To the editor, People celebrated “No Kings” rallies as very successful and largest of all time. At least it was relatively peaceful and no buildings were burnt to the ground. We have 343 million citizens in the U.S. with only 7 million protesting. That equates to 2 percent in the rally. That doesn’t even equate to a small pimple on…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Letter to the editor – D. McDermott re: Iowa Central bond renewal
Our region faces a growing demand for skilled workers in health care, trades, and agriculture. Iowa Central Community College is stepping up to meet those needs, but it requires updated facilities and resources to continue leading in workforce training. The proposed bond renewal funds programs in welding, plumbing, HVAC, nursing, dental hygiene, and agriculture science. All these fields are critical…
Read MoreD. Lautner – A trifecta for the old gymnasium
Has anyone ever considered what a blessing the community has that the gym at the corner of Vine and Monroe is still standing? Build around 1952, it was considered the best and most modern in southwest Iowa in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was prized for sectional tournament play, and on several occasions three sectional games would be played…
Read MoreA walk in the park
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I, along with 6,999,999 other Americans, took a walk this last Saturday. We were on streets, along rivers in big cities and in front of county courthouses in small burgs. We were venting, in a genial way. Our dissatisfaction with the current administration. We were friendly to one another and to the local cops, who…
Read MoreView from my window – Women, public safety, and broken glass ceilings
October 19, 2025 Recently Sac County, one of Greene County’s neighboring rural counties, swore in a woman as sheriff. She is currently the only female sheriff in the State of Iowa. I was pleased to read about 32-year-old Katie Stange being identified first as interim and then appointed by the board of supervisors as the Sac County sheriff. This followed …
Read MoreDarren Jackson re: his candidacy for Jefferson city council
Hello, my name is Darren Jackson. I was asked by some why I am running for reelection to the Jefferson City Council. This letter is in response to that inquiry. I have proudly served on the council for several years and have been happy to have been a part of Jefferson’s success.I want to continue to be a part of…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Support Ahrenholtz, Jackson, Winkelman for Jeff council
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 MoreTo 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…
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