Fire Found Not Suspicious Near Paton
The Greene County Sheriff’s office investigated an abandoned farm house fire this week.
Sheriff Steve Haupert says at 3:29am on Wednesday, a neighbor reported a farm house fire at 2012 110th Street, north of Paton. When deputies and the Paton and Grand Junction Fire departments arrived on scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames. It was determined that the building had been vacant for over 20 years, and so when the fire was contained, Haupert adds that they let it collapse into the basement. The home is owned by Loise Anderson.
No one was hurt in the incident and Haupert notes that they couldn’t find any evidence of suspicious activity.
An Overturned Raft on the Raccoon River Near Jefferson Results in No Injuries to Four Teens
Four teens survived a scare Wednesday evening when their raft capsized on the Raccoon River southwest of Jefferson.
Greene County Sheriff Steve Haupert says around 9pm, a deputy, a Jefferson Police Officer and the Jefferson Fire Department responded to a call about a rafting accident on the river between a boat ramp at Danger Hill and the Grimmell Road Bridge, south of Jefferson.
Haupert states that the raft got caught on a log jam and capsized, forcing all four youth into the river. The teens were able to make it to shore, but were unsure of their exact location. An officer found the rafters and the fire department used their rescue boat to take them to safety. Haupert notes that this is the second time this summer the fire department used their boat for a river rescue.
He reminds everyone to have a flotation device and wear lifejackets when traveling on the river. Haupert also advises residents to avoid swirling water, because there could be an obstruction that you can’t see on the surface.
No one was injured in the incident and crews were on scene for about two and a half hours.
Historic Farm Re-Enactment Event this Weekend Near Jefferson
Everyone is invited to a free weekend event near Jefferson.
The 16th Annual Old-Fashioned Threshing Bee will be held at Pleasant Prairie Farm and Foster Timmons Farm this Saturday and Sunday. Organizer Nick Foster says there will be historic farm re-enactments of oat threshing demonstrations each day. They will use two machines from the 1890-1920 time period.
The demonstration times are 10am and 2pm on Saturday and 1 and 3pm on Sunday. The public will also get the opportunity to use the machines. Foster explains the importance of why they let people try the hands-on experience.
“We want people in society today to understand that at this period of time, people actually worked together. All the farmers and the community people worked together. All the labor and the equipment was usually shared. They all worked together in a positive manner and that’s what we want to portray.”
Other activities include a steam plowing demonstration at 4pm on Saturday, the Pleasant Prairie Band and a free barbecue meal will be served at 6pm on Saturday and there is a tractor ride at 7am on Sunday. Foster notes that the tractor ride will go from their farm to Lohrville for breakfast and then head back to the farm. There will also be an antique tractor and truck show both days.
The event is free and open to the public. Pleasant Prairie Farm is located at 1176 M Avenue, northwest of Jefferson.
Churdan Library Offers Another Fundraiser and Shares Expansion Plans
The Churdan Public Library invites everyone to a fundraiser for their building expansion project.
Library Director Shari Minnehan says everyone can stop by 701 Head Street to celebrate one of their board members, Joanne Legore’s variety of quilts that will be on display. The event is a free will donation, with all proceeds to go to the library’s building expansion project.
Minnehan states that their expansion will be to the north of the library and some of the plans for the new space include additional programming, more electronics and an arts-and-crafts area. She points out that libraries are becoming more like media areas with support materials to help people with their lives. Parts of the existing building will also be remodeled.
Fundraising for the project started in December of 2013 and they’ve raised $50,000 of the $250,000, so far. Minnehan says the goal is to raise enough money so they can apply for matching grants.
“It gets to be tricky. There’s a wonderful assortment of grants for programming and books and those kinds of things, but we are finding it a little more difficult to find those grants that really help with the brick-and-mortar part of an addition.”
This weekend’s event will be from 1 to 3pm on Sunday. Light refreshments will also be served. To make a donation or for other fundraising ideas, contact the Churdan Library at 515-389-3423.
To view the floor plans and the outside of the project, click on the links below.
Churdan Floor Plan Revised-C.1- 5.1.14
Churdan Floor Plan Revised-ELEVATIONS
Water and Sewer Rates to Change Soon for Jefferson Residents
Jefferson residents will soon see an increase on their water and sewer rates.
City Administrator Mike Palmer says the City Council originally approved a three percent increase for each utility in March. Now that the new fiscal year started, Palmer notes that the Council has to go through its process to change the rates. The increase is built into the City’s budget every year and it is used to increase the utility’s revenues.
Palmer notes that the City raises water and sewer rates by small increments every year.
“It’s always been the Council’s belief to just raise them on small levels. It sure beats having a big raise. I’ve seen too many communities where they wait and have a 20 or 30 percent rate increase and that hurts a lot. Nobody likes an increase but small increments (or have seemed) to work well for the City over the years.”
The rate increase for a single person is about $.77 per month for both water and sewer. For a family of four, Palmer says it’s about $2.50 more per month.
It is an ordinance change and so it must go through three required readings before the increase takes effect. Palmer adds that residents may see the change as early as September.