Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 09

Keokuk’s different climate zones

Posted on Monday, July 9, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone map “is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location,” the website explains. Three sub-zones — 4B, 5A, and 5B — cover Iowa except … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on Keokuk’s different climate zones
Jul 06

Mall between two school districts

Posted on Friday, July 6, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A not-particularly-trumpeted but governmentally significant thing happened July 1: The tax increment financing district for Coral Ridge Mall expired. The mall opened 20 years ago at the end of this month. The city of Coralville’s website explains: At that time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Schools | Comments Off on Mall between two school districts
Jul 05

Dubuque highway chronology, heavily revised and corrected

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at 10:06 AM by Jeff

Sometimes better information throws your settled pattern for a loop. Part of what I have stated on this website for IA 3’s history in Dubuque is wrong. The maps never would have distinguished the difference, but the online route description, … Continue reading →

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Jul 03

In defense of rest areas

Posted on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 5, 2014: Various methods of getting places are shown at the I-35 southbound Story City rest area. Inside is a historic look at the highways of Story County — the Lincoln Highway, US 30, and I-35. Rest areas are … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on In defense of rest areas
Jul 02

Even with grant, historic bridge replacement too expensive

Posted on Monday, July 2, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A closed connection in Iowa’s Great River Road looks like it will remain that way, and perhaps permanently. The Iowa DOT offered $1.5 million to the city of Burlington to go to repairs of the Cascade Bridge, but the city … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Even with grant, historic bridge replacement too expensive
Jun 30

Country music has an alcohol problem

Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Finally, someone else noticed. The beginning of the bro-country era can be pegged to mid-December 2012, when Florida Georgia Line displaced Taylor Swift at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country charts, stayed there for five of the next six weeks, … Continue reading →

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Jun 29

Dinsdales, Stoakes in track hall of fame

Posted on Friday, June 29, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The stars of North Tama’s girls’ track championship four-peat were inducted into the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame earlier this month. Story: Traer Star-Clipper. Brooke and Blaire Dinsdale led the way in 2006-08, and Stoakes followed with a one-woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Dinsdales, Stoakes in track hall of fame
Jun 28

Webster County hip to Historic Highway 20

Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

December 12, 2005: Business 20 approaches US 169 on the west side of Fort Dodge. Ahead is the beginning for Business 169 (former IA 926) as well. The Historic U.S. Route 20 Association, whose work I have promoted on this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Webster County hip to Historic Highway 20
Jun 27

Tama County Farm Bureau, Extension centennial news

Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

With appearances by some familiar faces. Tama County Extension celebrates 100 years (Toledo Chronicle) Tama County Farm Bureau celebrates 100 years (Traer Star-Clipper)

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Tama County Farm Bureau, Extension centennial news
Jun 26

Photo for WQAD story looks familiar

Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A man, his wife, and their two children were all injured after he fell asleep while driving and crashed into another car in rural Fort Madison, Iowa shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 21st. https://t.co/zCZQ7ZatTT — WQAD (@wqad) June … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Photo for WQAD story looks familiar