To the editor, I am amazed, thrilled, delighted and, yes, astounded even that the sculptures chosen to be displayed on our courthouse grounds are such top quality, so attractive and interesting. They give those of us that live here more to be proud of. They elevate our town to the creative spirit in all of us. I am no valued…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Q & A: Older Americans Month
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is Older Americans Month? A: For the last half-century, the month of May is dedicated to recognize the contributions and concerns of this growing demographic in American society. The population of those age 65 or older represent about one in every seven Americans. What’s even more remarkable is the number of persons who…
Read MoreThe Courthouse in Jefferson
Editor’s note – Columnist Colleen O’Brien this week salutes the Greene County courthouse with a reflection on the lives and business of those who have visited the courthouse, “a cornucopia of justice,” over the past nearly-100 years. She leaves no dust mote unattended, and even muses on what the central vacuum system may have collected. Click here to read Colleen O’Brien’s…
Read MorePaying for college
~by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley It’s graduation season and all eyes are on the Class of 2016. Armed with diplomas, freshly minted graduates are set to make their way in the world.
Read MoreWho’s smarter – the octopus or you?
~a column by ColleenO’Brien Octopuses, not octopi, is now considered the correct plural among the octopus intelligentsia of scientific-land. Octopi as the plural has been discarded sometime in the recent past because someone disliked a Latin ending on a Greek word. Who would have thought to correct a dictionary full of octopi and cacti? (alumni? Saying alumnuses is cumbersome.)
Read MoreQ & A: Mental Health Awareness Month
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What’s the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month? A: For 365 days a year, mental health advocates, public policymakers, medical researchers and health care professionals work collectively to support mental health and to bring what is oftentimes an invisible health issue out of the shadows and into the daylight. During Mental Health Awareness month,…
Read MoreTree Tracings
~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, May 7, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Shirley Clark will tell us about the Franklin family. Dr Franklin was a relative of her husband’s mother. Come and join us. Genealogy is sharing. Guests are always welcome. The reference library will be…
Read MoreBranstad on closing of the 2016 legislative session
DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad on Friday reflected on the legislative session by issuing the following statement: “The future of our state is bright. This year, we worked with the Iowa Legislature to build consensus and come together for Iowans on taxpayers’ priorities.
Read MoreLetter to the editor – John Thompson
Early voting for the primary election began the morning of April 28th. If you have already made up your mind on all the candidates you plan to support, you can support them more by voting at the auditor’s office. Candidates can then reallocate their limited resources to focus on the voters left to cast ballots.
Read MoreCO-EXIST, folks. What’s the alternative?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien There is so much consternation from one of our wanna-be-presidential contenders planning to build walls against the Latinas/Latinos (or make them build the walls against themselves), and also wanting to refuse immigrants from Muslim countries. The candidate is a raging xenophobe — afraid of and possibly hating foreigners.
Read MoreThe Behn report
April 22, 2016 This week in the Senate: We passed SR 112 on Wednesday, commending the results of Taiwan’s 2016 presidential election. This resolution reaffirms Iowa’s support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile, and strengthening and expanding sister-state ties between Iowa and Taiwan. We are still unsure when adjournment will be. We’ve been moving budget bills each day and will be…
Read MoreErnst encourages support of 4-H
Senate passes bipartisan measure recognizing benefits to nation’s youth, promise of new initiative WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution co-sponsored by Sen Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in support of 4-H and its recently-launched “Grow True Leaders” campaign. The measure, which was authored by Sens Roger Wicker (R-Miss) and Heidi Heitkamp (D – N. Dakota) recognized the…
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