Author Archives: Jeff

Jan 09

Double diverging diamonds for Linn County

Posted on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The most recent environmental assessment (large PDF) for an expanded I-380 on the north side of Linn County has something new for the state of Iowa: consecutive diverging diamond interchanges. Today, there is only one diverging diamond interchange in the … Continue reading →

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Jan 08

A Transportation Commission meeting with a notable absence

Posted on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa Transportation Commission is having its first meeting of the year today in Ames. The agenda is the most pedestrian possible. (Where’s the transfer of jurisdiction of those weird stubs still under state control?) But off camera, so to … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A Transportation Commission meeting with a notable absence
Jan 07

United to extend Ames, Boone sharing

Posted on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The 55-mph school speed limit between Ames and Boone is going to stick around a while longer. According to last month’s school board agenda for the United school district, which is between the two cities, the board will approve whole-grade … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on United to extend Ames, Boone sharing
Jan 04

Iowa counties among ‘most representative’

Posted on Friday, January 4, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A study from Echelon Insights sought to find “typical counties” in the United States and two counties from Iowa rank in the top 20. The Midwest plus Pennsylvania ranked pretty high overall. The link has a map to play with. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Maps | Comments Off on Iowa counties among ‘most representative’
Jan 03

The slightly strange political career of Leo Elthon

Posted on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

There are three men who served as governor of Iowa for fewer than two months. One of them pinballed between state and local government after sitting in the big chair. According to the U of I’s Biographical Dictionary of Iowa: Leo … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The slightly strange political career of Leo Elthon
Jan 02

Elevator part of I-74 bridge plans

Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

May 7, 2018: An elevator would provide a more direct connection from Bettendorf’s Riverfront Trail (seen at bottom left) to the future I-74 bridge, whose Iowa landing will be just a bit upstream from the current one. The city of … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Elevator part of I-74 bridge plans
Dec 31

2018 goes down but not without a fight

Posted on Monday, December 31, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It is 400 days until the 2020 Iowa presidential caucuses. Maybe. At least, as of the time of this post. Unless New Hampshire sees California as enough of a threat that we get another lesson in the disasters of early … Continue reading →

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Dec 28

‘The Orville’ returns

Posted on Friday, December 28, 2018, at 1:00 PM by Jeff

I don’t know how large the Venn diagram overlap is for “people who want a fun Star Trek and not grimdark” and “people who enjoy ‘Sound of Music’ references in their ‘Star Trek with the serial numbers filed off’”. It … Continue reading →

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Dec 28

Alamo Bowl preview

Posted on Friday, December 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa native John Wayne portrayed Davy Crockett in the 1960 movie “The Alamo.”

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Alamo Bowl preview
Dec 26

Iowa State’s last visit to San Antonio

Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Hey, any time there’s a chance to dunk on Roy Williams, I’m going to take it. (Sigh…what could have been.)

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Iowa State’s last visit to San Antonio