~a column by Colleen O’Brien On November 10, 1975, an iron ore carrier named the Edmund Fitzgerald sank with all hands off Whitefish Bay in Ontario waters of Lake Superior. Because singer songwriter Gordon Lightfoot wrote a ballad about it in 1976, the whole of North America was soon singing, and still sings, the sad song.
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Reason, anyone?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien This Thursday, Governor Branstad will proclaim as Iowa Day of Reason, to coincide with National Day of Reason. This is a laudatory action, and all Constitutionalists and separation-of-church-and-state folks no doubt can applaud.
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Greene Co Intermediate teachers
Mr Jim North and Webb House staff This past week students in 4th and 5th grades from Greene County Intermediate had the privilege of enjoying two separate days for our PBIS incentive day at our local Webb House in Jefferson.
Read MoreLetter the editor – Brian Phillips
Challenges and Successes The challenges that any young person faces today are far different than ever before. There are many variables: desensitization to overwhelming violence, acceptance of profanity as the norm, exposure to crippling family dysfunctions, vulnerability to unsettling TV programs, subjection to questionable music lyrics, and the list goes on and on. These are not isolated to Greene County,…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Adrienne Smith
To the editor regarding animal shelter Dear editor, I was not going to get involved in this, but I can’t walk away from it. It involves something near and dear to me. There’s a saying that a person can be judged on their character by how they treat animals. I am very disappointed in the lack of interest that the…
Read MoreBranstad’s opening statement to Senate foreign relations committee
(DES MOINES) – Today, Gov. Terry Branstad released his opening statement to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the Ambassadorship to China. Gov. Branstad’s opening statement, as prepared for delivery, is as follows: Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, and Members of the Committee, It is an honor to appear before you today as President Trump’s nominee to be…
Read MoreThe time of her life
~a column by Colleen O’Brien With a life’s worth of degrees — BA in music education and therapy, Masters in social work, MBA in international business – that could make her an excellent living financially, 62-year-old Michiganian Lorrie Douglas found her passion as a volunteer in her areas of study.
Read MoreBranstad reflects on 2017 legislative session
DES MOINES – Gov. Terry Branstad released a statement April 22 on the close of the 2017 legislative session: “As a former legislator, former lt. governor and chief executive of the state, I’ve worked with the Legislature for 33 years. When you look at the volume and diversity of policy issues that were addressed this year, I am proud to say…
Read MoreNorthey praises funding for water quality
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement following the closing of the 2017 legislative session. Northey’s statement follows here: “Iowa is recognized as a national leader for its collaborative, research-based efforts to improve water quality and we are proud of all the work that is being done on our farms and in communities across the state.
Read MoreLt Gov Reynolds reflects on 2017 legislative session
DES MOINES – On Saturday, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds released a statement on the close of the 2017 legislative session: I’m proud of the progress we made this year in making Iowa an even greater place to live, work and raise a family. We saw legislators from both rural and urban areas come together and address many of the priorities the governor…
Read MoreWilliams, Clouse discuss ‘stand your ground’ gun law
Greene County sheriff Jack Williams and Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse agree that new gun legislation signed into law by Governor Branstad last week could hinder their efforts in schools. They disagree on the impact the “stand your ground” language could have in public places. Republicans, including Branstad, say the changes return the Second Amendment right to bear arms to…
Read MoreTalk to a Muslim
~a column by Colleen O’Brien When interviewed by Krista Tippet on the National Public Radio Show “On Being,” Samar D. Jarrah, of the Islamic faith, said, “I have lectured to thousands of Americans. No one has ever asked me a question about science, as if all that Islam has given to humanity is a bunch of nutcase terrorists.”
Read More