Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 04

First paved section of US 71 to be put under

September 29, 2015: A flavor of what the un-widened old US 71 looks like north of Fostoria. Among the construction projects in the Iowa DOT’s January letting was a secondary road project in Dickinson County. It came through Ames on … Continue reading

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Apr 03

Highways will have to be rebuilt after flooding

This blog hasn’t done any coverage of the severe flooding in western Iowa, partially because it was ongoing, partially because I had other posts planned. But it’s clear that the highways over there are going to be a mess for … Continue reading

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Apr 02

The Not Daily Times Herald

As of this week, Iowa has one fewer daily newspaper. The paper that from World War II until now was known as the Daily Times Herald is becoming the Carroll Times-Herald, with publication on Tuesdays and Fridays. The announcement also … Continue reading

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Apr 01

The wreck of a week that was

The Iowa State women lost, at home, to an 11-seed, making me 0-for-2 in personal attendance this season… …while the Iowa women made the Elite Eight — to face the big bad of the Big 12. (And the Iowa men … Continue reading

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Mar 30

An unfortunate closing in the nick of time

In 1978, as enrollment in the South Page school district was falling*, the district closed its attendance centers in both Braddyville and Coin. It was a far cry from the optimism of just over a decade earlier, when voters approved … Continue reading

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Mar 28

See the Apollo 11 documentary, if it’s not too late

Do you like history? Do you like space? Do you like watching great Americans do great things? Do you like watching ordinary Americans do great things? Do you want to see a nation that believes in itself pushing the boundaries … Continue reading

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Mar 27

Ottumwa inflicting roundabouts on Business 34

June 11, 2007: Almost all the signs for Business 34 in Ottumwa are like this. It’s very weird. This is facing east on Albia Road as Business 34 turns onto Ferry Street, an intersection that’s being turned into a roundabout. … Continue reading

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Mar 26

‘Orville’ production design drops the ball

It’s probably understandable that a 25th-century spaceship crew doesn’t know what a newspaper is. It’s not understandable that a 21st-century production design and/or prop team can’t be accurate. In last week’s episode of “The Orville” (a show I have fangirled … Continue reading

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Mar 25

Shopko is toast

The deep bleeding that was already coming out earlier this year is complete, as the Shopko retail chain filed for bankruptcy and liquidation last week. The remaining dozen stores in Iowa that had escaped the earlier closures — based on this … Continue reading

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Mar 23

Worst. Basketball. Day. Ever.

March 22, 2019: Drake’s Becca Hittner (arms up) turns after being whistled for a foul in the closing second of overtime against Missouri in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Yes, I watched basketball in person Friday. No, Iowa State wasn’t … Continue reading

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