Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 04

Final design set for Merrill rail crossing

Posted on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Waiting for a train on US 75 in Merrill is an experience one wants to have as little as possible. I endured it once last year. Now it’s going to be fixed. The Iowa DOT has settled on a design … Continue reading →

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Jul 29

US 20/59 intersections to be converted to J-turns

Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Good news: US 20 will not be getting a roundabout in Holstein! Bad news: Both intersections with US 59 are going to become J-turns! The story from KTIV says that this was selected over the roundabout due to right-of-way issues. … Continue reading →

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Jul 27

Hardy Consolidated, then un-consolidated

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s a story about a school district dissolving before formation of modern school districts was really a thing in Iowa.

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Jul 24

License Plate Letters — QYT

Posted on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 10:20 AM by Jeff

Are we “quite” through with the Q’s in the Iowa license plate alphabet, after about a year, maybe a little less? It appears so. The next thing to watch for is when the E’s, F’s, and G’s get replaced, which … Continue reading →

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Jul 22

A history of the Meskwaki in Iowa

Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The final event in the Iowa DOT’s America 250 Scenic Byways series was close to home. Three speakers, including historian Johnathan Buffalo, gave presentations about the Meskwaki tribe’s presence in Iowa, which has been continuous since 1735.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on A history of the Meskwaki in Iowa
Jul 20

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton’s longest day

Posted on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s championship or bust for Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton — not only in softball, but for all but one of its sports teams, period. The Spartans are a 1-seed playing in Fort Dodge today at noon. Seven hours later, in Audubon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Sports | Comments Off on Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton’s longest day
Jul 17

Analysis of RAGBRAI LIII route

Posted on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:53 AM by Jeff

My look at this year’s RAGBRAI route might be light on highway content, but it is heavy on ranting about infographic design and map directions. Among my concerns is how static maps were not updated when a late change in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Analysis of RAGBRAI LIII route
Jul 16

Traer Pizza Palace reopening!

Posted on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As possibly the person who carried the news about Traer Pizza Palace’s passing the farthest (non-Facebook category), I have to pass on an update: Pizza Palace is back! A poster says the restaurant will have its grand reopening Friday from … Continue reading →

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Jul 13

New Janesville exit enters stage 2 of 7

Posted on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 28, 2025: Traffic moves on southbound US 218 at the intersection of 260th Street, with Easton Avenue behind the camera. On Monday, traffic switches to head-to-head in the existing northbound lanes (foreground). The position of this picture, once construction … Continue reading →

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Jul 10

Clayton County Museum Crawl 1

Posted on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A whirlwind day of visits to small museums, with more to come!

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Trip Reports | Comments Off on Clayton County Museum Crawl 1