Regional academy is critical part of the plan The first conversation about a new high school and adjacent regional academy last October included the possibility of a software company locating an office in Jefferson. As the plan has developed, computer science has been identified as one four vocational strands at the career academy. The software company was named today. Pillar…
Read MoreCategory: News
Jefferson property tax levy rates to decrease for 2018-19
An increase in property values is allowing the Jefferson city council to decrease both the general fund levy and the debt service levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018. The proposed budget calls for a levy of 12.68 (dollars per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for the general fund, compared to 12.83 for the current year. The debt service…
Read MoreMedical center had $25.3 million impact on local economy
Greene County Medical Center generated $25,322,994 for the Greene County area’s economy in 2017, according to the most recent impact study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). The report also shows that the medical center’s employees spent $3,022,654 on retail sales within the county and contributed $181,359 in state sales tax revenue. All three of these figures represent an increase…
Read MoreImpact Award nominations open
Nomination forms are now available at local libraries for the 9th annual Greene County Community Impact Award. The award annually honors an individual or individuals who have made a contribution of time and talents, not only to a specific community, but to the county as a whole. The Impact Award will honor social, educational, or cultural contributions to the Greene…
Read MoreCommunity meetings slated on bond referendum
Voters in the Greene County school district are encouraged to attend community meetings next week about the proposed $35.48 million school project. School administrators, board members, and representatives of OPN Architects will answer questions related to the district’s facility plans and the April 3 bond referendum.
Read MoreSupes okay CAFO after contentious public hearing
ICCI suggests grounds for striking points on matrix, but supervisors keep original point total The public hearing Monday morning on a hog CAFO proposed for construction in Greenbrier Township proved two things: many rural residents are angry when people can smell the profits of confined animal feeding without also smelling the accompanying manure; and the county supervisors think they’re hog-tied…
Read MoreNominations open for county elected offices
The nominating period for elected county offices opens Monday, March 5. Offices up for election in the November general election are the supervisors from District 2 (incumbent Tom Contner) and District 3 (Dawn Rudolph), treasurer (incumbent Donna Lawson), recorder (incumbent Marcia Tasler), and county attorney (incumbent Nicola Martino).
Read MoreBogus message of active shooter at HS Thursday
Some parents of Greene County High School students experienced Thursday the panic other parents have gone through when they hear of an active shooter in the child’s school. Thankfully, the panic was unfounded. School superintendent Tim Christensen explained that a Greene County student received a text message late in the school day that a specific student was shooting a gun…
Read MorePreliminary plans told for new HS, career academy
Many details about the proposed new Greene County High School and regional career academy were released today, as well as a schedule of community meetings to be held next week. (See related post under the News tab.) The plan, with a total budget of $35.48 million, addresses existing and long-term capacity, safety, and maintenance issues at the current middle school…
Read MoreSupes hear about hogs, insurance, and active shooter training
The county supervisors will hold a public hearing Monday, March 5, on a construction permit for a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) that scored 450 points on the master matrix, only 10 points more than needed for approval.
Read MoreJeff council okays in-kind participation in rehab project
Also gets good news on insurance premiums, levy rate The Jefferson city council at its Feb. 26 meeting approved in-kind participation for a grant application to rehabilitate the former Oddfellows lodge west of the Sierra Community Theatre. City building and zoning officer Nick Sorensen, with help from Jefferson Matters: Main Street director Peg Raney, is preparing an application for a…
Read MoreGreene Co school board okays new bookless science curriculum
Greene County students in grades K-8 will have a new science curriculum next year, but they won’t have new science books. The board of education at its Feb. 21 meeting approved the purchase of the Amplify Science curriculum. The curriculum is primarily web-based. The $85,000 cost covers licenses for teachers of grades K-5 and for teachers and students in grades…
Read More