Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 18

Iowa State Fair, 2011

Possibly my shortest time there ever (for varied reasons). Observations: The Shenaniguns Wild West Show may have been around a while, but bad puns are still funny. The Hot Beef Sundae is five years old! Cattlemen groups in some northern … Continue reading

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Aug 16

Conferencepocalypse II: Here we go again

Texas A&M has decided it would rather be seventh place in heaven than second or third in hell. The Aggies appear intent on filing for divorce from the Big 12, citing irreconcilable differences and sibling rivalry. Houston Chronicle: COLLEGE STATION … Continue reading

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Aug 15

Iowa 2010 population breakdown

This is the beginning of what will turn into more charts and graphs, but these stand alone and are worth posting now. In the 2010 census, Iowa’s 947 incorporated places break down like this: Population 0-499, 490; 500-999, 174; 1000-4999, … Continue reading

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Aug 07

Clutier still picking up the pieces

The Clutier Fun Day Bohemian Plum Festival was Saturday, about a month after the derecho. KWWL: After that storm there were some questions if this town celebration would happen. But people here were bound and determined to clean up, go … Continue reading

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Aug 05

50001: First numerically was one of first casualties

Ackworth is the second incorporated city in Iowa alphabetically, but based on its location it was assigned the lowest-number ZIP code in Iowa. Its post office disappeared nearly a year ago. Before the long lists were put out, the USPS … Continue reading

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Aug 04

Map of additional endangered post offices

The map I made last week was limited to and directly taken from the 178 Iowa post offices listed at the USPS’ “Expanded Access Study List” – and yes, as far as most of the places in question are concerned, … Continue reading

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Aug 04

Adams County down to one post office?

Brian McMillin notified me of a new link (Scribd document) from the USPS of post offices “unrelated” to the list put out at the end of July. Much of it is a repeat of locations known to be under the … Continue reading

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Aug 02

US 30 four-lane by Toledo opens Aug. 13

Reports the Toledo Chronicle: A ribbon-cutting planned for Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. will mark the expected completion of the U.S. 30 Expressway bypass through Toledo and Tama and extension to the west. The project, from the Expressway near the … Continue reading

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Jul 29

1A Baseball: Third all-public final in 20 years

In one corner: The recently legendary Martensdale-St. Marys, owner of an 86-game win streak and defending champion. In the other corner, and I do mean corner: The long-time legendary Kee High, a couple of fastballs away from both the Minnesota … Continue reading

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Jul 28

Post office closures: Quick hits

This is a rundown of things gleaned from the July and April lists of post offices the USPS is considering closing. (I’m assuming that since there is no overlap, the previous list is still valid.) The Iowa Back Roads and … Continue reading

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