A veteran looks back December 1, 1969, was a changing day in my life. On that day was the first military draft lottery since WWII. The lottery used birthdays to determine the random order in which you would be chosen for military service in 1970 during the Vietnam war. At that time I was a senior at Northwest Missouri State…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Open letter to the Greene County supervisors re: bitcoin mining, submitted by R. Nielson
To the Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors, Greene County, lA, 07 NOV 2025 An Open Letter Concerning Bitcoin Mining, as reviewed in the Jefferson Herald newspaper I submit this letter of opinion under Citizen’s duress, and in disagreement to the creation and/or operation of any such venture enterprises in Greene County in exchange for a tax abatement with…
Read MoreView from my window – Quilts of Valor awarded to Greene County veterans
On Sunday, Nov. 2, there was a special awards ceremony at the David M. Mosher VFW Post 9599 in Jefferson. Six military veterans received recognition from Perry Piecemakers Quilts of Valor. The ceremony began with leader Pat Mundy providing an explanation of the founder, Catherine Roberts, having a vivid dream in 2003 of a soldier in anguish that was lessened…
Read MoreWhat to do now?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien When a government whose business is the welfare of its people honestly enhances a population, those people then work with strength because they trust that government, and goodwill and generosity flow both ways because they have reason to trust one another. Sounds like a pipe dream, doesn’t it? But these are words that stand behind the…
Read MoreLetter to the editor, D. Lautner
To the editor, in reference to Deb McGinn’s letter dated Oct. 26, 2025 For one, I’m glad we have art on the walls of our alleyways. Safety is one of my main concerns when I hustle down those downtown spaces, trying to avoid a mugging or molestation. Before the wall art, I used to “pack heat,” but since the wall…
Read MoreMore about train travel
From the publisher – My brother RJ Chulski and his wife Ginger Royston enjoy using Amtrak for long distance travel. They enjoy the leisurely pace with neither of them driving. They ride in a private roomette, not in the coach as columnist Colleen O’Brien wrote about a week ago. In September they took Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to see their Michigan…
Read MoreCommon sense isn’t enough – council members need vision, too
~by GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Victoria Riley Common sense is important for city council members and school members to have and exhibit. Common sense tells city council members that if there’s a giant pothole at the busiest intersection in town, it should be fixed. But, in the three decades I’ve been paying attention to what city councils do, common sense isn’t enough.…
Read MoreA sad loss
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I traveled the Midwest this past summer by “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”* I also took a bus called Jefferson Lines, although with the once well-known Greyhound emblazoned on its flanks. They all got me where I needed to go, only one of them 12 hours later for an hour and a half trip (airline), and…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. Lautner re: Iowa Central bond issue
To the editor, We as voters in the 9-county region will be voting “yes” or “no” on the upcoming $35 million bond issue on Nov. 4, 2025. I have questions about three statements that have recently been stated. !. Doug McDermott’s Letter to the Editor that can be found on GreeneCountyNewsOnline states “that ICCC is a cornerstone of our community,…
Read MoreGCCF 2026 grant apps available Nov. 1
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle of the Greene County Community Foundation will be available on its website Nov. 1, 2025. On April 6, 2025, the Greene County Community Foundation (GCCF) distributed grants to 21 projects totaling $251,409. This amount was a combined total of monies received from Grow Greene County ($175,000) and accessed funds from the GCCF endowment ($76,407). There were…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: D. Lautner on Iowa high school football playoffs
To the editor, On the 18th of October the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the pairings for Class 2A, 1A, A and 8-player games. Class 5A, 4A, and 3A still had another regular season game to play. Well, each of the four bottom classes have 32 teams each that advance to the playoffs set up by the IHSAA. Looking…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: D. McGinn, public art and the council election
Dear Editor, Public art is more than just decoration downtown — it’s a vital part of our town’s identity, culture, and economy. From murals to sculptures these works of art enrich our daily lives, spark conversations, and foster a sense of community pride. In renovating our alleyways, this significantly improves safety and accessibility in these once overlooked spaces. By creating…
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