The annual Bell Tower Festival won’t look like previous festivals, but the one-day event, slated for Saturday, Aug. 29, will include most people’s favorite part – the parade – sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jefferson. All area businesses and organizations, churches, political groups, and anyone who wants to be in a parade is invited to be part of the…
Read MoreCategory: News
W. central Iowa driest part of the state
In spite of spotty showers, Iowa farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 12, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included spraying and harvesting hay. Topsoil moisture levels across Iowa rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. West central Iowa is dryer than…
Read MoreSorenson shares Comet Neowise pics
Early “birds” don’t only find worms; this week they may see a comet in the morning twilight. Local astronomer Drew Sorenson shares photos of Comet Neowise he took Monday morning. The photos are taken with only his camera; a telescope isn’t needed to see Neowise. Neowise is the brightest comet in 23 years, astronomers say. Its closest pass around the…
Read MoreChamber, Main Street hire director
The merged organizations of Jefferson Matters: Main Street and the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce have hired Reegan Hanigan as executive director, effective July 6. Both organizations have been in the process of merging and seeking a common director for several months. Jamie Daubendiek, president of the Jefferson Matters board, spoke for both boards. “We were very impressed with Reegan’s…
Read MoreJeff council to take first look at proposed cat policy
The Jefferson city council will discuss a “cat policy” at its July 14 meeting. Council meetings have been the scene of heated discussions about trap-neuter-release programs over the past year. The policy that will be discussed makes no mention of trap-neuter-release, but it does mention “humane euthanasia.” Residents may trap cats on their property. It is recommended to have the…
Read MoreJeff council to hold first reading on revised noise ordinance
Jefferson mayor Matt Gordon and council member Pat Zmolek were listening as residents expressed concerns about a noise ordinance proposed last month. First reading of the ordinance was tabled at the time so the two, serving as the council’s police committee, could work with police chief Mark Clouse in revising the proposed ordinance. The new version of the ordinance incorporates…
Read MoreFarmers market opens July 14 in Jefferson
The Greene County farmers market is opening for the 2020 summer season on Tuesday, July 14. The market, which features all local products, will run form 4 to 6:30 pm on the east side of the courthouse in Jefferson. Special arrangements have been made due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions. Plans are to continue the farmers market every Tuesday throughout…
Read MoreNew mural celebrates Rippey
The city of Rippey will soon have a new exhibit as a mural depicting the events in the 150-year history of the town is under construction. While the 150th celebration was postponed until June of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the mural is being painted on the side of the Rolling Hills Bank by Sarah Stott, native Greene Countian…
Read MoreVicious dog enforcement is problematic
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County board of supervisors held an in-person meeting on July 6 in the courthouse boardroom with Zoom audio access for the public. Electronic access will continue through July. At the board meeting on June 29, it was determined a dog owned by Mark Morrow is considered a vicious animal under county ordinance 2020-01.…
Read MoreIowa drying out, but crops still doing well
Little to no precipitation for much of Iowa allowed farmers 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 5, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included applying fertilizer, spraying, harvesting hay and hauling grain. Topsoil moisture levels across Iowa rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Style Greene County Fair
~courtesy of the Scranton Journal It’s Greene County Fair Week July 7 – 12, but the 2020 edition of the fair will be nothing like the community has seen. COVID-19 has caused the postponement of most displays and entertainment with only 4-H / FFA youth exhibits allowed on the fairgrounds in Jefferson. The Greene County Fair board and ISU Extension…
Read MoreSupes hold first hearing under vicious animal ordinance
Dog that bit deputy deemed vicious, is to be euthanized ~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The first appeal under a new vicious animal ordinance in Greene County, passed by the board of supervisors in January, was heard at the regular board meeting June 29. Due to an incident in which a deputy was bitten on the back…
Read More