards for crimes committed in Greene County. He talked with the county supervisors at their April 27 meeting, hoping for press coverage on that topic. Laehn said he had received phone calls from members of the public about his extradition policy. In recent…
Read MoreDoes to host Mother’s Day brunch
The Jefferson Does in partnership with the Jefferson Elks will host a “Sage and Roses” Mother’s Day brunch Sunday, May 10, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Elks lodge, 103 W. Harrison St, Jefferson. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for ages 5-8, and children 4 and younger will eat at no charge. All are welcome.
Read MoreSupervisors approve FY27 budget with decreased levy rates, increased revenue and spending
The Greene County supervisors at their April 27 meeting held a public hearing at which there were no comments and then approved the budget for the coming fiscal year 2027, (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027). Of all the various levies, the general supplemental levy is the only levy not decreasing; it will remain at $2.39 (per $1,000 of…
Read MoreTopsoil moisture doing well, planting behind last year
There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 26, 2026, which is 2.0 days more than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 22 percent complete, which is 10 percent behind last year when 32 percent of the…
Read MoreView from my window: Minimum wage
APRIL 27, 2026 Wages and salaries change with the times: My father shared stories about working for $1 per day, but that did include room and board. That would have been approximately 1929 and he was grateful for the job as a hired hand for a local area farmer. My first away from home job was detasseling corn. The payment…
Read MoreMahanay Bell Tower tells 2026 season opening
The Bell Tower Community Foundation is pleased to announce the official 2026 season opening of the iconic Mahanay Bell Tower. Starting May 2, the Tower will welcome visitors on weekends, transitioning to daily operations for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend. For special tours, call Jefferson Matters at 515-386-2155. Standing as a beacon of local pride, the Tower features…
Read MoreOur citizen journalists
~a column by Colleen O’Brien In April of 2015, I wrote about a way to get the news other than via newspapers, broadcast, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media. An audacious new way of on-the-spot news reporting was named NewsByMe, unofficially known as “citizen journalists.” This little application on one’s phone made it possible for anyone to play reporter.…
Read MoreFriends of the Library spring used book sale is May 7-9
Get ready to turn a new page this spring at the Jefferson Public Library’s much-anticipated annual Friends’ Spring Book Sale. This beloved community event will take place Thursday, May 7 through Saturday, May 9, in the library basement. With free admission and unbeatable prices, there’s no better time to stock up on your favorite reads. Sale hours are Thursday, May…
Read MoreBuild-a-Bouquet in Jefferson May 9
This new community-wide Build-a-Bouquet event invites participants to explore Jefferson in a hands-on, interactive way by building a bouquet store-by-store. Participants will begin their day at The Centennial Cafe, where they will receive a bag, a vase, and their first flower. From there, they will visit participating businesses throughout town, collecting one flower at each stop and building a bouquet…
Read MoreWanda Anderson, 1934 – 2026
Memorial services for Wanda Anderson will be held at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson Saturday, May 2, 2026. Private interment in the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery will be at a later time. Wanda Lee Anderson, daughter of Kenneth and Marie (Roberts) Golden, was born March 9, 1934. Wanda attended school in Dana and graduated in 1952. After graduation, she worked at a…
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