Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 10

April in Iowa, continued

Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at 1:03 AM by Jeff

At 6 PM Tuesday, Remsen was simultaneously under a severe thunderstorm warning, ice storm warning, and winter storm watch. The Register has more coverage of the weird weather. Thursday’s forecast has shifted to that most unpleasant of conditions, “wintry mix”.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on April in Iowa, continued
Apr 09

Wapello wants exclusive deal with Morning Sun

Posted on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 2:00 PM by Jeff

Since 1990, the Morning Sun school district has sent junior high and high school students to three surrounding districts: Mediapolis, Winfield-Mount Union, and Wapello. Now Wapello, at least, is interested in making the relationship exclusive. Wapello’s certified enrollment has fallen … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Wapello wants exclusive deal with Morning Sun
Apr 08

April in Iowa

Posted on Monday, April 8, 2013, at 12:13 PM by Jeff

Perfect sense. Remember, winter isn’t over until the second weekend of April.  

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on April in Iowa
Apr 08

Detour North 65

Posted on Monday, April 8, 2013, at 10:30 AM by Jeff

Nov. 30, 2012: The ramp seen here will be closing. There’s going to be another visible sign of change for the Hubbell Avenue exit. The US 65 ramp to I-80 just to the west is going to close for six … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Detour North 65
Apr 07

And half of them are going to Waukee (no, really)

Posted on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at 11:00 AM by Jeff

“New information from the Iowa Department of Education predicts a promising enrollment future for the state’s public school districts,” the Cedar Rapids Gazette says in the lead of its article. However, that sentiment only applies to the state’s suburban districts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on And half of them are going to Waukee (no, really)
Apr 06

Everything except an Olive Garden

Posted on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 1:57 PM by Jeff

Altoona is currently in the midst of opening up a subdivision called Tuscan Estates — “a quiet country oasis”. (City regulation PDF) The development is near subdivisions or subsets of the subdivision called Tuscany and Tuscany Villas on, what else, Tuscany … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Everything except an Olive Garden
Apr 05

Brittney Griner, Denise Long, and the NBA

Posted on Friday, April 5, 2013, at 2:22 PM by Jeff

So Mark Cuban is thinking about drafting Baylor’s Brittney Griner. If he did, Griner would not be the first woman selected in an NBA draft. That honor goes to Denise Long of Union-Whitten High School in 1969, one of Iowa’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Brittney Griner, Denise Long, and the NBA
Apr 04

For those of us of a certain computer age

Posted on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at 11:15 AM by Jeff

The Oregon Trail Company’s Official Moving Contract (should be valid only if played on an Apple IIe/IIGS) Why the Africa map on “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” is the most difficult task ever incorporated into a children’s game … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography | Comments Off on For those of us of a certain computer age
Apr 03

The last odd-year map in Iowa

Posted on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 3:08 PM by Jeff

was released online on Monday. Starting in 2014, publication will switch to a two-year schedule. Given the number of 2012 maps I’ve seen available at a couple rest areas earlier this year, it will likely be OK. The page’s title … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on The last odd-year map in Iowa
Apr 02

What is it with all these special elections?

Posted on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 1:14 PM by Jeff

On the first Tuesday after the first Monday (unless noted), Iowa looooves special elections this year. The Secretary of State lists seven allowable scheduled dates, and that doesn’t include votes that must be held within a certain number of days … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on What is it with all these special elections?