The Iowa Senate will take up a bill Friday that would eliminate the use of eminent domain for the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines. Those who attended a meeting Thursday, May 8, in Jefferson in opposition to the carbon dioxide pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions learned the Iowa Senate will debate and vote on Friday on a pair of…
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March Across the Overpass Saturday
All are invited to join Greene County Democrats Saturday, May 10, in a peaceful demonstration march across the Veterans Memorial Overpass on N. Elm St in Jefferson. The themes for the day are the Power of Hope and the Power of the People. Participants are welcome to make signs to carry during the march. However, please focus on current issues…
Read MoreSupes approve first reading of ordinance against sex acts in public
The Greene County supervisors at their May 5 meeting approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting sex acts in the unincorporated parts of the county. The ordinance is similar to what the supervisors discussed the prior week. The ordinance prohibits sex acts in or within the view of a public place, including a road. All definitions come from the…
Read MoreGreene County Fine Arts Hall of Fame ceremony is May 10
The 2025 Greene County Fine Arts Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Saturday, May 10, with a reception starting at 6 pm in the high school commons in Jefferson, followed by the induction ceremony beginning at 6:30. This event is open to the public. This year’s inductees include Dick Oatts, Katy (Von Ahsen) Gordon, Carl Rowles, David Ayala, and…
Read MoreFarmers Market Nutrition Program training May 28 in Jefferson
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Greene County announces a partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to host an Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vendor training Wednesday, May 28, from 9 to 10 am. This training is for fruit and vegetable growers, as well as honey producers, who sell their products at farmers…
Read MorePaxton leaving Greene County Development Corp
Ken Paxton, director of Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC), will step down from that role effective May 30. GCDC board president Scott Weber thanked Paxton for his 15 years of service to Greene County. GCDC will pause work on the Vision 2030 plan to consider the role and structure of GCDC going forward. Michelle Book, a Des Moines consultant and…
Read MorePipeline opposition meeting May 8 in Jefferson
Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, Bold Alliance, Iowa Easement Team and impacted landowners are hosting meetings across the state to educate communities about carbon dioxide pipelines and prepare affected landowners for Iowa Utilities Commision proceedings. A meeting will be held Thursday, May 8, at 7 pm at the Jefferson municipal building, 220 N. Chestnut St. Local landowners and issue experts will…
Read MoreSupervisors discuss ordinance prohibiting public sex acts
Also approve FY26 budget, funding for Churdan park shelter The Greene County supervisors at their April 28 meeting discussed a possible ordinance prohibiting public sex acts. County attorney Thomas Laehn provided a draft ordinance to the supervisors. The draft was a response to county sheriff Jack Williams’ request for an ordinance prohibiting public nudity. Laehn said public nudity is concerned…
Read MoreLaehn questions executive orders, calls them ‘the essence of tyranny’
Greene County attorney Thomas Laehn, the only Libertarian currently holding elected office in Iowa, used the word “tyranny” in comments he made to the county supervisors at their April 28 meeting. Laehn was briefing the supervisors on a letter from the State of Iowa to all entities receiving state grants, reminding them that executive orders have the force of law,…
Read MoreCounty attorney warns residents of pipeline easement language
“Over-stepping” and “one sided” is how Greene County board of supervisors board chair John Muir characterized the easement agreement the county received from Summit Carbon Solutions last week. The proposed CO2 pipeline would cross the Raccoon River Valley Trail south of Jefferson near Winkleman Switch. That’s the only place the pipeline would cross land over which the county has control.…
Read MoreJeff council okays budget, also hears update on 1921 school repurposing project
Jefferson mayor Craig Berry opened the April 22 city council meeting by reading a mayoral proclamation honoring Jefferson Matters as the winner of a Great America Main Street Award (GAMSA). The proclamation noted that the award places Jefferson “among the best of the best” and notes “countless volunteers, community leaders, business owners, and residents who have worked together to build…
Read More2025 Bell Tower season opens Saturday
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will officially open weekends in May starting May 3-4. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Daily hours begin Memorial Day weekend through the end of October, with hours from 10 am to 4 pm. At this time, the elevator is not operable so tours will not include a trip to…
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