Gov Branstad has issued proclamations of disaster emergency for 11 Iowa counties, including nearby Guthrie County, due to severe weather June 26-30, but Greene County had relatively little damage. Jefferson received 3.64 inches of rain, according to volunteer weather observer John Beltz. The highest wind gusts reported in Jefferson by KCCI’s SchoolNet observation system were 33 mph on Monday.
Read MoreCategory: News
Resurfacing Highway 30 bridge over Hardin Creek underway
Motorists using Highway 30 are alerted that construction on the bridge over Hardin Creek about one mile east of Jefferson will limit traffic to one lane for the next three weeks or so. A crew from Kramer and Associates is removing one-half inch of concrete and laying a new layer to prolong the lifespan of the bridge. Work is being…
Read MoreNo nuisance ordinance for Greene County
The Greene County board of supervisors at its June 30 meeting said it would not pursue a nuisance ordinance in the foreseeable future. The board looked at a draft ordinance in June that would streamline the process of requiring property owners to clean up hazardous or unsightly properties. The supervisors, particularly those who have rural homes, expressed concern that an…
Read MoreYou’re right! June was wet!
The monthly weather summary for June prepared by volunteer weather observer John Beltz verifies what area residents already know to be true: June was wet. Beltz reports a total of 8.03 inches of rain in Jefferson for June, compared to the normal 4.67 inches. Not quite half of the total, 3.64 inches, fell in the last four days of the…
Read MoreWatch what you (and others) leave at the compost site
Jefferson city officials encourage residents who use the city’s compost site at Daubendiek Park to self-police regulations there. The subject of items improperly dumped there has been discussed several times at city council committee and full meetings. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources regulates such sites and prohibits some items, including plastic garbage bags. The site could be closed should…
Read MoreSchool supplies needed
Jefferson Telecom has partnered with Adopt-A-Family for the second year to supply school age children with the basic materials to succeed in school. Suggested donations are new backpacks, #2 pencils, ink pens (red, blue, and black) glue sticks, wide-ruled spiral notebooks, loose-leaf wide ruled paper, 16 count crayons, and washable markers. All donations are requested by Aug. 1.
Read MoreSoil moisture now in surplus in many places
Third wettest June in 141 years Storms during the week limited field work for Iowa farmers according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide, there were 2.2 days suitable for field work. Farmers in west central Iowa had just 1.6 days. The rain raised soil moisture levels, in some cases beyond ideal. Statewide, topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent…
Read MoreGuthrie County in disaster proclamation
DES MOINES – Governor Terry E. Branstad on June 30 issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for five counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26. Counties included in the proclamation are Adair, Cedar, Guthrie, Jones and Linn.
Read MoreGround broken Wednesday for Scranton Manufacturing expansion
Will make workspace for 75 new employees Three generations of the McLaughlin family joined Lt Governor Kim Reynolds and other dignitaries to break ground on a new 56,000 square foot addition to Scranton Manufacturing at mid-day on Wednesday. The entire Scranton Manufacturing workforce joined in celebrating the expansion and creation of 75 more jobs in the business.
Read MorePOSTPONED – Water main replacement slated in GJ Monday
Will be followed by mandatory 48-hour boil order Due to contractor scheduling, the water main replacement scheduled in Grand Junction Monday, June 30, has been postponed until July 7. Water will be shut off to the entire town during the installation, which will take place during the afternoon. Officials are hoping for fast work and as brief an outage as…
Read MoreEast Greene board of education meets for the last time
The East Greene board of education went about the business of closing out business at its regular meeting June 18. It was the last meeting for the board as it will dissolve July 1, the effective date of the reorganization with the Jefferson-Scranton district. Two members of the East Greene board, Susan Burkett and Ashley Johnston, will serve on the…
Read MoreRoom rates increasing at medical center’s long term care
Residents of the long term care unit at Greene County Medical Center will see a 5 percent increase in their bills starting Aug. 1 following action taken by the medical center trustees at their regular meeting June 19. The board had first been asked to consider a rate increase in May, but the trustees asked for more information before making…
Read More