Chair cites study on impact as reason The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday voted 4-1 against a license for Cedar Rapids Development Inc and a proposed Cedar Crossing Casino in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids application is one of two under consideration; the other is for a Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. The vote was taken at…
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Welcome to Iowa’s Emerald County
Bell Tower Festival theme and logo rolled out Plans for the 2014 Bell Tower Festival and this year’s logo were unveiled by Greene County Chamber and Development Monday. The 2014 festival, June 13-14, is being promoted as a celebration for and of the entire county. “Welcome to Iowa’s Emerald County” plays off the festival’s 35th anniversary. As a 25th anniversary…
Read MoreSponsors a key to success of Relay for Life
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Greene County typically raises more than $50,000 to assist the ACS as it provides services for cancer patients and their caregivers, educates the public about cancer, and advocates for and funds cancer research. Business sponsorships contribute to the success of the Relay. “We are so appreciative of all the local sponsors. They…
Read MoreSchool security discussed by Greene County board
Discussion includes limiting access to buildings Security at Greene County school buildings was part of the discussion April 9 when the Greene County board of education discussed upgrading the after-hours key card entry systems at the high school and the intermediate school in Grand Junction. With the upgrade, the systems at the two buildings will be tied into one system…
Read MoreSometimes deconstruction is needed before construction
The real work of the expansion and renovation project at Greene County Medical Center began Monday when demolition was started of the east portion of the building, which housed the medical center’s public health department and doctors’ offices before that. Medical center physical plant personnel had already done asbestos abatement.
Read MoreGreene County teachers’ contract settled more easily than expected
The new Greene County Education Association and the Greene County school board last week ratified a contract for the 2014-15 school year. Total increase in cost to the school district is 3.86 percent. The base teacher salary on which all teacher compensation is based increased from $28,591 to $30,225, or 5.7 percent. Teachers also receive a state-funded teacher salary supplement…
Read MoreGreene County school board notes…
Business was conducted by the Greene County board of education at its April 9 regular meeting as follows: Budget for 2014-15:The board adopted the 2014-15 budget after hearing no comment at a public hearing. The budget calls for a property tax levy in the Jefferson-Scranton district of $12.93 (per thousand dollars of taxable valuation), and a levy rate of $12.39…
Read MorePublic hearing slated on Hardin Township hog expansion
The Greene County board of supervisors will hold a public hearing next Monday on a construction permit for a new hog confinement building in Hardin Township, section 22. The application is filed by Jay and Justin Ostrander doing business as Greene Valley Inc. Greene Valley currently has two confinement buildings with a capacity of 4,800 hogs. The Ostranders seek to…
Read MoreJefferson city council notes…
~by Denise O’Brien Van TheJefferson city council conducted business at its regular April 8 meeting as follows: Tax abatement for improvements: A 100 percent tax abatement for improvements to residential, commercial and industrial properties was approved. The abatement applies only to the city’s portion of a total property tax bill. For information, call City Hall at 515-386-3111.
Read MoreNational Main Street staffer to visit Jefferson
Norma Ramirez de Miess of the National Main Street Center will be in Jefferson Tuesday and Wednesday, April 22 and 23, to conduct a two-day visit with Jefferson Matters: Main Street. Michael Wagler, state coordinator, Main Street Iowa will join Ramirez de Miess as a two-person review team. They will conduct a series of meetings with stakeholders in the Jefferson…
Read MoreEmerald ash borer informational meetings slated for April 28
Greene County Extension and Outreach and the Jefferson tree committee are bringing two meetings about the emerald ash borer to Greene County on April 28. One meeting targets the general public, and a second specialized meeting targets elected officials and public/municipal employees in the county.
Read MoreWater main work under way
Work in in progress this week on replacing an existing water main on N. Wilson between Adams and McKinley Street in Jefferson. The project is a preliminary step toward the construction of a Hy-Vee grocery store slated to begin in late summer or early fall. King Construction of Wall Lake had the low bid on the project. According to Jefferson…
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