Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 21

The third high school in Hull

“Did you know that the Sioux County town of Hull, population 2,175, supports three high schools?” asks the Sioux City Journal. No, I did not. That’s probably because Trinity Christian, school number 3, has only had two graduating classes and … Continue reading

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on The third high school in Hull
Aug 20

License Plate Letters — CRH

Here’s a big jump that raises the question of whether CO’s and CQ’s were used in the current cycle. They should, because I’m pretty sure they were used the first time around. EDIT: Incorrect reference to Tama County in 1997.

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — CRH
Aug 19

US 20 construction in Woodbury County

There’s some grading and the beginnings of culverts for a four-lane US 20 between Moville and Correctionville, reports KCAU*. After traveling current 20 and old 20 in the area earlier this summer, before any construction began, I can see why … Continue reading

Posted in Construction, Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on US 20 construction in Woodbury County
Aug 18

Unclear on the concept dept., county annexation division

“A Clinton teen was named Miss Scott County…” Wait, what? Of four winners crowned in the Miss Scott County pageant Saturday, only one of them lives in Scott County.  

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Unclear on the concept dept., county annexation division
Aug 17

Tipping sacred cows in Illinois

And we’ll have pun, pun, pun ’til our daddy takes the keyboard away… Chicago Tribune (bonus points for using the word ‘kerfuffle’): Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn is milking an Upstate-Downstate kerfuffle with Republican Bruce Rauner’s running mate over an udderly … Continue reading

Posted in Geography | Comments Off on Tipping sacred cows in Illinois
Aug 17

Quote of the week

Mary Walk, master gardener: “I was born and raised in Woden so I still consider myself kind of a city girl.” Woden’s population is 229.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Quote of the week
Aug 15

College hardware at the Varied Industries Building

If you want to see a bunch of college trophies in one place, you don’t have to go any further than this year’s Iowa State Fair. The universities are showing off their trophies in their booths at the Varied Industries … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Sports | Comments Off on College hardware at the Varied Industries Building
Aug 14

Hamburg and Farragut: Shotgun wedding or else

April 15, 2009: When Farragut and Hamburg became Nishnabotna, Iowa lost one of its unique team names, the Admirals and Admiralettes/Adettes. The Farragut girls won the state basketball title in 1971, and Steve Buttry wrote about it in 1996. (Part … Continue reading

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Hamburg and Farragut: Shotgun wedding or else
Aug 13

A short history of the Iowa DOT

The Iowa State Daily is writing about Ames’ sesquicentennial (150th anniversary). Last week, there was a piece about the Iowa Department of Transportation, which started out as part of Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The Iowa DOT remains … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A short history of the Iowa DOT
Aug 13

Union County construction update

The Union County area has a handful of construction projects going on this month. One of them, technically in Adams County, has resulted in a detour for US 34 west of Kent, using IA 25 and old IA 49 via … Continue reading

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Union County construction update