Author Archives: Jeff

Mar 30

Square 218 shields a threatened species

Posted on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 15, 2007: Despite the difference in digits, these shields are the same size around. The east end of IA 8 is one of the few places left in Iowa where you see square US 218 shields as you drive … Continue reading →

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Mar 29

Return of the Demon Sheep

Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s probably not news that footage used in campaign ads will be reused and recycled over the course of multiple elections. But there’s one now that takes the reuse to a new level because the original content is somewhat notorious. … Continue reading →

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Mar 28

Benton County closing front door to courthouse, installing metal detector

Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2015: When RAGBRAI had a noon stop in Vinton, the south-side front door of the courthouse was open. A procedure once reserved for only the biggest county courthouses in Iowa is trickling down to at least one more. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Benton County closing front door to courthouse, installing metal detector
Mar 27

Analysis of 2018 RAGBRAI map

Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2008: RAGBRAI passed through the center of Iowa (well, close enough) in 2008 and will again this year. The Register’s preview appears to be trying to tell me something. If you can locate Ute, Aspinwall, Dana, Peoria and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Maps | Comments Off on Analysis of 2018 RAGBRAI map
Mar 26

New-look license plates coming out

Posted on Monday, March 26, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A revised design for Iowa’s license plates is being phased in next month, the Des Moines Register reported last week. (I honestly forgot this was happening.) Eight counties running low on inventory will get them first. A photo with the story shows … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on New-look license plates coming out
Mar 23

Traer Star-Clipper office closing

Posted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

March 16, 2018/June 27, 1930: “The Traer Star-Clipper is still ‘the best weekly newspaper in the United States,’ according to the judges of the annual contest conducted by the National Editorial association for the promotion of better weekly newspapers…” Traer … Continue reading →

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Mar 22

License Plate Letters — GTE and a rogue CTY

Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

GTE used to be a household acronym in much of rural Iowa; it was the phone company. At the turn of the 21st century, GTE’s Iowa assets were sold to Iowa Network Services, which within a year turned into Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — GTE and a rogue CTY
Mar 21

Stories from the Bureau of Justice

Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In the opening credits of “The X-Files” (a show whose return didn’t conceal the fact it was old enough to have a theme song) is an intentional error I hadn’t noticed until this season. The ID badges in the opening … Continue reading →

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Mar 20

Small gym an issue in Graettinger-Terril bond issue

Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Construction of a new gymnasium to replace a “non-regulation” one is a major component of a bond referendum April 6 in the Graettinger-Terril school district. A former school board member told the Spencer Daily Reporter that GT “is the only district … Continue reading →

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Mar 19

Trees a casualty of Waukon sidewalk plan

Posted on Monday, March 19, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Sidewalks are a good thing to have. In many towns, though, they could use some freshening up. However, a simple plan for improvements sooner or later will encounter the Americans With Disabilities Act. (And then there’s Windsor Heights, whose residents … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Trees a casualty of Waukon sidewalk plan