Letter to the editor – Denise O’Brien Van

To the Editor of GreeneCountyNewsOnline: The concerts presented by St. Patrick’s Oratory on Sunday, Dec. 6, were glorious gifts of the season to the community. Members of the St. Patrick’s Committee arranged the free events which featured the All Strings Attached Chamber Orchestra and Choir of Carroll.The musicians include Jeffersonians Rick Morain, orchestra pianist; and Hank Muzney, a tenor in…

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Lesson is on loopholes, not respect

Originally posted Sept. 30, 2015 Students learn a lot in high school, much of it having nothing to do with math or science or William Shakespeare. They learn important lessons in life, including difficult ones. “Life isn’t fair” is one of them. A companion lesson to “life isn’t fair” is that virtually any policy, no matter how carefully written and…

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Northey: $325 million invested in Iowa benefit water quality

Funds from state and federal programs DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on Nov. 30 highlighted more than $325 million in state and federal funds directed to programs with water quality benefits in Iowa last year.  The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Annual Report that was provided to the Water Resources Coordinating Council (WRCC) this summer highlighted $105 invested…

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Elected officials comment on Renewable Fuel Standard

Several of Iowa’s elected officials released statements Monday regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume obligation levels for 2014, 2015 and 2016. According to the EPA, the final requirements will boost renewable fuel production and provide for robust, achievable growth of the biofuels industry. Information is available on the EPA’s website.

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Tree Tracings

~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Bob Tucker will share some of his family stories. He has been researching for a number of years and we can all no doubt learn from some of his methods and sources. Please…

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A day to be thankful for

~a column by Colleen O’Brien Last week, I wrote about silly ways to celebrate days on the November calendar. This week, I write about a serious day to acknowledge: November 25. It is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As with Veterans Day on the 11th, this day is worthy of honoring.

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Letter to the editor – Patti Edwardson

To the editor, The first time I experienced an earthquake, it was so small my body did not sense it. I was only aware of the shaking of the earth when I noticed my parked car slightly swaying on its tires. A few years later, I felt a jolt that was unmistakably an earthquake. Even as the earth we live…

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Celebrate 365 days of the year

~a column by Colleen O’Brien Every day of November in the U.S. is a day to memorialize: there is the most revered, Veteran’s Day, on Nov. 11, as well as Thanksgiving, of course, this year on the 26th. But celebrating other days of the month might amuse you or appeal to you. Clean Your Refrigerator Day is on the 15th;…

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Grassley: Qs & As about adoption

~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q:  Why is adoption a public policy concern? A:  The family is the foundation of American society. For millions of Americans, the season of Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to count our blessings and give thanks for hearth and home. The safety, stability and security of a permanent, loving home reinforces for the next generation…

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