The Greene County supervisors at their July 31 meeting began the task of placing a bond referendum for a new Greene County jail on the Nov. 8 ballot, with the plan down-sized from one nixed by voters last November. During the Reports portion of the meeting sheriff Jack Williams and auditor Billie Jo Hoskins told the board that Ahlers &…
Read MoreCategory: News
Churdan receives USDA grant for sewer rehab planning
The city of Churdan has been awarded a $29,000 grant from USDA Rural Development through the Special Evaluation Assistance for Communities and Households (SEARCH). The Rural Development funds will be used for technical assistance to plan improvements for the outdated sewer system. The project will produce a facility plan with alternatives and recommendations to meet the rehabilitation needs of the…
Read MoreDry conditions stressing crops, livestock
A dry and hot week allowed Iowa farmers 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 30, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and harvesting oats. More reports were received of farmers applying fungicides. The continued dry conditions made crop stress more widespread. Topsoil moisture condition statewide rated 19 percent very…
Read MoreJeff council handles lengthy agenda
The asphalt is barely cool on W. Lincoln Way and the Jefferson city council is starting the process of improving E. Lincoln Way from Locust St to the east city limits. The council at its July 25 meeting accepted a proposal from Bolton & Menk for engineering services for the project to include milling the existing pavement, curb and gutter…
Read MoreISU pres Wintersteen visits Greene County Extension & Outreach office
Iowa State University president Wendy Wintersteen spoke with about three dozen people at the ISU Greene County Extension office July 24. She introduced Jason Henderson, ISU vice president for Extension and Outreach, and Andrea Welchans, ISU assistant vice president for Extension and Outreach. The visit was hosted by the Greene County Extension staff, headed by director Lori Mannel. Wintersteen reported…
Read MoreJeff council supports housing project near Hwys 30 and 4
Cost to city more than $1.5 million The Jefferson city council at its July 25 meeting approved a letter of support for a housing project spearheaded by Greene County Development Corporation on 27 acres of vacant land between N. Elm and N. Olive Sts, and Gallup Rd and Central Ave. The project would be constructed and owned by Kading Properties…
Read MoreCounty residents welcome RAGBRAI®
More than 40,000 bicyclists rode through Greene County on Tuesday on their way from Carroll to Ames. They were part of the 50th anniversary RAGBRAI®, the largest RAGBRAI yet. The route took them through Jefferson on the old Lincoln Highway, and then on to Rippey, an official “meet up” town for riders and support vehicles. Both towns spent the last…
Read MoreShort meeting for county supervisors
Greene County attorney Thomas Laehn reassured the county supervisors at their July 24 meeting that the appointment of Billie Jo Hoskins as auditor a week earlier passed muster, even though she was sworn in to the job before being officially appointed. Laehn explained that per the state code, the supervisors had 10 days to swear her in after approving the…
Read MoreVeteran train engineer will talk about his 50 years on the rails
The Greene County Historical Society will present a free program, “A Railroad LIfe,” on Friday, Aug. 4, at the Grand Junction Community Center, 212 Main St. Retired engineer John Valmain of Boone will regale the audience with tales of his life on the rails. He worked for the Chicago Northwestern, which merged with the Union Pacific in 1995, for 40…
Read MoreHoskins 4-H Hall of Fame honoree
Billie Jo Hoskins will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 20. She was recognized at the Greene County Fair. Following is her nomination citation as provided by the Greene County Extension office. “Billie Jo Hoskins may not have been a 4-H’er in her youth but the time, energy, and dedication she…
Read MoreScranton council appoints Thomas to fill vacancy
Still one vacancy remaining on council Nici Thomas is a new member of the Scranton city council. She took the oath of office at the July 18 meeting. There is still an empty seat on the council. Anyone interested should contact mayor Jerry Boyd or city hall. Both seats will be on the ballot in November. Cindy Boyd gave a…
Read MoreA week of cooler, but still dry weather keeps producers worrying about crops
Another dry, but relatively cool week left Iowa farmers with 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 23, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and harvesting oats. Some reports were received of farmers applying insecticides and fungicides. Persistent dry weather has raised concerns regarding crop conditions. Topsoil moisture condition…
Read More