Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 10

Iowa, Louisiana

Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

I’m a bit behind on linking my Substack posts from here — long story. But many of them are not too time-specific. (And those that are, well, they’re still worth reading!) Here is my travel story from Iowa, Louisiana, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Trip Reports | Comments Off on Iowa, Louisiana
Apr 08

Boyson Road ramps close

Posted on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa DOT says in a press release that the southbound ramps on I-380 to/from Boyson Road close starting today and lasting until July 4. Center Point Road will be used for the connection. This KCRG story from Sept. 29, … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Boyson Road ramps close
Apr 07

A note on toll roads

Posted on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

The Gazette’s centerpiece last Monday was “Why doesn’t Iowa have toll roads?”. It starts out: “Thirty-six U.S. states have toll roads, including Iowa’s neighbors Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois.” Nebraska and Missouri do not have toll roads. Nebraska has two … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A note on toll roads
Apr 01

Windsor Heights got a Casey’s

Posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

You might think that news about a Des Moines suburb getting another gas station isn’t too notable, but in this case, I found something. Land was cleared last fall for a Casey’s at the northeast corner of University Avenue and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Windsor Heights got a Casey’s
Mar 28

AWE open house April 4

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A longtime Traer business is celebrating 20 years at its “new” location on the east edge of town. AWE moved from the auto shop addition at the north-side gas station to the Vokoun Co. site in 2005. The business is … Continue reading →

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Mar 24

Jinx

Posted on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Don’t do this again, ISU Alumni Association. Even if it means you have to wait to send the message until 10 PM Sunday. (Due to work, I observed the score at halftime and then did not observe again.) PS: How … Continue reading →

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Mar 24

Major overnight closures on I-35/80 this week

Posted on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This week, the western third or so of the I-35/80 multiplex in the Des Moines suburbs will close from 11 PM to 4 AM. The closures are needed for converting the Hickman Road exit into a diverging diamond interchange. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Major overnight closures on I-35/80 this week
Mar 19

Waterloo rebuilding part of San Marnan Drive

Posted on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

One of the biggest construction projects on San Marnan Drive since the route was built as IA 412 is Waterloo’s big project this summer. The road is going to be rebuilt this year, and much of the underlying road likely … Continue reading →

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Mar 13

School enrollment map, 2000-25, and more

Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This is the second part of my work on 2025 enrollment information. It’s a map of changes since 2000 for districts that haven’t substantially changed in size, and also the roundup of eye-popping Waukee statistics.

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on School enrollment map, 2000-25, and more
Mar 11

School enrollment and ESAs for 2024-25

Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My number crunching for school enrollment has a new dimension: education savings accounts, or vouchers, and where students using them are from, and how much money the state could have given to public schools instead of private schools. By the … Continue reading →

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