New award categories told for Bell Tower Festival parade entries

The Bell Tower Festival parade will feature a refreshed set of award categories this year, designed to spark creativity, boost community participation, and celebrate Jefferson during the nation’s 250th anniversary. The parade is organized by the Rotary Club of Jefferson, marking its 30th year as sponsor. Rotary leaders announced the updated categories following several weeks of planning discussions and input from…

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150 years of Iowa food topic of museum program

Like almost everything else, Iowa food has history, from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie” family recipes for gingerbread and homemade cheese to church dinner covered dishes to Younkers Tea Room’s rarebit burgers and, of course, to breaded pork tenderloins. Lake City author Darcy Maulsby will relate the history of the Hawkeye State’s foods Sunday, May 3, at 2…

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Last week not a good one for fieldwork

There were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 19, 2.8 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 2 percent complete, which is 14 percentage points behind last year when 16 percent had been planted. Soybean…

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Take a guess at Historical Society meeting

It will be “Show and Tell” time at the Greene County Historical Society’s May 1 mid-day program at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Churdan. Museum volunteers will bring out some of the History Society’s oddest possessions, like the one pictured, and challenge the audience to identify them. “We’ll show a wide range of items,” said museum program director Margaret Hamilton.…

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Victim, suspect named in GJ homicide

Greene County sheriff Jack Wiliams provided the following information regarding a homicide that occurred in Grand Junction Sunday afternoon. “On or about April 19, 2026, at or about 2:13 pm the Greene County sheriff’s office received a 911 call for an assault that occurred at 505 Main Street East, Grand Junction. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office along with Greene County…

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Forces Under 40, ABC Award to be presented at Sunday afternoon event

The 2026 Forces Under 40 recipient is Shelby Wiggins, recognized for her ongoing involvement and leadership across a wide range of community initiatives. A Jefferson native, Shelby grew up in the community and attended Greene County schools, and  now works in the loan department at Home State Bank as the loan  accounting specialist. She also serves on the Jefferson Matters Events Team, helping plan and support community events throughout the year.   Shelby…

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Tree committee set to plant trees April 24

Jefferson again named a Tree City USA city It’s spring, and the Jefferson tree committee will again plant trees in Jefferson. This year’s planting takes place on Arbor Day, April 24.  The committee will plant more than 100 trees with the help of Greene County eighth grade science students and instructor Dalton Faber. Peoples Bank in Jefferson is donating water…

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Planting off to slow start

Corn planting in Iowa reached 1 percent complete for the week ending April 12, 2026, which is 1 percentage point behind last year, when 2 percent of the crop had been planted. No soybean planting has been reported, which is 1 percentage point behind 2025, when 1 percent of the crop had been planted. There were 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week…

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Applications open for 144 CHI grants

The 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI) is now accepting applications for exterior home improvement grants for homeowners in the four communities that comprise the 144 Corridor—Paton, Dana, Grand Junction and Rippey. Applications are available at Rolling Hills Bank in Rippey, Community State Bank in Paton and Peoples Bank in Grand Junction. Applications are also available at the libraries in Paton,…

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