Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 02

Populations centers of counties

Posted on Friday, September 2, 2011, at 10:30 AM by Jeff

The Census Bureau worked these out. And for 2000, too. The few that I’ve played with so far are relatively close to the geographic centers of the counties. Tama County’s 2010 population center is about one mile south and half … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography | Comments Off on Populations centers of counties
Sep 01

DOT to reduce speed limit at 65/330/117 intersection

Posted on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 4:35 PM by Jeff

(Notice “Speed Limit 65” bottom left center) This seems like a futile action. Speed limits will be reduced to 60 mph along a 1.58-mile section of U.S. 65/Iowa 330 between Iowa 117 and Jasper County Road F-17 beginning Thursday, Sept. … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on DOT to reduce speed limit at 65/330/117 intersection
Sep 01

Conferencepocalypse II: The ISU angle

Posted on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 12:25 PM by Jeff

Here’s what they’re saying about Iowa State this time around: Starting with the Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Mike Hlas, who lays it out in no uncertain terms (read the whole thing): If the first of the inevitable four superconferences should involve … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Conferencepocalypse II: The ISU angle
Aug 31

Conferencepocalypse II: The Guns of August

Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at 9:39 PM by Jeff

Texas offered a Big 12 Network; Texas A&M refused. Texas reportedly offered a Lone Star Network; A&M refused. Texas created the Longhorn Network, just like everyone expected, and now A&M has gone off the deep end. Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Conferencepocalypse II: The Guns of August
Aug 26

Two important school-year PSAs

Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011, at 1:28 PM by Jeff

We interrupt our small-school/conferencepocalypse/post-office panic for some announcements: 1. Comic Sans is not an acceptable font for student handbooks. This means you, West Central Valley. (PDF) 2. Football season is here!!

Posted in Schools, Sports | Comments Off on Two important school-year PSAs
Aug 24

Corning-Villisca: Squeezing out Stanton?

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 6:54 PM by Jeff

School districts in southwest and north-central Iowa are feeling the most pressure from the continued decline of student enrollment. As districts explore their options, we get reports with numbers that will make your eyes either glaze over or tear up, … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Corning-Villisca: Squeezing out Stanton?
Aug 23

License Plate Countdown – YNZ

Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at 3:01 PM by Jeff

YMJ through YNR assigned outside of Polk County, then another stack back to Polk. Assuming the continued omission of U and V but the inclusion of all other letters in second and third positions, that leaves 816 combinations.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on License Plate Countdown – YNZ
Aug 20

Idaho vs. “I-State”

Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at 12:34 PM by Jeff

Desktop pictures for Texas A&M’s 2011 football schedule put the opponents’ logos in a strip across the bottom. (Full collection is here.) Take a quick look at this one in particular. Is A&M playing the Cyclones twice? Now look closer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Idaho vs. “I-State”
Aug 20

Lansing bridge closed a week

Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at 1:09 AM by Jeff

WXOW (with video): A bridge over the Mississippi river between Lansing, Iowa and De Soto, Wisconsin remains closed — due to a crack in the floor beam under the bridge deck. The Iowa Department of Transportation says the bridge on … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Lansing bridge closed a week
Aug 19

946

Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 12:05 PM by Jeff

February: Searsboro, population 148, finds out that its post office is among the first mentioned in what will become of a wave of potential closures. July 24: The New York Times runs a blog post with a Searsboro dateline related … Continue reading →

Posted in Post offices | Comments Off on 946