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 MoreCategory: Opinion
View 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…
Read MoreWhy 4-H still matters, now more than ever
Editor’s note – This editorial is an edited version of a History Chat by Craig Hertel at the Greene County Fair July 12. ~by Craig Hertel, retired Extension professional More than a century ago, rural America faced a challenge: how to spread new knowledge— especially in agriculture and home economics—to everyday people. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative…
Read MoreOur contraries
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The news of the day is too sickening for me to write about this week – I’m nauseated by ICE and their Gestapo antics, by the leader of our country for so many ways I don’t have the energy today to begin to list them, by the former Democratic leaders who seem to have disappeared…
Read MoreView from my window: Quality of life
July 13, 2025 I was recently at a conference where Laura Belin, the editor and publisher of Bleeding Heartland, spoke about the importance of citizens being present and making their voices known to their government representatives. We have recently observed such a scene playing out within our state. The quotes and information used is from National Public Radio following a…
Read MoreHistory repeating
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Books and movies about World War II have invited me in since I first fell in love with Iowa native William Schirer’s writing. He was a correspondent in Paris and then Germany for the Chicago Tribune, among other media. He eventually worked with Edward R. Murrow, stationed in London with CBS, in setting up reporters…
Read MoreKeep your fingers crossed
~a column by Colleen O’Brien They’re making me crazy right now, the Democrats. They’re hiding or sleeping or voting against impeaching the President. I would like just one of the famous ones – Obama, Hillary, Biden, Schumer — to take the reins with a whip and lead us in the charge against Project 25, Maga, Donald Trump, the Republicans. But…
Read MoreView from my window: Medicaid and Iowa’s dilemma
A pop up from a former Rippey resident came on my Facebook page three days ago. “In order to get on Medicaid, I’m needing to get a job. I have not been having luck finding something that would work for me. I’m only needing something for a minimum of 8 hours a month to qualify, willing to do more, just…
Read More