Open swim and family swim hours will start this Saturday at the Jefferson swimming pool. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Daily pool hours will be as follows: 11:30 am to 1 pm – Adult lap swim 1 to 5:30 pm – Open swim 5:30 to 6:30 pm – Family swim (families in the same household) Pool passes are available…
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Governor loosens Covid-19 restrictions
Life in Iowa is moving closer to “normal” with the lifting of many restrictions put in place by Gov Kim Reynolds in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reynolds on Wednesday extended the public health emergency declaration to June 25, but effective Friday morning, businesses that had been allowed to open at 50 percent capacity can return to operating at full…
Read MoreLocal ‘protest’ draws dozens
About 40 persons, almost all of them wearing face masks, gathered on the courthouse lawn Tuesday in support of those impacted by racial inequality, particularly as it is seen in law enforcement. The rally was organized by retired Methodist minister Dale Hanaman of Rippey, who said “even small towns need to have some recognition that we stand with brothers and…
Read MoreJeff council tables reading of noise ordinance
The Jefferson city council tabled the first reading of a proposed noise ordinance at its June 9 meeting, before hearing comments about the ordinance from any of the 30 community members who attended the meeting. Mayor Matt Gordon said council members had heard many complaints about the ordinance, and he wanted to take some time to “clear up fact from…
Read MoreCounty supes deal with routine business at first meeting with courthouse reopened
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The Greene County board of supervisors decided to continue electronic audio meetings through June as well as opening the boardroom for public attendance. At the meeting on June 8, chair John Muir said the slow reopening of the courthouse over the past week went well. “Face masks were available, people used…
Read MoreConstruction of new high school, career academy on schedule
Construction on the new Greene County High School and regional career academy continues to go very well and is on track for completion as originally planned, according to school superintendent Tim Christensen. The career academy, academic wing, band/vocal classrooms, and commons are all slated to be completed by Aug. 1. The gymnasium is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 15,…
Read MoreCrops doing well, Iowa has first 100-degree day of 2020
Drier weather allowed Iowa farmers 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Weather conditions were ideal for farmers to cut hay across much of the state. Topsoil moisture levels across Iowa rated 4 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. In west central Iowa topsoil moisture…
Read MoreJeff council proposes noise ordinance
Jefferson residential neighborhoods will be quiet overnight if the Jefferson city council adopts a noise control ordinance on the agenda for first reading at the June 9 council meeting. The proposed noise ordinance prohibits creating a “noise disturbance” any time of the day. The limit is 65 decibels between 7 am and 9 pm, and 55 dB between 9 pm…
Read MoreLandowner saying ‘no’ to Highland Township CAFO
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online Steve Drulias of California, owner of 5 acres in Highland Township that’s at the center of a controversy over a construction permit for a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) by Stumpf Finishers LLC, told Janice Harbaugh of Greene County News Online, “I don’t want it built.” During a telephone interview June 6,…
Read MorePeaceful protest slated for Tuesday
A peaceful protest of the killing of George Floyd and others will be held Tuesday, June 9, at noon at the outside the courthouse. Some signs will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. Participants may walk along the sidewalk, stand, or sit (bring a chair). “This is an opportunity to peacefully stand with our dear Black…
Read MoreMedical Center names new CEO
The Greene County Medical Center board of trustees and its affiliation partner, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, announced Thursday the hiring of Tracy Warner as the new chief executive officer. Warner will transition from the medical center’s interim CEO to fulltime, permanent CEO. “On behalf of the Greene County Medical Center board of trustees, I am pleased to announce Tracy…
Read MoreScranton housing project, possible move of LEC discussed at supes’ meeting
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online Careful re-opening, growth, and change after months of pandemic restriction were discussed by the Greene County board of supervisors at their regular meeting June 1. This was the last meeting to be held electronically as the next meeting on June 8 will be open to the public in the courthouse boardroom at…
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