Final Wizard of Oz Show for the Community Players of Greene County is Tonight
The public is invited to the final production of the Wizard of Oz by the Community Players of Greene County.
Director Sheilah McGregor Pound says they started rehearsals in January and points out that it was difficult at times to get everyone together, since it is a large cast, but they made it work and rehearsals went smoothly. Pound especially thanks Ronda Kendall, who helped train a live dog to play Toto.
She adds that there are lots of similarities with their performance compared to the movie, but they had to be creative with some aspects since the show is live and not through video.
Tonight’s show is at 7pm at the Greene County High School auditorium. Tickets for the shows are $12.50 per person and are available at the door.
The cast list can be found below.
Dorothy: Samantha Hardaway
Scarecrow: Michael Kennedy
Tinman: Tim Pound
Cowardly Lion: Josh Tuel
Wicked Witch of the West: Teresa Cross
Wizard of Oz: Darren Jackson
Glinda the Good Witch: Danielle Johnson
Auntie Em: Linda Nichols
Uncle Henry: Pete Bardole
Elmira Gulch: Laura Clark
Oz Guard: Avery Bardole
Town Hall Meeting Scheduled in Jefferson
Anyone interested in learning about various projects that are going on in Greene County are invited to the next town hall meeting next week.
Economic Development Director Ken Paxton says the meeting will take place on Monday, March 21st at 6pm at the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson.
The evening will begin with Jefferson City Administrator Mike Palmer talking about the downtown revitalization Community Development Block Grant, along with updates on the former Linda’s Fashion building and restoring 205 North Wilson. Other speakers include Jefferson Matters: Main Street Program Director Peg Raney, Greene County Schools Superintendent Tim Christensen, Greene County Medical Center Community Relations Director Carla Offenburger, Greene County Chamber Tourism and Events Coordinator Angie Pedersen and Greene County Early Learning Center Director Cherie Cerveny. Plus, Paxton says Small Business Development Center Program Director Stefanie Koenig will be on hand.
“It’s a group that helps new businesses or people who want to start a new business. It helps them develop their business plan, their financials and their financial projections. It’s a wonderful service and GCDC (Greene County Development Corporation) supports this organization and helps fund it. This is a free service to anyone who wants it.”
It is free and open to the public.
Greene County Law Enforcement Uses Taser to Subdue Suspect Following Alleged Incident
A Jefferson man is in custody after law enforcement subdued him using a taser.
Police Chief Mark Clouse says following an alleged domestic abuse incident that occurred on Monday, a woman spoke to an officer Wednesday morning about allegedly receiving harassing and suicidal threatening text messages from her estranged husband. Officers worked with her cell phone to “ping” 40 year-old Branden Gerrick Smith’s cellphone to obtain his location. It came back that he was in the Des Moines area and the Des Moines Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol were contacted for their assistance in locating Smith.
Officers continued to “ping” Smith’s cellphone and found that he was in Perry around 8pm Wednesday. The Perry Police Department was then contacted, but they were unsuccessful in finding him. Just after midnight Thursday, the Jefferson Police Officers learned that Smith was picked up by a family member in Perry and they were heading back to Jefferson. It was reported that Smith was going to turn himself in to the law enforcement center.
A Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy assisted by following the vehicle once it crossed the county line. A police officer drove to Rippey to follow the vehicle as well and when it reached Jefferson, the vehicle stopped in the 100 block of North Cedar Street. Smith exited the vehicle and ignored the officer’s commands to stop and surrender, Smith said he wanted to go into his house and change clothing before he turned himself in. After several verbal commands were ignored and a deputy told Smith several more times that he would use his taser, the deputy then deployed the taser. Only one probe connected to Smith as he continued to be noncompliant. As the deputy and officers were trying to take Smith to the ground to apprehend him, the deputy deployed a “drive stun” with his taser to Smith’s upper back, which allowed law enforcement to take him into custody.
Smith was then booked into the Greene County Jail and charged with a misdemeanor for interference with official acts and warrants for a Class D Felony for his third offense for domestic abuse assault and a simple misdemeanor for assault.
The warrants were a result from the March 14th incident in the 300 block of East Lincoln Way, when an officer determined there was probable cause for domestic abuse charges. A male party at the residence fled after allegedly assaulting the female victim and another male was also allegedly assaulted by Smith as he was fleeing the scene.
Greene County School Board Meeting Recap
About 50 people attended the Greene County School Board meeting Wednesday.
During the open forum, Heather Hinote spoke to the Board about the firing of her husband, Jeremy Hinote as head boys basketball coach. She felt it was a hurtful attack and wanted to know why the Board didn’t want him as the coach anymore. As per the Board’s policy, they couldn’t address the issue because it wasn’t an agenda item. However, the Board did say there was a grievance procedure that employees and students must follow before it can be presented to the Board.
Celli Whipple spoke to the Board about keeping lines of communication open and wanted to know about getting coaching positions filled. She also suggested sending coaches to seminars and clinics like the district does for teachers every year. Again, the Board didn’t directly address the issue since it wasn’t on the agenda.
The Board discussed the bus barn lease agreement with the Greene County Fair Board. With the district’s current lease agreement to end in June, the Board wanted to go forward with a short-term lease agreement and inquire the possibility of purchasing the former National Guard Armory building from the County.
The Board then set April 13th at 5:15pm for a special meeting to conduct three public hearings. One will be on the 2016-17 school calendar, another will be on the 2016-17 budget and an amendment to the 2015-16 budget.
The Board approved revising the graduation requirements to allow students to take aquaculture to receive a science credit, a shared agreement with Southeast Webster Grand to share the curriculum director for one day per week, a shared agreement with Ogden to share the media specialist for one day per month, refinance the 2007 sales tax revenue bonds from four percent to 1.75 percent interest rate, reappointed Superintendent Tim Christensen to the Bell Tower Community Foundation Board, the spring officials, a new high school club called Live Action Role Playing, the Kebecca Education Services contract and purchasing 250 Google Chromebooks at a cost of $65,937.50.
The Board also approved to terminate two positions with middle school physical education teacher Ryan Eberly and high school food and sciences teacher Lisa Hansen, due to budgetary reasons.
The Board additionally approved the Dixon Scholarship parameters to allocate 15 scholarships per year at $2,000 per scholarship for the next 20 years, a list of additional fundraisers as presented, purchasing a new van at $27,616.39 and replacing carpet in three elementary classrooms for over $12,000 from the physical plant and equipment levy fund.
The meeting ended in a closed session to evaluate the superintendent.
2016 Boating Registrations Due By May 1st
Spring and summer are upon us and that means boating season is right around the corner.
Residents are reminded to register their boats by May 1st to avoid a $5 penalty. Greene County Recorder Marcia Tasler says notices went out to those who have registered their boats in the past. However, if you have moved, Tasler requests that you need to call her office to get your address updated for future registration mailings.
A new three year option started in 2013 and this is the first year that those renewals will happen. If you recently purchased a boat privately, you must present proof of title, registration and bill of sale to get your boat registered with the county.
Call the recorder’s office with any questions at 386-5670.