Author Archives: Jeff

May 26

Grand Junction losing its school

July 5, 2013: The school in Grand Junction most recently, and lastly, had fourth- through sixth-graders for the Greene County school district. The century-old school building in Grand Junction, which five years ago had the last class for East Greene … Continue reading

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May 25

A look at Iowa school transportation cost disparities

IowaWatch and Iowa Public Radio teamed up for a report on transportation costs in Iowa’s school districts and the disparity in funding that dates back decades but only got serious attention in the past couple of years. The IPR story … Continue reading

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May 24

Goodbye, Gov. Branstad

November 21, 2012: Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (second from left) helps cut the ribbon to open new US 20 between IA 4 and US 71. Also shown, center to right, are Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Rep. Steve King and … Continue reading

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May 23

Clutier’s Zip Code Day

The numbers for Monday’s date (5/22/17) matched the ZIP Code for Clutier (52217) and the town celebrated with, what else, kolaches and polka music. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this was happening (otherwise I would’ve blogged about it!). The only notification … Continue reading

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May 22

Baxter, Collins-Maxwell separately joining Iowa Star Conference

(Pulled out of the drafts folder from months ago. — Ed.) I don’t dip into all the “conference realignment” on the high school level, mostly because there’s so much of it going on right now. In this case, it relates … Continue reading

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May 19

Arkansas’ abuse of highway numbers continues

Buried in the continuing resolution that funds the federal government through the end of the fiscal year were two interstate designations. One is designating the US 67 freeway from Little Rock to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, as Interstate 57. However, there … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Arkansas’ abuse of highway numbers continues
May 18

Mass sign replacement coming to Tama County

September 21, 2007: This LGS on US 63 at the east end of IA 175 is among those slated to be replaced, using a slightly different font. Among the projects at the DOT’s April contract letting is a sign project … Continue reading

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May 17

Statewide bridge database available online

September 1, 2009: Despite being less than 50 years old, the IA 136 bridge over the Mississippi River at Clinton is classified as poor condition and functionally obsolete. Without any fanfare, the state has put a valuable resource online: A … Continue reading

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May 16

Highlights, analysis of 2018-22 five-year plan

August 8, 2009: The Youngville Cafe will be preserved when an interchange for US 30 and US 218 is built in 2018. Ramps will be in the northwest and southeast quadrants, with a north-south bridge. An access road to the … Continue reading

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May 15

OABCIG will try consolidation vote a third time

The Battle Creek-Ida Grove and Odebolt-Arthur school districts will make a third attempt at consolidation, the Sioux City Journal reports. Odebolt-Arthur voters have resisted full reorganization out of fear the former O-A district would be outnumbered/outvoted on issues and the school … Continue reading

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