Museum In Jefferson To Highlight Global Company
The Greene County Historical Society invites everyone to the museum in Jefferson on Sunday for a free event.
Member Chuck Offenburger says they will be highlighting American Athletic Incorporated’s 60th Anniversary this year with a presentation by its founder Bill Sorenson.
A Jefferson native, Sorenson began making trampoline prototypes in his garage and soon grew the company to the world’s largest manufacturer of gymnastics equipment.
The free event is something that the historical society’s president Ces Brunow is hoping to turn into a continuing series that spotlight thriving businesses in the community.
It will be at 2:30pm on Sunday, August 3rd with free refreshments to follow.
Greene County Schools Announce 2014-15 Enrollment Date
The Greene County School District will be hosting its back-to-school registration on Monday, August 4th.
Business Manager Brenda Muir says all Greene County students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grade can register for the 2014-15 school year from 8am-7pm at the high school building in Jefferson.
To make the registration process faster, each student must have their cell, home and work phone numbers and emergency contact information including doctor preference if the school is unable to reach the student’s parents.
Those looking to apply for full or partial waiver for student fees must meet guidelines for the Child Nutrition Program. Full waivers will also be granted by the school for student fees if a family is qualified through criteria by the Family Investment Program, Supplemental Security Income or the Transportation Assistance under Open Enrollment. Waivers must be completed prior to the all-school registration date on August 4th.
School pictures will not be taken during registration, instead, they are scheduled for October 7th.
If you can’t make it to the registration date, parents or guardians must make arrangements with the student’s building staff and no early registrations will be allowed.
The 2014-15 school year for students begins on Wednesday, August 20th.
Iowa Racing And Gaming Commission Discourages Anymore Casino Applications
A little more than one month after Greene County was granted a gaming license, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission decided Thursday to discourage any further casino applications for the next three years.
The decision came following chairman Jeff Lamberti’s reappointment to the chair of the Commission for his final three year term. The other Commissioners agreed with Lamberti’s comments.
Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation President Norm Fandel says Lamberti didn’t put a moratorium so that no applications could be brought to the Commission, but instead they would only allow special or unique situations to be considered.
The Commission voted 3-2 on June 12th for a casino to be built in Greene County and denied Linn County its casino opportunity in April saying that by having a facility in Cedar Rapids could do severe harm to surrounding casinos which is what led the Commission to make the decision to strongly urge against accepting any new applications.
Along with Wild Rose Jefferson, there are two other gaming facilities that will open within the next two years and those include a location in Davenport and Sioux City.
Wild Rose Jefferson is expected to open its facility by August of 2015.
August Is Critical Month For Crops
After Greene County saw twice its normal precipitation amounts in June and a fairly dry July, August is the typical critical month for area crops.
West Central Cooperative Field Agronomist Scott Shannon says this month is usually the “make-it-or-break-it” month for soybeans. Right now, he believes the crop is good, but there needs to days with over 90-degree heat and a late season shower to help it along.
As for corn, Shannon thinks it is doing better than last year. He states that if there’s no more measurable rainfall left before harvest, that the subsoil moisture levels will help carry corn into harvest without much damage or loss of yields.
The National Weather Service says there’s only a slight chance of rain for the area on Sunday and nothing else until next Wednesday.
Registration Still Being Accepted For Hot August Night In Jefferson
There’s still time to register your vehicle for the annual Hot August Night Car, Truck, Motorcycle and Tractor Show in Jefferson.
Greene County Chamber Director Chris Henning says last year, they had over 400 vehicles and 1,500 people attend the free event all around the downtown square in Jefferson.
Henning points out that the first 250 registrations for this year will receive a free t-shirt commemorating the event and the auto club that has the most people sign up will receive a $250 prize.
Other recognitions include People’s Choice awards for auto, truck, motorcycle and tractor spirit award. Plus, you can enjoy a meal for a small fee and there will be lots of free watermelon.
The 7th Annual Crusin’ To The Square, Hot August Night will be from 5-8pm on Thursday, August 14th.
For more information, call the Chamber at 386-2155 during normal business hours.