Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 23

Ice Station Cyclone

Posted on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at 12:46 PM by Jeff

In the past 12 hours, the National Weather Service has downgraded the expected temperature at kickoff in Ames again, to single digits. The previous record low kickoff temperature was 17°. This means that 2013 will have both the coldest and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Sports | Comments Off on Ice Station Cyclone
Nov 22

Plans for US 30 in eastern Tama County

Posted on Friday, November 22, 2013, at 6:07 PM by Jeff

November 22, 2006: This intersection, where the Lincoln Highway turns southeast, will be removed under the preliminary plan for a US 30 expressway. I was unable to make Thursday’s meeting — having a quarter-inch of ice covering the car will … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Tama County | Comments Off on Plans for US 30 in eastern Tama County
Nov 22

Five of six state football champions are private schools

Posted on Friday, November 22, 2013, at 5:38 PM by Jeff

Don Bosco won its first state championship in eight-player football. Iowa City Regina is on a 56-game win streak. Sioux City Heelan had a perfect season and broke or tied 13 state championship records. Friday afternoon, Carroll Kuemper beat Waukon … Continue reading →

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Nov 21

Code talking tribes honored

Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 5:36 PM by Jeff

The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded yesterday to the Meskwaki (Mesquakie) Indian tribe of Tama County, among others, for their work in World War II. This sentence about the training, though, makes you go “hmm”: They received jungle warfare training … Continue reading →

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Nov 21

I-74 bridge moves fractionally closer

Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 11:41 AM by Jeff

Speaking of things destined to be built Real Soon Now, WQAD reports that construction of a new I-74 bridge across the Mississippi River is expected to begin in 2017 and won’t be done for another five years. All you will see … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on I-74 bridge moves fractionally closer
Nov 20

Tama County US 30 meeting tomorrow

Posted on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at 11:35 AM by Jeff

The Iowa DOT is holding a hearing in Toledo on Thursday to discuss proposals for upgrading US 30 east of Tama. What makes this hearing different from many of those in the past few years is that there will be … Continue reading →

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Nov 19

150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address

Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 12:35 PM by Jeff

July 30, 1999: This marker was seen on our tour of Gettysburg. (video frame) Related articles: A reading of the Gettysburg Address (NPR) Thousands gather to commemorate 150th anniversary of Gettysburg Address (Fox News) Ken Burns working on Gettysburg Address … Continue reading →

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Nov 19

History? What history?

Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 10:45 AM by Jeff

“Des Moines” as slang for “Middle America” strikes again: Southern women are different. That is a fact. It is not posturing, or hyperbole, or marketing. (See: all those song lyrics about California girls and their undeniable cuteness.) Southern women, unlike … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on History? What history?
Nov 18

IA 175 bridge transfer, end to tolls scheduled

Posted on Monday, November 18, 2013, at 1:06 PM by Jeff

September 17, 2007 The second-to-last privately owned toll bridge on the Iowa part of the Missouri River is about to be free. A story earlier this month from the Sioux City Journal (reprinted in the Lincoln Journal Star) said the … Continue reading →

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Nov 16

7 of 12 state football finalists are private schools

Posted on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 7:15 PM by Jeff

For the second year in a row, the 1A final will be all-private (Fort Dodge St. Edmond vs. Iowa City Regina), and the 4A final will follow suit (Dowling vs. Xavier). The other private-school finalists are Don Bosco in 8-player, … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Sports | Comments Off on 7 of 12 state football finalists are private schools