The Greene County Schools are planning a limited summer school for students in grades K-8 for three weeks, July 20 through Aug. 6. Students would be divided into two groups, with one group attending Mondays and Wednesdays and the other group attending Tuesdays and Thursdays. That will allow for needed social distancing. School staff asks parents to complete a survey…
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Mahanay bell tower to open June 10
The board of directors of the Bell Tower Community Foundation and the Greene County board of supervisors say the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will officially re-open on Wednesday, June 10, in time for the “Chews Jefferson” Jefferson Matters: Main Street promotion that day. Mahanay Maestro Wendy Vanderlinden will play a 15-minute bell concert at 12:15 pm and visitors are encouraged…
Read MoreJeff council supports White House Apt project, Sebolt Wrestling Academy
Last Zoom meeting unless the public requests their continuance ~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The Jefferson city council met in regular session on May 26 through videoconferencing with Zoom. Mayor Matt Gordon chaired the meeting in person at the city hall council chambers while council members, the public, and media attended through Zoom and by telephone. Mayor…
Read MoreGreene County GOP, Dems pick candidates for general election
Registered Democrats and Republicans voted Tuesday in a primary to chose candidates for the Nov. 3 general election. There was an emphasis on voting by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that seemed to appeal to voters. Turnout was significantly more than in the 2018 primary. A total of 850 Republicans voted this time, compared to 472 in 2018.…
Read MoreElementary teachers end year with parade
~Photos and text by Joseph Beaudet, University of Missouri summer intern Families lined the streets in Scranton as teachers bid them farewell. Greene County Elementary School held a teacher parade on Friday afternoon, May 29. Organized by a team of staff members, the parade began in Scranton, then moved on to Jefferson, Grand Junction, and Rippey. The original teacher parade…
Read MoreShort work week for farmers but crops doing well
Rain throughout the week resulted in 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 31, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Warmer temperatures advanced crop development. Topsoil moisture levels across Iowa rated 1 percent very short, 1 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 2 percent short, 85…
Read MoreCAFO opposition looks to national group for help
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The Farmers and Neighbors of Greene County, community members living in the area surrounding the hog confinement operation proposed by Stumpf Finishers, LLC of Rockwell City, have reached out to the Socially Responsible Agricultural Project located in Golden, CO. SRAP is a not-for-profit group which assists grassroots organizers in more than 30…
Read MoreUpdate: Stumpf Finishers construction permit
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online The construction permit for a concentrated animal feeding operation proposed by Todd Stumpf, dba Stump Finishers LLC, south of Churdan is still under review by the Iowa Department of Natural Resource. Alison Manz, senior environmental specialist with the DNR, confirmed May 28 that a request for an extension has not been received.…
Read MoreChange in visitor restrictions at medical center
Greene County Medical Center has eased some visitor restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective May 27, the emergency department, surgery, clinics, outpatient chemotherapy and obstetric ultrasound patients will be allowed one companion or support person.
Read MoreCourthouse will open Wednesday
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline Safe opening of county services to the public was discussed at the regular meeting of the Greene county board of supervisors on May 26. All supervisors were physically present in the board room along with several county officials. The public attended electronically through Zoom. Board chair John Muir reported on Emergency Operations Center and department…
Read MoreGrCo schools tell summer lunch plans
Distribution of school lunches in the Greene County school district will end May 28, the scheduled last day of school. A modified summer lunch program will begin Monday, June 8. “Although the Governor has given the okay for school districts to open up buildings for summer school and summer lunch, we still have several details, like social distancing, transportation, etc,…
Read MoreA deeper look: Interview with Alison Manz, DNR
Outlines role of county supervisors in CAFO construction permitting ~by Janice Harbaugh The background: At a public hearing for Stumpf Finishers, LLC, held by the Greene County board of supervisors on May 11, individual board members stated they believed the Iowa Department of Natural Resources had scored the master matrix they had received for Stumpf. Some also stated they had…
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