The Jefferson city council did various organizational tasks at its Jan. 13 meeting, the first of 2026. Included was setting mayor and council goals for 2026-2027, based on a report by consultant Pat Callahan. Callahan conducted a goal setting work session with the council and department heads last November. The top initiatives and programs as identified are: an employee recruitment…
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Supervisors hold off on selling bonds, seeking professional guidance
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 12 meeting agreed to enter into an agreement with The Baker Group LP for municipal advisor services. The group will help develop a 5-year capital project plan, provide advice on future bonding, and work with county treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen on county investments. Mechaelsen in recent months has questioned the supervisors about the amount…
Read MoreCounty ends recycling agreement with city of Jefferson
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 12 meeting approved a notice of termination of the 28E agreement with the city of Jefferson to provide recycling services for rural residents. For many years the county towns had 28E agreements with the city of Jefferson, via the Greene County Recycling Agency, to provide recycling services for those residents. That service has…
Read MoreNaig comments on USDA’s annual crop production summary
Strong domestic demand, reliable exports, and predictable policies are essential to strengthening Iowa’s agriculture economy going forward Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented Jan. 12 on the 2025 Crop Production Annual Summary released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The national summary and state summaries are released in January each year. “The…
Read MoreCondition of the State Address
Governor Kim Reynolds , January 13, 2026 – As prepared for delivery Madam President, Mister Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, First Gentleman, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans: This is the ninth time I’ve addressed you from this chamber to report on the condition of the state. It’s a place that has witnessed nearly two centuries of Iowa history—moments of crisis and moments of courage, times…
Read MoreGreene County Reads 2026 via Zoom Jan. 22
Features Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf will headline Greene County Reads 2026 with Zoom Watch Parties Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 7:30 pm in all six Greene County libraries—Jefferson, Grand Junction, Rippey, Paton, Churdan and Scranton. Greene County Reads, an annual county-wide book discussion, is a cooperative project sponsored by the Greene County Librarians Association (GCLA) and Greene…
Read MoreSupervisors increase county elected officials’ salaries by 3.5 percent
The Greene County supervisors at their Jan. 8 meeting approved salary increases for county elected officials for the next fiscal year, but it took three motions to get to that point. In the end, the officials got all or more than they asked for, excluding the sheriff and the supervisors. Sheriff Jack Williams in December asked for an increase of…
Read MoreMahanay Tower back to a full carillon after nearly $20K repair job
The Mahanay Bell Tower was not the tallest item in downtown Jefferson Wednesday. A crane was in place on N. Wilson Ave, to the west of the tower, to allow workers to remove and then re-install bells needing repair on the tower. The maintenance project has been under consideration for several months. County engineer Wade Weiss told the county supervisors…
Read MoreMore budget requests for county funds
Drainage project in Highland Township expands The Greene County supervisors continued hearing requests for funding from various groups at their Jan. 5 meeting. The first request came from New Opportunities for the Family Development Center. New Opportunities chief executive officer Chad Jensen and Greene County Family Development Center coordinator Teresa Lansman made the presentation, requesting $17,989. That amount has not…
Read MoreSupervisors appoint Rudolph as chair, hear taxable valuations for next tax year
For the first time in more than a decade, the Greene County supervisors did not elect John Muir as board chair. The supervisors held the annual organizational meeting Friday, Jan. 2. Supervisor Peter Bardole nominated Dawn Rudolph, who has served as vice chair for many years, for the position of chair, after saying, “John, you’ve done a great job, but…
Read MoreSheriff asks public’s help in locating burglary suspect
A pair of suspects are in custody on charges related to the Dec. 18 burglaries at the Scranton Casey’s store and the Rippey Sparky’s One Stop, but Greene County sheriff Jack Williams is asking for the public’s help in locating a third suspect. Rocky Hughes, 46, is in the Greene County jail on charges of ongoing criminal conduct- influence enterprise,…
Read MoreRuling issued in Supreme Court case heard in Jefferson
The Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday issued its opinion in the case of Alex Butler and Sydney Stodola v. Midwest Property Management IC, LLC, KMB Property Management and Ruby Investments, LLC. Oral arguments in the case were held Nov. 4 at Greene County High School. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Honorable Chad Kepros in Johnson County. A…
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