Sam Harding, owner’s representative for the career academy and new high school, provides a monthly progress report at the Greene County Schools regular board meeting. Harding reported Nov. 18 “the structure is starting to come along” before showing 38 photos he and technology director Brent Gerzema took Nov. 15. Empty wiring reels, welded steel plates, duct work and more were…
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Jeff council agrees to buy another downtown building
The Jefferson city council took another vintage downtown building off the owner’s hands, but one council member wants to put a hold on acquiring any more buildings, at least for a while. The council held a special meeting Nov. 19 to consider a resolution approving a purchase agreement for the building at 100 E. State St. Angie’s Tea Garden operated…
Read MoreGrCo school board transitions to smaller board
Okays change order for new school, creation of an advertising jingle, and FCA The Greene County Schools board shrank by two members at the Nov. 18 meeting as the “old” seven-member board was retired and the “new” five-member board organized. The Jefferson-Scranton and East Greene boards had five members each before the districts reorganized to the Greene County district in…
Read MoreJefferson Matters’ investment drive under way
The annual investment drive for Jefferson Matters: Main Street was kicked off in early November. Donations to the non-profit (501c3) program help fund the projects and expenses involved for the organization for the coming year. The theme of “Setting Our Sights on 2020” was selected and a thermometer of the Mahanay Bell Tower was built by volunteer Marc McGinn. The…
Read MoreGrCo test scores told for 2018-19
As Greene County Schools curriculum director Karen Sandberg rolled out the results of 2018-19 standardized testing (formerly the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, now the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress – ISASP) for school board members, she first reminded them “this is only one data point for us.” Data from the last school year was delayed partly because the…
Read MoreMedical center welcomes new foundation/community relations director
Greene County Medical Center recently welcomed Nancy Houska as its director of the foundation and community relations. With more than 25 years of marketing and public relations experience, and 12 specific to the healthcare field, she will oversee fundraising, community relations and Ever Greene Ridge activities along with serving as a liaison to the auxiliary. Houska began working fulltime at…
Read MoreSupervisors deal with nuts & bolts of TIF, bond sale
Hardin Creek fish kill “undetermined” per the DNR ~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County board of supervisors at its regular meeting Nov. 18 heard the annual urban renewal report from Pam Olerich, real estate and tax coordinator for the county, and adopted several resolutions to continue the tax increment funding process for the career academy and other urban…
Read MoreHarvest wrapping up for 2019
Snowfall in the first part of the week ending Nov. 17 slowed harvesting activities in parts of Iowa by limiting farmers to 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Propane shortages continued to be a challenge for farmers across the state as they try to dry down their corn crop due to high moisture…
Read MoreEarly Learning Center tells intent to construct new building
Childcare, identified as a high need priority in the Vision 2020 plan as vital to bringing new families to Jefferson and Greene County, will receive a boost with a new, expanded childcare center on the horizon for the not-for-profit Greene County Early Learning Center (GCELC) in Jefferson. “It is imperative that we move forward to provide additional childcare for our…
Read MoreNew Winter Festival, Celebration of Trees on holiday calendar
Area residents are invited to participate in the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Festival and Celebration of Trees, slated for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 7 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12 to 4 pm at 123 N. Chestnut St, formerly Ace Hardware. The Celebration of Trees will feature festive trees decorated by members of the community,…
Read MoreJeff council slates special meeting
The Jefferson city council will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 pm at the municipal building. Agenda items include consideration of a resolution approving a purchase agreement for the building at 100 E. State St; and consideration of approving a professional services contract with the Franks Design Group PC for $19,960 for architectural and structural services at…
Read MoreJeff council discusses vacancy, Early Learning Center
The Jefferson city council met Tuesday and discussed but did not come to a decision of how to handle an upcoming council vacancy due to council member Matt Gordon winning the election for mayor. City attorney Bob Schwarzkopf advised two possibilities for filling Gordon’s council seat: appointment of a temporary council member or calling for a special election. In either…
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