~a column by Colleen O’Brien In the past 25 years, a world of hurt and fright has hit our news media with regularity — 50 to 60 mass killings have occurred in the U.S. The phrase “mass killing” is four or more dead and less menacing to us than its synonym “massacre.” A massacre is defined as “killing a number…
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Letter to the editor – John Thompson
After undercover videos revealed that Planned Parenthood was selling baby parts I attended a rally with my fiancée, MacKenzie Dreeszen. MacKenzie posted a photograph of the protest outside of a Des Moines Planned Parenthood clinic resulting in immediate backlash from her sorority, Delta Phi Delta, at Cornell College.
Read MoreQ & A: New K-12 education law
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is the Every Student Succeeds Act? A: In the first rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since 2001, the Republican-led Congress restored a much greater degree of local control and decision-making authority to parents, teachers and local school board members in December with bipartisan passage of the Every Student Succeeds…
Read More315 million people and as many guns*
~a column by Colleen O’Brien That there is a link between gun possession and gun assault sounds like a no-brainer of a thought. Without the gun, there would be no gun assault.
Read MoreCandidate Chris Christie speaks in Jefferson
New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, Republican candidate for president, talked with about 50 persons at the Uptown Café in Jefferson Dec. 4. Christie was up close and personal, using a conversational style as he stood in the center of the room surrounded by potential voters. Christie is in his second four-year term as governor of New Jersey. He led his…
Read MoreLetter 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…
Read MoreLesson 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…
Read MoreNorthey: $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…
Read MoreQuid pro quo, tit for tat . . . and other fair trade agreements
~a column by Colleen O’Brien A health class at Stanford University having to do with the mind-body connection teaches students that one of the best things a man can do for his health is to get married, and one of the best things a female can do for her health is to hang out with her girlfriends. I’ve read it…
Read MoreElected 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.
Read MoreTree 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…
Read MoreA 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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