News from JacksonHeraldTODAY

School systems’ yearly salaries top $64 million

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Friday, February 6. 2009

Even as state leaders discuss budget cuts that could affect education funding, a survey of local education salaries indicates it is not the underpaid profession it once was. Among Jackson County’s three school systems, 15 people made over $100,000 per year and another 46 made between $80,000-$99,999, according to state records for fiscal year ... [Full Story »]

EDITORIAL: Foreclosures should weigh on tax assessments

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

One of the things that many local government officials are frightened of is that the county’s tax digest might go down in this economy. That would force local governments to either cut spending, or raise the millage rate — they are loath to do either. But property taxpayers are asking a legitimate question: Why did property assessments go ... [Full Story »]

Pendergrass amends $18,000 budget shortfall

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

The Pendergrass City Council voted unanimously to amend the 2008 budget by $18,212 last week due to shortfalls. “We spent $18,000 more than we took in,” city administrator Rob Russell said. “We were under budget, but we were $12,000 over in gasoline for the patrol cars.” Russell said the remaining $6,212 was due to other minor budget ... [Full Story »]

JPD officer placed on leave

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, February 4. 2009

Jefferson police officer Robert Fehr has been placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation is under way into possible criminal activity. Jefferson police chief Joe Wirthman confirmed Monday that Fehr had been placed on leave, but said he could not elaborate on the allegations because the investigation was still under way. He ... [Full Story »]

EDITORIAL: A few state cutback ideas

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Thursday, January 29. 2009

State Rep. Tommy Benton said this week that while he gets a lot of calls to cut state spending, few people will give him specific suggestions on where to cut. We have a suggestion: Everywhere. Just like a lot of local governments, the state government became bloated during the housing bubble. Money flowed into the state budget and was quickly ... [Full Story »]

Statewide tornado drill set

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, January 28. 2009

A statewide tornado drill will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. The week — Feb. 1-7 — will include “Family Preparedness Day” on Sunday, “NOAA Alert Radio Day” on Monday, “Thunderstorm Safety” on Tuesday, “Lighting Safety” on Thursday and “Flooding” on Friday, which is also a backup ...

Developer seeks commercial variances on bypass

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, January 28. 2009

A developer is seeking buffer and parking space variances for a proposed commercial development on the Jefferson bypass. The Gipson/Loggins Company is asking for the variances for a 9.41-acre tract on the northwest corner of U.S. Hwy. 129 and the Old Pendergrass Road. Jay Gipson presented the requests to the Quad Cities Planning Commission last ... [Full Story »]

Sales taxes tumble

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, January 28. 2009

Sales tax revenues in Jackson County fell sharply in November, dropping 28 percent from November 2007. That decline was the worst monthly drop in 2008 for the county. Officials said if December shows another large decline, the county could end 2008 $575,000 under what had been anticipated for the year. The county had budgeted $6.3 million in ... [Full Story »]

COLUMN: The contradictions of our nation’s soul

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Thursday, January 22. 2009

America is great because its citizens have the ability to simultaneously embrace multiple and conflicting views and to change those views over time. That salient fact of American character was proven again on Tuesday when Barack Obama was Inaugurated as the nation’s 44th President. The exhilaration of the event was obvious. As the nation’s ... [Full Story »]

LETTER: Americans living beyond their means

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, January 21. 2009

Dear Editor: My name is Danny Kofke and I am a special education teacher at Gum Springs Elementary School in Jackson County and an author. I enjoyed reading Mike Buffington’s column, “Seeing clearly in economic storm.” I believe that we (as a country) lived way above our means and that this current economic situation might be a good thing ... [Full Story »]

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