~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County mental health services coordinator position was unanimously eliminated by the board of supervisors at their regular meeting on Feb 4. The duties will be transferred to other counties in the Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) region. “The position has changed over time,” said chair John Muir. Supervisor Dawn Rudolph recommended eliminating the…
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Teachers receiving Covid vaccines today
Teachers of elementary and special education students at Greene County and Paton-Churdan schools were slated to receive their first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine today, Feb. 5. According to public health director Becky Wolf, remaining staff in both districts will receive vaccines next week, depending on availability of the vaccine. Wolf said the public health department has had “a…
Read MoreCounty supes ready to ink $250K commitment to GrCo Early Learning Center construction
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline Representatives of the Greene County Early Learning Center in Jefferson updated the county board of supervisors about on-going plans for funding a new facility at the supervisors’ regular meeting on Feb 1. ELC board members Jacque Andrew, Bill Monroe and Donna Sutton, and ELC director Cherie Cervey asked the board for a letter of support…
Read MoreMaker’s Brew Cafe open on Scranton Main St
~courtesy of The Scranton Journal Mike Winger’s vision is becoming a reality with the opening this week of The Maker’s Brew Cafe on Scranton’s Main Street. The former grocery store has been completely remodeled and updated into an attractive coffee shop with plans to add a cafe later this year. The coffee shop is open now from 6:30 am –…
Read MoreLocal Dems plan off-year caucus
With the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats across Iowa begin their efforts for 2021 and 2022. The Greene County Democrats will hold their off-year caucus Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7 pm. Democrats will gather to volunteer and to select precinct representatives, three from each of the seven voting precincts, who will head up efforts…
Read MoreNew security measures in place at courthouse, supes update policies accordingly
Also tweak compensation board’s salary recommendations ~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline Security at the Greene County courthouse has moved into the 21st century. Last year, the offices of the county attorney and the clerk of court were updated to provide greater security for staff with glass at the service counters and locking doors between staff and the public. The entire…
Read MoreJeff council taking the reins on new animal shelter
The Jefferson city council plans to assume responsibility for construction of a new animal shelter, including issuing up to $400,000 in general obligation bonds. Even with the new debt, the tax levy rate for bonded indebtedness will decrease in the coming year. The council opened the meeting with a pair of public hearings needed to issue up to $6.5 million…
Read MoreIssues in bell tower music policy clarified
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline “Controversy about the bell tower is a good thing,” Greene County board of supervisors chair John Muir said at the regular meeting of the board on Jan. 25. “The bell tower matters, and people care.” At the board meeting on Jan 21, the board unanimously moved to suspend all music from the Mahanay Memorial Carillon…
Read More‘Meet Your Legislator’ slated for Feb. 13
The Thomas Jefferson Gardens board will again host “Meet Your Legislator” with the first one of this legislative session slated for Saturday, Feb. 13, at 10 am. The Thomas Jefferson Gardens board continues to provide this community service as Jefferson recognized the importance of an informed electorate. State Senator Jesse Green and Representative Phil Thompson, who represent Greene County in…
Read MoreAnother successful Lots of Socks & More drive
RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) thanked everyone who donated to their 12th annual Make a Difference Day Lots of Socks & More drive. Donation boxes were located around the county during the month of October to collect socks and underwear for needy children in Greene County. Thanks to the generosity of Greene County residents, 1,761 pairs…
Read MoreAg Secretary Mike Naig talks with local farmers, ICA
~courtesy of The Scranton Journal Iowa State Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited in Greene and Carroll Counties on Wednesday, Jan. 20. He first toured Arcadia Meats along with a stop in Carroll. Lunch at Doc’s Stadium in Jefferson was accompanied by a round table discussion covering a wide variety of topics including cover crops, seed production, marketing, crop insurance,…
Read MoreCovid relief funds a bonus for GrCo Schools
Greene County Schools will spend part of its share of the $82 billion approved by Congress last month for coronavirus relief to finish work on a new HVAC system at the middle school. Superintendent Tim Christensen told the board at its regular meeting Jan. 20 that the district expects to receive in excess of $796,000. He said the preliminary plans…
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