Harvest in progress across Iowa

Warm and dry weather prevailed throughout much of Iowa this week resulting in 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 1, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities for the week were primarily harvesting corn and soybeans. Topsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 28 percent very short, 45 percent short, 26 percent adequate…

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New jail topic for Community Conversation

The Nov. 7 bond referendum for a new county jail is the topic of the Community Conversation Thursday, Oct. 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Speakers will be Greene County sheriff Jack Williams, Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse, and county attorney Thomas Laehn. They will discuss the need for a new jail. Voters are being asked to approve a…

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Applications open for 2024 Grow Greene County grants

Grow Greene County announced the 2023-24 competitive grant application is available Oct. 1, 2023 and due by Feb. 15, 2024. These grants are open to nonprofit, governmental and charitable organizations from Greene County. Funds will be awarded in early April.  Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation is the local nonprofit corporation that holds the state gaming license for Wild Rose Entertainment,…

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Jeff council hears from the public about camper parking and city funds for Kading housing project

Jefferson residents had all the time they wanted to talk about issues with the city council at the regular meeting Sept. 26. Residents were there in force to talk about a pair of agenda items – proposed zoning ordinances pertaining to camper/RV/boat/trailer parking; and the proposed Kading housing project. The new ordinance would prohibit parking campers, RVs, boats, trailers or…

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Ram kicker Nathan Behne raising funds to fight childhood cancer, one kick at a time

~by Taylor Teays for the Scranton Journal | photo courtesy of Bridget Allen Nathan Behne, kicker for the Greene County football team, has more than just college prospects riding on his senior football season as he raises money for childhood cancer with every point he scores.  Last summer, Behne attended the Kohl’s National Showcase, a national kicking and punting camp,…

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Much of Iowa receives welcome rainfall

A large swath of Iowa received rainfall this week reducing the days suitable for fieldwork to 5.3 during the week ending Sept. 24, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities for the week were mainly harvesting corn and soybeans. Topsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 27 percent very short, 46 percent short, 26 percent adequate and…

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Greene County one of many to receive records request from a ‘vexatious’ requester

Greene County is one of several governmental agencies who were asked for documents by Michael J. Merritt of Newton under Iowa’s Freedom of Information Act. Merritt’s requests have been so expansive, and followed so many times by complaints to the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), that the IPIB is now considering proposing legislation that would enable state agencies, as well…

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How one man’s actions led to proposed new limits on public records access

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital DispatchSeptember 22, 2023 A Navy veteran who says he has PTSD is the man responsible for triggering proposed new restrictions on Iowans’ access to government documents. The individual, Michael J. Merritt of Newton, calls himself “Cipher Hunter” and describes himself as a “creative writer/musician and information warfare specialist.” In the lengthy, stream-of-consciousness missives he has…

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Rippey pickleball court opening Oct. 1

The Rippey pickleball court will be officially opened Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 pm.  Roger and Coleen Thompson Norgren will be recognized and thanked for the two benches adjacent to the court. The benches were donated to honor their parents, Hugo and Lucille Norgren, and Darwin and Helen Thompson. Karen Shannon, president of the Greene County Community Foundation, will be…

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