Gov Kim Reynolds and Lt Gov Adam Gregg, Congressman David Young, Sen Chuck Grassley, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham, and more than 30 Jefferson leaders, community volunteers and elected officials were among those gathered Wednesday at The Forge, the Des Moines “office” of Pillar Technology, to celebrate the launch of Pillar’s first rural forge, opening in Jefferson some…
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Mahanay Tower opens 2018 season this weekend
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson will open officially for the 2018 season on Saturday, May 5. Hours will be 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays in May and then daily beginning Memorial Day weekend. With the increased visitors in 2017 during the month of September, the Bell Tower Community Foundation board decided to remain open daily…
Read MoreIowa’s ‘Monument Man’ topic of library program May 8
An Iowan, George Stout of Winterset, was one of the World War Two ‘Monuments Men,’ made famous by the 2009 book by Robert M. Edsel, “The Monuments Men,” and the 2014 movie of the same title. “George Stout: Iowa’s Own Monuments Man” is the title of a program about Stout Tuesday, May 8, at 2 pm at the First United…
Read MoreJefferson Matters awards mini grants, has more funds available
Jefferson Matters: Main Street is wasting no time utilizing a $2,000 grant from the Jefferson Rotary Club to assist downtown building owners with exterior improvements. Jefferson Matters is offering two different mini-grant programs and had budgeted $2,000 for them. A $2,000 Rotary grant has doubled the total available. The mini-grants are for $500 each.
Read MorePlanting has started; soybeans are on schedule
Iowa farmers made the most of the 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 29, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybeans were planted in addition to soil preparation and fertilizer application. Topsoil moisture levels statewide rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Levels in…
Read MoreMore hogs, actually, and a new bridge
There are no new songs about hog CAFOs – just slightly different words to the verses each time a new one is proposed. The Greene County supervisors held a public hearing Monday on a confined animal feeding operation proposed by John and Libby Towers for Highland Township, Section 30. The opposition choir was smaller than those who sang out in…
Read MoreGOP slates fundraiser
Greene County Republicans will host their annual Spring Fundraiser Tuesday, May 1, at Abundant Life Ministries, 1308 W. Lincoln Way, Jefferson (north building). Doors will open at 5:30 pm. Food and beverages will be served at 6 pm.
Read MoreTimeline for school project given
Move-in for high school and middle school would start June 2020 The real work has begun for Greene County school administrators and the board of education on the design and construction of the new high school/regional career academy and repurposing of the current high school as a middle school. Vicki Hyland of OPN Architects’ Cedar Rapids office and Ken Hagen…
Read MoreJeff council hears about Phase 2 of facade project
Saving historic home from demolition also discussed Jefferson’s historic downtown buildings and the future of a historic home near downtown were topics of discussion at the April 24 Jefferson city council meeting. Building official Nick Sorensen made presentations and led the discussion on both topics. Sorensen first briefed the council on the particulars of Phase 2 of a downtown façade…
Read MoreHogs, security topics for county supervisors
The Greene County supervisors will hold a public hearing next Monday on a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) proposed by Towers Pork (John and Libby Towers) for Highland Township, section 30. The proposal is for two buildings, each 71’ X 277’, with a total capacity of 4,492 head. Ground in the manure management plan is nearby and is owned by…
Read MoreJeff council okays purchase of new police cameras
Jefferson police officers will have new in-car and body-worn cameras soon, hopefully before the current equipment fails. Police chief Mark Clouse and captain Heath Enns told the city council Tuesday that Digital Ally, the manufacturer of the current system, is in dire straights and no service is available. Two body cameras are not functioning and one of the in-car cameras…
Read More‘Amazing’ history of wildlife in county on Historical Society agenda
~by Chuck Offenburger for the Greene County Historical Society Dan Towers, conservation director for Greene County, will present a history of wildlife in the county, from the time of settlement in the 1840s right on up to the present, at the Friday, May 4, meeting of the Greene County Historical Society at the United Methodist Church in Churdan. Towers, besides…
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