Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 25

Night, day, and teatime of the iguana

Posted on Monday, June 25, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As if we needed another reason to ban Florida. (warning: autoplay video) DeVita even pulled an iguana out of her toilet after it latched on to a plunger a few years ago. “In one of my bathrooms, my roommate kept hearing … Continue reading →

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Jun 22

Save Tama’s Lincoln Highway bridge

Posted on Friday, June 22, 2018, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

July 7, 2013: A pickup crosses the Lincoln Highway bridge on the east end of Tama. Modern-day vehicles are one thing but a worse issue for the 103-year-old bridge is full-size semis using it on a truck route. A century-plus … Continue reading →

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Jun 21

Hiawatha’s plan to conquer Toddville

Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Fourth in a series. In my previous posts regarding population, I cited the master’s thesis “Annexation in Iowa: an analysis of the Iowa annexation statutes” by Robin Renae Habeger (1997). That, along with some digging into more recent news, brings something to light: … Continue reading →

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Jun 20

How long has Dallas County ruled Iowa’s growth charts?

Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Third in a series. The dam broke just after the 1990 census. West Des Moines had a small spot in Dallas County right before that — a portion tucked south of University Avenue that included the Des Moines Golf and … Continue reading →

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Jun 19

1980s census estimates: A bloodbath in chart form

Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Second in a series. On a national level, the 1980s had plenty of positives after a bumpy early start. In Iowa, though, like the rest of the Farm Belt, those bumpy years were part of a precipitous fall that, arguably, … Continue reading →

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Jun 18

The longer effects of Iowa’s rural population decline

Posted on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

First in a series. The Census Bureau released its 2017 county-level population estimates in April. It’s not a full decade, but it is seven data points, and the trend for rural counties may be even worse than it was. The … Continue reading →

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Jun 15

Tama County Farm Bureau 100th anniversary

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Tonight, the Tama County Farm Bureau celebrates its centennial with a dinner at the Traer Memorial Building. The Iowa Farm Bureau also turns 100 years old this year. Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Hill will speak tonight. The Farm Bureau … Continue reading →

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Jun 14

A Wisconsin town loses its school, and the New York Times is on it

Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Sound familiar? But the reality of rural life in the Midwest, school officials say, is that younger people are fleeing. They want Starbucks and Thai restaurants, plentiful jobs and high-speed internet, and when they start families, they want schools with … Continue reading →

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Jun 13

Is Fazoli’s sizzling or fizzling?

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

If you believe articles from an industry publication, the fast-casual Italian food franchise Fazoli’s is in good shape and plans to release “a completely clean food menu” this summer. (Because chemicals are bad, you see, and unpopular with the youths.) … Continue reading →

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Jun 12

Sabula ferry service offered

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Starting today, the Iowa DOT is offering “complimentary vehicular/passenger ferry service” across the Mississippi River from Sabula to Savanna. This would last at least through the summer because of the delays in construction of the overflow bridge. There’s also a … Continue reading →

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