Even as Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse was creating an incentive plan to keep young JPD officers in the department, an officer with two years on the force “jumped ship” for the Greene County sheriff’s office. When Clouse first presented his recruitment/retention incentive plan to the council four weeks ago, he anticipated the departure of two or three young officers.…
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County promotes secondary roads employees, hires JPD officer
The Greene County supervisors approved resolutions for personnel matters at its regular meeting Dec. 10. County engineer Wade Weiss had previously discussed changing the job classifications of three secondary roads employees. The supervisors okayed a resolution changing Tanner Stauffer’s classification to assistant to the engineer at an annual salary of $62,000; changing Ryan Baugh’s classification to shop superintendent at an…
Read MoreAlley Cat Allies visits with council about community cats
The Jefferson city council got an education about trap-neuter-return (TNR) as a method of dealing with un-homed cats. Education, said Alice Burton of the national Alley Cat Allies organization, is the biggest part of the effort. Burton traveled from Bethesda, MD, to meet with the city council and with Josh Colvin, director of animal control services for the Animal Rescue…
Read MoreHabitat, Historical Society make budget requests
Habitat now partnering with USDA in housing projects Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity is expanding its efforts beyond home repair and construction to become a resource for all county residents who need help keeping their homes safe and functional. Assistant director Jeff Lamoureux shared that news as he made his annual budget request at the county supervisors’ meeting Monday.
Read MoreAnimal shelter fundraising drive now in grant-writing stage
A team of grant writers is ready to start writing applications for funds for the new Greene County animal shelter. Don Orris, who is coordinating the animal shelter project, has experienced grant writers Mary Weaver, Beth Vander Wilt and Sue Richardson on board. They visited the current animal shelter recently to take photos to bolster their grant applications. “I’m very…
Read MoreSilicon Valley execs tell of their plans for Jefferson
High-powered group assembled by Linc Kroeger of Pillar Technologies A year ago if someone had said Greene County could become another Silicon Valley, he or she would have been scoffed at. A year ago very few Greene County residents had heard of Pillar Technologies or Linc Kroeger, and people weren’t thinking of building a career academy at the same time…
Read MoreStray animals on Dec. 11 city council agenda
The Jefferson city council has two items related to stray cats and dogs on the agenda for its regular meeting Tuesday at 5:30 pm. The council will consider giving the go-ahead to Don Orris to begin applying for grants for the construction of a new animal shelter. Fundraising to date has provided matching funds to make applying for grants possible.…
Read MoreConcert line-up told for Nativity Festival
December 9 event benefits Habitat for Humanity The nativity scene has been celebrated through time using interpretive artistic figurines. These works, collectively called a nativity set, will again be the centerpiece attraction as the Nativity Festival returns to Greene County on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
Read MoreFFA donates to food pantry
ARC board also accepting donations for new location The Greene County FFA chapter made its annual holiday donation to the Action Resource Center food pantry this morning. Pictured are FFA members Quinten Schroeder (left) and Cole Betts (right) with Shirley Haupert, who accepted the donation on behalf of the ARC. As the volunteer Greene County Christian Action Resource Center board…
Read MoreSupervisors talk about animal shelter funds, hear budget requests
The Greene County supervisors will formalize an agreement made three years ago to increase its financial support of the existing animal shelter. Assistant county attorney Thomas Laehn reminded the supervisors Monday that the 28E agreement with the city of Jefferson for operation of the shelter has not been updated since 2000. At that time the county agreed to pay $1,500…
Read MoreLight Up the Holiday
Residents and businesses are happy to have visitors view their holiday lights Dec. 6 – 9. Locations are listed on a map available to the public at the Welcome Center, Greene County Community Center, Jefferson city hall, Jefferson public library, Home State Bank, Peoples Bank, Cobblestone Inn and Super 8. The map can also be accessed by clicking here. Most…
Read MoreNew organization for future Bell Tower Festivals
Planning has started for the 40th Bell Tower Festival, slated for June 7-8, 2019, but the planning looks different from recent festivals. Organization of the annual festival is transitioning from Greene County Chamber & Tourism to an independent, volunteer-led steering committee.
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