To the editor, As longtime residents of Jefferson, we are filled with immense pride at the positive achievements happening here! So much has been accomplished in our community, especially in the last decade, to make it attractive and welcoming. The culture here in Jefferson is one of collaboration to reach shared goals. We’d like to see that forward momentum continue!…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
To the editor – City, school election
October 17, 2025 The classic film It’s a Wonderful Life makes you wonder what your town would look like without committed, positive leadership. I truly believe that without the progressive vision of the last 10-12 years, our Jefferson wouldn’t be the vibrant community it is today. Think about what we’ve achieved: the Wild Rose Casino, the new high school and…
Read MoreFarming, the oldest, most unpredictable necessity, and other things
~a column by Colleen O’Brien “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” as Mr Rogers always said. The early morning pink sky is deepening into the day’s blue, revealing puffy sheep pretending to be clouds gamboling past. It’s mid-October, and a dazzling autumn it has been – at first too hot to breathe, then suddenly too chilly to get out…
Read MoreTo the editor – School rankings
Those of you interested in how the Greene County School District compares to the other 324 districts in Iowa should read “2026 Best School Districts in Iowa” put out by NICHE Best Schools. The ranking is based on seven different grades – Academic grade, 50%; Teacher grade, 15%; Culture & diversity grade, 12.5%; Parent/student surveys on overall experience, 12.5%; Resource…
Read MoreView from my window: Signs of a cold winter
October 5, 2025 Today I am taking a break from discussing the political polarization that is occurring in our country, not that I have given up on learning what is in the Epstein files, but rather just so very tired of the political maneuvering being done by ICE and other atrocities coming from this administration. So, we are going to…
Read MoreView from my window: Forming values
September 21, 2025 I have not written since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Any murder is a tragedy and unfortunate and should be considered unacceptable. While I did not accept his beliefs, I can hold two thoughts in my head at the same time. Sorry it happened, while not agreeing with his statements. The reaction of the public to this…
Read MoreHistory repeats itself
Prologue – I survived the Dog Days of this summer, 2025, in Jefferson. I came across a copy of a column I wrote about the Dog Days of Summer, 1999. GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Tori Riley republishes it here: I’ve spent the dog days of the summer of ’99 in Jefferson, my hometown. It’s been a hot, humid, cicada summer, like all…
Read MoreView from my window – Crisis in the health of the public
September 7, 2025 As most of you know I am a former public health nurse. The actions of the United States Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are alarming and anxiety producing for me, and should be for you. The actions of Gov. DeSantis of Florida make me grateful that we sold our condominium in a little…
Read MoreView from my window: The stroke of a pen
This is a written conversation with you about the political weaponizing of water. We are going to begin with basic definitions and abbreviations. Governing as defined in a dictionary means the act or process of directing, controlling, or guiding the actions, policies or affairs of a group, organization, state, or community. “Good governing when done well, fairly, wisely, and responsibly…
Read MoreView from my window – Nancy Drew goes to Pleasant Hill Cemetery
The original Nancy Drew mystery books were written by an Iowan, Mildred Augustine. She was raised in Ladora and graduated from the University of Iowa. The Nancy Drew author is credited with writing 23 of the first 30 mystery books in the 1930’s but was never identified as Ms. Augustine. The pen name of Carolyn Keene was used for all…
Read MoreA very short column
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Reconnoitering my current lifescape, I reflect on the many choices I do not have, starting , with #1, my gas and electric company, whose products and services are essential to modern life, and so we live with the monopolies and their regular price hikes or have no heat or AC in our homes. #2, I…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – W. Taylor
Re: Library expansion project Hello. My name is Wendy Taylor. I am the vice president of the Friends of the Jefferson Iowa Public Library (FoL) and liaison to the library staff. At our board meeting last night, I realized we FoL board members are hearing some confusion, disappointment, and even some frustration from community members about the proposed library expansion…
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