The efforts of Jefferson Matters: Main Street, and Why Not Us? and chef Sara Ostrander were recognized by the Iowa Tourism Office at the 2024 Iowa Tourism Conference in Des Moines last week. Jefferson was named the Outstanding Community in the rural division; Cedar Rapids was recognized in the metro division. The Centennial was recognized as the Outstanding Dining Business…
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GrCo Schools to hold public info meeting on possible solar energy project
Meeting slated for Wednesday, April 3 All Greene County Community School District are encouraged to attend a informational session about using solar power to reduce utility expenses at the district’s three school buildings. The meeting will be held Wednesday, April 3, at 6 pm in the middle school auditorium. School superintendent Brett Abbotts explains in a letter to school district…
Read MoreSupes discuss sharing communication tower space, select construction mgr for jail
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline At the Greene County board of supervisors meeting on Mar. 25, county attorney Thomas Laehn presented the board a draft 28E agreement between Greene County and Dallas County for the sharing of communications tower space and backup recording services for the Iowa interoperable communications systems, sometimes called emergency communications. “We can piggyback off the Dallas…
Read MoreHistorical Society to meet April 5 at RVP ~1875
The Friday, April 5, lunch meeting of the Greene County Historical Society, will include a tour of RVP ~1875, 115 S. Wilson Ave in Jefferson. RVP ~1875, which bills itself as “the world’s leading historical furniture shop and museum,” features19th-century woodworking tools and more than 130 pieces of furniture built by shop-museum owner Robby Pedersen. Each piece of furniture has…
Read MoreDeal’s Orchard receives state grant
Deal’s Orchard was selected to receive one of 26 Choose Iowa value-added grants from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships. The grants, awarded to Iowa farmers, small businesses and non-profit organizations in 22 counties total $463,000. The grants will help leverage a total investment by grant recipients of nearly $2 million. The Choose Iowa grant recipients were announced…
Read MoreCandidates named for June 4 primary
The June 4 primary election for county positions will include a contest for Republicans for the District 5 supervisor ballot position. Incumbent Pete Bardole is being challenged by Sue Bose. The winner will run in the Nov. 4 general election. Also on the Republican primary ballot are Joe Gannon supervisor District 1. Incumbent Mick Burkett is not running for re-election.…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss Zoom, open meetings policy
The Greene County supervisors at their March 18 meeting reviewed a draft of a new open meetings policy. County attorney Thomas Laehn prepared the policy in response to recent discussions of the board’s use of Zoom to provide public access to meetings. According to the policy purpose statement, the supervisors are “committed to both transparency and public participation in government.”…
Read MoreGrCo school board hears info about a bond issue against future PPEL revenue
Would fund solar energy projects for the three school buildings The Greene County Community Schools board of education heard detailed information about issuing private placement, general obligation capital loan notes at its March 13 regular meeting. The notes, possibly as much as $5,075,000, would fund installation of solar energy systems at the district’s three school buildings. Matt Gillaspie of Piper…
Read MoreJeff council okays final reading on rezoning for affordable housing project
The Jefferson city council at its March 12 meeting approved the third reading of an ordinance to rezone property just west of the Hwy 4 overpass from light industrial to RM-3, clearing the way for KCG Properties to construct 40-50 units of affordable housing in a project dubbed The Whelden. The rezoning has been contentious, with very vocal opposition speaking…
Read MoreCarbon pipeline, Zoom, GCDC discussed at supervisors meeting
Greene County zoning officer Chuck Wenthold briefed the supervisors at their March 11 meeting on Summit Carbon Solution’s plan to build 27 additional miles of carbon dioxide pipeline across the county. The company proposes a total of 340 miles in addition to 690 miles that are now awaiting permit approval from the Iowa Utilities Board. Summit is already in the…
Read MoreMarch 22 deadline for primary election ballot
The deadline for filing nomination papers for the June primary is near. All paperwork must be filed in the Greene County auditor’s office by Friday, March 22, at 5 pm. Offices on the ballot in June and current office holders are: Auditor — Billie Jo Hoskins Sheriff — Jack Williams Supervisor District 1 — Mick Burkett Supervisor District 4 —…
Read MoreFree occupational therapy exams at 21st Century Rehab during April
21st Century Rehab at Greene County Medical Center will offer free occupational therapy (OT) exams throughout the entire month of April. Tyler Ommen, the occupational therapist at the Jefferson location, said his title can be a little confusing. “Our focus is on functionality,” he explained. “We work with people on adapting or strengthening particular areas so they can perform daily activities…
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