by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital DispatchSeptember 8, 2023 More than 500,000 gallons of manure-contaminated water has been pumped from a creek in Greene County because an aging storage basin began to leak, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR received a report Aug. 18 that a creek southeast of Jefferson had discolored water, and initial tests of…
Read MoreCategory: News
Harvest has begun in parts of Iowa
The southern tier of Iowa received above average rainfall this week leading to 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the week ending Sept. 17, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans. Some farmers were also working on their fourth cutting of alfalfa hay. Topsoil moisture condition statewide rated 34 percent…
Read MoreEarly corn harvests spur optimism about yields despite drought
by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital DispatchSeptember 18, 2023 Farmers so far have reported average or better corn yields despite their worries about the effect of this year’s drought, according to several Iowa State University Extension field agronomists who monitor different areas of the state. Virgil Schmitt, the field agronomist who monitors far southeast Iowa, said farmers have been telling him:…
Read MoreJefferson added to Art Harvest Tour
Local artists will create art in a studio setting A quartet of local artists are participating for the first time in the 9th annual Art Harvest Tour, presented by Art on the Prairie, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24. From 10 am to 5 pm both days, artists Jolene Peters, Curt Nelson and Kevin Shea will be at Art on the…
Read MoreHigh schools celebrate homecoming next week
Greene County and Paton-Churdan will celebrate each celebrate Homecoming 2023 next week. Greene County is using a “Rams Got Game” tagline with a board game theme. Paton-Churdan students are trendy with a “Win Like Barbie” tagline and a Barbie theme. Greene County seniors selected members of the homecoming court. The queen and king will be named at a coronation Friday,…
Read MorePropane leak causes evacuation in Churdan
About 20 Churdan residents were evacuated from their homes Wednesday after a driver struck two 500-gallon propane tanks, causing one to leak. According to Greene County emergency management director and sheriff Jack Williams, Joyce Hoyle, 89, of Churdan was driving her 2018 Dodge Caravan in her driveway when she lost control of it and struck the propane tanks. Both tanks…
Read MoreJeff council gives go-ahead on pickleball court, learns more about Kading Construction
The Jefferson city council at its Sept. 12 meeting “endorsed” constructing a pickleball court at Russell Park, allowing the park and recreation department and a group of volunteers to move forward in planning, but not specifically committing city funds at this time. JPRD director Denny Hammen told the council a group has met four times to discuss the project. The…
Read MoreSupervisors hear about manure leak, city activities, more
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline The Greene County board of supervisors heard a report on a manure spill east of Cooper from nearby landowner Chris Henning at the regular board meeting on Sept. 11. Henning told them 600,000 gallons of “liquid hog manure” entered a “pristine stream, home to birds, herons, and beaver.” Henning said a beaver dam stopped the…
Read MoreMayor uses seldom-enforced time limit on open forum statements to shut down criticism of JPD
Two persons who wanted to speak to the Jefferson city council about a situation involving abating a dog from the community after a dog bite incident last month were effectively muzzled at the council’s Sept. 12 meeting. Jim North rose during the open forum portion of the meeting to read a statement from Allison Drewry, whose dog Lily was abated…
Read MoreBoston Tea Party topic of program at museum this Sunday
The Greene County Historical Society and the Priscilla Alden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will present a free program about the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party (Dec. 16, 1773), Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 pm at the Greene County Historical Museum, 219 E. Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Mary Dolan, who is the national vice-chairman…
Read MoreRippey mayor appoints Cummings, Lawrence to city council
There are two new members on the Rippey city council. At their Sept. 5 meeting, mayor Dan Brubaker appointed Kyle Cummings to fill the seat previously held by Donnie Carpenter and Shannon Lawrence for the position held by Rick Liebich. The appointees will fill the council seats until the Nov. 7 election. To continue, they must file nomination papers and…
Read MoreLess than half of Iowa corn, soybeans in good or excellent condition
Another week of above average temperatures and below average precipitation resulted in 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork for Iowa farmers during the week ending Sept. 10, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included chopping corn silage as well as cutting and baling hay. A few reports of corn and soybean harvest were received. Topsoil moisture…
Read More