The first dirt was moved May 18 for a multi-family housing project north of the Union Pacific railroad tracks and west of N. Elm St in Jefferson. The project was first proposed by KCG Properties of Indianapolis during the summer of 2023. Despite heated opposition to the project for a variety of reasons, the city’s planning commission approved rezoning the…
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DOT agrees to more business access off Hwy 30 in Jefferson after city officials involve legislators
Jefferson city council member Luke Winkelman, just five months into his first term on the council, scored big for the city in the economic development game. The “win” was shared when Greg Piklapp, director of Greene County Development Corporation as part of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, made his quarterly report at the May 12 council meeting. The “win” was…
Read MoreJeff council ups water, garbage fees, and department head salaries
The Jefferson city council at its May 12 meeting approved increases to a pair of costs residents see on their city services bill, most commonly referred to as a water bill. The council approved a 2 percent increase to the “retail” rate of water. The base fee, which includes 134 cubic feet of water, will increase from $13.72 to $14.…
Read MoreGrCo school board approves budget amendment, gr 5-8 literacy curriculum
The Greene County Schools board of education approved an amendment to the certified budget for the current school year at its May 13 meeting. Superintendent Brett Abbotts explained the amendment is a “precaution” to allow the completion of various projects without going over the budget approved in April 2025. The amendment increased spending by $500,000, with half the total going…
Read MorePlanting behind 2025 pace, ahead of 5-year average
There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 17, 2026. Topsoil moisture condition statewide rated 5 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 23 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn planting reached 88 percent complete, which is one…
Read MoreGovernor signs property tax law projected to save $4.2 billion over 6 years
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, May 18, 2026 Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds signed into law May 18 a measure she and supporters say will lower property tax costs for Iowans – an issue Republicans said was their top priority for the 2026 session. “We’re bending the spending curve away from government and back toward the families who fund it,…
Read MoreSupervisors give final approval to Schoolboy Soldiers monument, take care of routine business
The Greene County supervisors at their May 11 meeting approved easements for Red Lion Solar to place solar installations at the secondary roads building in Jefferson, Spring Lake Park, and the new jail. That followed a public hearing attended by no one. The supervisors gave final approval for the verbiage on the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey monuments. One will be…
Read MoreJefferson receives statewide recognition at Main Street Iowa Development Awards
Jefferson was recognized for its continued downtown revitalization and community efforts at the 2026 Main Street Iowa Development Awards Thursday, May 7. Jefferson received two competitive project awards along with a leadership recognition, highlighting the partnerships and initiatives that continue to shape the downtown experience and support local businesses. The Centennial Building was awarded the prestigious “Building Rehabilitation” honor, recognizing…
Read MoreLocal chiropractors team up to pay youth admission to Mahanay Bell Tower for 2026 season
The Bell Tower Community Foundation is happy to announce that for the 2026 season, all youth ages 18 and under will receive free admission to the top of the tower, thanks to the generous support of a dedicated group of local chiropractic professionals. This year’s youth sponsors are committed to ensuring that every child and teenager in the community and…
Read MoreSupervisors hear about new unified behavioral healthcare system
The Greene County supervisors received a tutorial on the state’s new unified Behavioral Health System at their May 4 meeting. The new system, which launched July 1, 2025, seeks to combine mental health and substance use services to streamline access and ensure consistent care across the state. Iowa Primary Care Association was selected to administer the program. Iowa PCA was…
Read MoreGCLA ‘Around the World in Greene County’ multicultural program debuts May 12 in Rippey
The Greene County Librarians Association is rolling out “Around the World in Greene County” this month. The county-wide multicultural program, featuring all six Greene County libraries, will debut with a Culture Café on Tuesday, May 12, from 5 to 8 pm at the Rippey public library. The event will showcase the new materials purchased for the Rippey library with funds…
Read MoreJefferson Telecom helps local fourth graders ride into summer safely
Jefferson Telecom once again partnered with Greene County Elementary School to provide bicycles to local 4th graders, helping students head into summer with both excitement and an important reminder about bike safety. This year, 30 students received bikes through the annual initiative led by Jamie Daubendiek, general manager of Jefferson Telecom, and his wife Cindi, GCCSD board president. The program…
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