Investigation Continues Of An Attempted Abduction In Grand Junction
On Monday, an attempted abduction of a three-year old girl was reported to have taken place in Grand Junction.
Greene County Sheriff Steve Haupert says Tauwana Laue was walking with her daughter and the family’s pit bull when she said she saw a white van approach her daughter who was on a bicycle about a half a block away from her at the intersection of 12th Street South and Hager Street. Then a white male wearing a ski mask came out of the van and tried to grab the three-year old.
That’s when the pit bull broke free of its leash and attacked the alleged abductor forcing the male to drop Laue’s daughter and the van then took off.
Since the incident happened close to the Greene County Intermediate School, there was video surveillance of that exact intersection which Haupert noted didn’t have any of the situation recorded that Laue had described. However, he states that they are taking this matter seriously but adds that there are consequences for false reporting.
Deputies recovered blood from the canine that will be sent to the Criminalistics Laboratory in Ankeny for further testing and Laue has agreed to take a polygraph test to determine the validity of her statement.
In the meantime, Haupert is asking for anyone with information about the incident or if they can corroborate Laue’s story and verify the description of a white van with no windows or license plates that was seen on Monday morning near the intersection of 12th Street South and Hager Street around 11:38am to call the Law Enforcement Center in Jefferson at 386-2136.
Hy-Vee Incorporated Making Great Strides In Jefferson
Hy-Vee Incorporated’s construction project in Jefferson is making great strides at their location on Washington Street.
Last week, construction crews started installing prefabricated concrete walls for the 34,000-square foot facility.
Director of Media Relations Tara Deering-Hansen says their new location will be a 24-hour facility with a full-service restaurant with an outdoor dining option along with a bakery and meat departments and a wine and spirits section.
Plus, there will be a private organization who will also operate the attached 7,500-square foot clinic space.
The total cost of the construction project is $8 million.
She anticipates the new location to be completed by sometime late winter or early 2015.
First-Ever Cemetery Walk In Jefferson Is Tomorrow
Everyone is invited to the first-ever “cemetery walk” at the Jefferson City Cemetery on Sunday hosted by the Greene County Historical Society.
Member Chuck Offenburger says the event will feature six notable figures from the County’s historic past that will played by local actors and actresses.
Attendees should meet at the historical building at 3pm on Sunday at the Greene County Fairgrounds and buses will take you to and from the Jefferson City Cemetery. Following the walk will be a chili feed and live musical entertainment back at the fairgrounds at 5pm.
In case of rain or cold weather, the cemetery portrayals will be performed in the historical society’s fairgrounds building.
Tickets for the first-ever event are $10 and can be purchased by any historical society member.
Habitat For Humanity Plans Several Ceremonies In Jefferson Tomorrow
Habitat for Humanity would like to invite the public to three ceremonies in Jefferson on Sunday.
The first is a groundbreaking ceremony at 901 West Washington Street at 1:30pm for a house that is being renovated on the interior and exterior.
Justin and Megan Saffle along with their two children were selected as the family for the home. Executive Director Erich Kretzinger says they will work side-by-side with Habitat volunteers to complete the project and they will pay for it through a zero-percent interest loan with Habitat for Humanity.
Following that will be two dedication ceremonies for recently completed projects by Habitat’s Helping Hands program in Jefferson.
Violet Goodwin’s home at 606 West State Street has a new roof and new outside paint and that ceremony will be at 2:30pm. Another project at 502 North Vine Street is the home of Harold Elliot. He has a new roof and outside paint along with a new backdoor entrance.
The public will be able to tour all of the homes following each ceremony.
Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers. To help, call them at 515-432-1168.
Shopping Locally In Jefferson
In an effort to generate more local spending and putting local area businesses first, the Jefferson Matters: Main Street Promotions Committee is putting on their “Think Local/Shop Local” campaign.
Committee Member Deb McGinn says from now until November 15th, you will have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to participating downtown area businesses. Just pick up a punch card at the Printer’s Box, Homestead Coffee and Bakery or Greene Bean Coffee and fill out the entire card at the participating area businesses to be eligible for the drawing.
McGinn notes that you don’t have to purchase anything, just get your card filled out. Plus, while you’re at any of the participating area businesses, you can learn about why it’s important to shop locally with posters of information and it will allow you to find out about other great deals going on in Jefferson.
Punch cards must be turned into the Printer’s Box by November 15th to be eligible for the drawing.