The Greene County Schools board of education hoped to hire a superintendent who would demonstrate educational leadership, and superintendent Brett Abbotts did exactly that at his first board meeting July 20. Abbotts proposed and the board approving adopting the MAP (Measures of Annual Progress) Growth Assessment as an assessment tool for reading, language usage and math for grades K-11. Students…
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County prepares to accept opioid settlement money
When the Greene County supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding last December to accept and use a share of the settlement agreements with manufacturers of opioids, county attorney Thomas Laehn didn’t have an estimate of the amount of money involved. Laehn told the supervisors he was surprised at how much money counties will receive. He said 18 payments will be…
Read MoreHistorical Society program Sunday explores Jefferson’s first 150 years
~by Chuck Offenburger for the Greene County Historical Society The town of Jefferson is celebrating its sesquicentennial during 2022, and Roger Aegerter, director of the Greene County Historical Society, is presenting a reflection on the community’s 150 years in a special program Sunday, July 24, at 2 pm at the historical museum. Both the program and refreshments are free. Aegerter…
Read MoreRelay for Life is next Tuesday
Organizers of the Relay for Life of Greene County are making final preparations for this year’s Relay, slated for Tuesday, July 26, in downtown Jefferson. Survivors and their caregivers will gather at the historical museum at 4 pm for a brief reception and a group photo. They’ll then walk the Survivor Lap on the brick walking path at Thomas Jefferson…
Read MoreStill dates open to serve farmers market meal
Several weeks have passed since the start of the 2022 Greene County farmers market season in its new location next to Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County (TJG). The market runs from 4 to 6 pm every Tuesday and the Gardens are located at 201 E. Lincoln Way. “We’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks,” said Jean Walker…
Read MoreSoil moisture remains low for most of Iowa
Little precipitation and above average temperatures resulted in 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 17, 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included cutting hay and starting fungicide applications. Topsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 6 percent very short, 24 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Ratings in west central…
Read MoreJeff council keeps plugging away at construction projects
The Jefferson city council approved moving ahead with one project but delayed a second project at its regular meeting July 12. The council awarded the bid for a water main replacement project on W. Russell St from Elm St to the wastewater treatment plant to Morris Enterprises Inc of Clutier. Morris’s low bid was $395,763, which was 16 percent below…
Read MoreHannah Curtis selected as 2022 fair queen
Greene County 2021 graduate Hannah Curtis was selected Wednesday night as the 2022 Greene County Fair queen. She will preside over the remainder of this year’s fair and represent Greene County in the Iowa State Fair queen contest in August. She will also receive a $500 scholarship sponsored by Humboldt Mutual Insurance Association. She was crowned by 2021 fair queen…
Read MorePool feasibility study to be presented July 21
The findings of a feasibility study of an indoor pool will be presented to the Jefferson park and recreation board and the public Thursday, July 21, from 6 to 8 pm at Greene County Community Center. Ken Hagen of OPN Architects and George Deines of Counsilman-Hunsaker will be there to present and discuss the survey that was part of the…
Read MoreCounty supervisors discuss solar energy ordinance
The Greene County supervisors spent close to an hour at their July 11 regular meeting discussing what should be included in an ordinance regulating utility-scale solar energy installations. The new language would be an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance. It would set the metrics to be used by the county board of adjustment in considering applications for special use…
Read MoreHistorical Society hosting ‘history chats,’ one-room school visits and ag history at county fair
The Greene County Historical Society will have its buildings on the Greene County Fairgrounds open Friday and Saturday this week during the fair, with “history chats,” tours of a restored one-room country schoolhouse, and opportunities to learn about the farm tools and equipment that were commonly used in earlier times in the county. For the past six years, the “history…
Read MoreCorn, beans just a bit behind average year
Most of the state received rain along with warmer temperatures, resulting in 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 10, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. A derecho blew through northern Iowa on Tuesday, causing some crop damage. Fieldwork included wrapping up the first cutting of alfalfa and working on the second. Topsoil moisture…
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