Monthly Archives: November 2016

Nov 18

All-private faceoff for 1A football championship, again

The Class 1A title game is a a rematch from last year, and it’s Iowa City Regina against Western Christian. In six years, only two public schools have played in the 1A final: St. Ansgar, which won in 2011, the … Continue reading

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Nov 17

Gladbrook-Reinbeck has chance to repeat football title

Despite a very tumultuous and contentious year off the field for the Gladbrook-Reinbeck school district, the Rebels football team played a perfect season and has a chance to win its second consecutive state championship. Last year, GR beat Akron-Westfield 52-20 … Continue reading

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Nov 16

The last time the county voted for…

Donald Trump’s near-sweep of Iowa in the 2016 election is even more shocking when you take it into longer-term context. The only time in the past half-century that the Democratic candidate failed to win at least 10 counties in Iowa … Continue reading

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Nov 15

No room at the inn for ‘No Vacancy’ signs

August 2, 2016: The “No Vacancy” neon on the right side of the sign for the Big 12 Motel in Broken Bow, Nebraska, is as unfashionable as references to the Big 12 in Nebraska. From the “I noticed this and … Continue reading

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Nov 14

Mount Union disincorporation passes by one vote

Sixty-three votes were cast in a referendum on whether Mount Union should continue to exist as a town in Iowa. The vote was tied on Tuesday and was decided by one absentee ballot. The town will dissolve. (Story via KCCI, … Continue reading

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Nov 11

chicagomg

Over this decade, I have typically ended up driving through the Chicago area in one trip a year, usually hewing close to I-80. This year, however, I had set myself up to do it twice in a week — a … Continue reading

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Nov 10

Republicans expand rural reach in Iowa

New York Times visualization of the 2016 presidential vote by county. Note that the Driftless Area (NE IA, SW WI, SE MN) tilted Republican, and while not strongly so, it’s in deep, stark contrast to the 2008 map. First, go read … Continue reading

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Nov 09

Presentation on Floyd intersection tonight

October 4, 2016: Around the US 18/218 split at Floyd, the speed limit on the Avenue of the Saints drops to 55 mph. A meeting tonight about “proposed improvements” at the US 18/218 intersection in Floyd will include a presentation, … Continue reading

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Nov 08

Election Day

August 6, 2016: Seen in Brule, Nebraska. If Sweet Meteor O’Death does not grace us with his presence today it will be because he has decided we’re not worth it. GO SMOD! November 6, 2016: This campaign sign at the north … Continue reading

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Nov 07

Answering the important questions

From the top of the FAQ for Iowa City Liberty High School, opening in 2017 (and causing a minor future scheduling headache for the Mississippi Valley Conference): (BTW: “Child Centered: Future Focused”? That motto needs a comma, not a colon, … Continue reading

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