At 9:13 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2019, Heidi Bills got a phone call she will never forget. Her husband Mike was screaming her name. A few days earlier, life had looked ordinary. The night before, however, her brother Kyler Kiner had texted to tell her she and her husband were great parents. It was a message she would later recognize…
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AG releases report on officer-involved fatal shooting
Shooting was legally justified In a report issued Aug. 31, the Iowa Attorney General’s office has concluded that the July 26, 2026, fatal shooting of Keegan Dean Kennedy by Jefferson police officer Shaydon Thurman was legally justified. The attorney general’s conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The investigation found that at approximately 1:25 am on…
Read MoreMedical Center Family Practice Clinic welcomes new physician
He grew up in Lagos (Nigeria’s largest city), studied medicine in the Caribbean, trained across several U.S. hospitals and completed his residency in Arkansas. Now, Dr. Columba Chukwuka (CHUCK-woo-kah) is ready to put down roots in Iowa and is looking forward to meeting the people who live here. Known to many as Dr. Chiby, Chukwuka has joined the medical staff…
Read MoreAG Bird reminds Iowans of school safety tips
As students head back to school, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird reminds Iowans about laws and tips to keep school kids safe. “Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, but also dangerous,” said Bird. “There’s lots of construction on our Iowa roads right now. It’s easy to get distracted, even near school bus stops and schools. Please, remember to stop for…
Read MoreAuditor tells candidates, LOSST revenue statements for Nov. 3 election
There are no contested elections on the Nov. 3 Greene County ballot. Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins released candidate lists Aug. 27. Any other candidates will be write-in only. County offices – Board of supervisors, all are voted at large to four-year terms. Candidates are Dawn Rudolph, R, District 2; and James Hedges, R, District 3. County treasurer, four-year term, Candidate…
Read MoreNew Greene County jail open to the public for tours Friday, Saturday
According to Greene County sheriff Jack Williams, state jail inspectors called the new Greene County jail as one of the best designed jails they’ve seen. Williams and ISG architects didn’t copy another jail, but instead visited five different jails and took ideas from each one. The new jail, tucked behind the Law Enforcement Center in the 1000 block of E.…
Read MoreJeff council sees fire nozzle demo, hears good news on shared use path funding, plans for Westwood sidewalk project
Water seemed to be the theme of the first portion of the Jefferson city council’s Aug. 25 meeting. While waiting in the fire station for a demonstration of the fire department’s new SAM Smart Nozzle, city administrator Scott Peterson told council members the heavy rains earlier this month showed the new fire station roof is leaking under the solar panels…
Read MoreCounty attorney Laehn briefs supervisors on various tasks
Treasurer Mechaelsen tells reduced hours for driver’s license services Thomas Laehn has his foot on the gas pedal in the county attorney’s office even while campaigning for U.S. Senate. He briefed the county supervisors at their Aug. 24 meeting on the various tasks he’s working on. None of them are small. He has started revising the county’s zoning ordinance, and…
Read MoreCrops a bit ahead of average growing season
“Beautiful weather throughout much of last week helped cap off an incredibly successful Iowa State Fair, with fairgoers turning out in record numbers,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “As students and families settle into the routines of a new school year, farmers are keeping an eye on the forecast as crops continue to mature. Warmer temperatures and near-normal…
Read MoreLocal submariners will tell about service under the sea
Four local veterans of the U.S. Naval Submarine Service will tell about their adventures under the sea at a Greene Conty Historical Society program Friday, Sept. 4, at St. Patrick Catholic Church west of Churdan. Randy Winkelman of Scranton, who served aboard the USS Jack from 1983 to 1989, will bring along three fellow submariners to talk about life beneath…
Read MoreMedical center auxiliary’s annual salad luncheon is Sept. 22
Tickets available now from Auxiliary members or at the Gift Garden The Greene County Medical Center Auxiliary is getting ready to serve up one of the community’s most anticipated fall traditions at their annual salad luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 22. From 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Jefferson Elks Lodge, diners will enjoy an impressive variety of fresh, homemade salads …
Read MoreWhy Not Us marking 150th anniversary of Centennial Block building
If these walls could talk, 150 years of stories at the Centennial Block Building will be celebrated at a special event in coming weeks. The public is invited to the Centennial Cafe, 100 East State in Jefferson Sunday, Oct. 4, for a special celebration of the Centennial Block Building, marking 150 years since the historic building was constructed in 1876. The event will…
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