Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 17

School timeline mega-update: 1968-70, plus compilations

Posted on Friday, September 17, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2016: “There will be an informal opening of the new gymnasium at the Sharpsburg school on Saturday evening, October 10, at 8:00 o’clock [sic]. A snappy program is planned, followed by a lunch consisting of sandwiches, pie, pickles … Continue reading →

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Sep 15

Cafe 218 is gone; Dollar General coming to Dysart?

Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The old Cafe 218 in Vinton opened shortly after the US 218 bypass of Vinton did. For about a decade, it was vacant. As of the week before Labor Day, it’s gone. Stories: Vinton News, Vinton Today. The land is … Continue reading →

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Sep 14

Some familial bragging

Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honored its class of 2021 on the last day of the Iowa State Fair. I happen to know Tama County’s inductee very well. (There are now two members of North Tama’s Class of 2000 … Continue reading →

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Sep 13

Mocking Iowa’s 2020s congressional districts (9)

Posted on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Mock 22: The I-380, US 34, and US 18 districts District 1: Pulled from Mock 20 because it’s so good. District 2: Heavily Republican southern Iowa helps Mariannette Miller-Meeks. District 3: Long district is long? Good on small area, not … Continue reading →

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Sep 10

A display of remembrance

Posted on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

“It should never be forgotten”: Traer family puts 2,997 flags in front yard in honor of 9/11 victims (KWWL)

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Sep 08

Mocking Iowa’s 2020s congressional districts (8)

Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Mock 20: Corridor compaction District 1: Democrat Liz Mathis has a clear-the-field list of endorsements for whatever district includes Cedar Rapids. Christina Bohannan — who primaried a long-time representative in Iowa’s most Democratic state House district — has received former … Continue reading →

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Sep 06

Mocking Iowa’s 2020s congressional districts (7)

Posted on Monday, September 6, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Mock 15: Checking Wasserman The great thing about Iowa’s congressional districts is that anyone can play. I did some looking at what the “professionals” were playing with. I made Mock 15 based on this tweet from Dave Wasserman of the Cook … Continue reading →

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Sep 03

No pressure

Posted on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

(Through September 1, 2021. Updates will be marked as needed for the 2021 season.) 39,824: Days between November 23, 1912, when Iowa State won a share of the 1912 Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship, and December 4, 2021, … Continue reading →

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Sep 01

School timeline mega-update: 1971-74

Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The timeline is now going so far back I’ve found buildings I didn’t know existed, in map dots that either aren’t on the state map now or were never there. Allerton’s school got condemned by the state fire marshal (Centerville … Continue reading →

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Aug 30

School timeline mega-update: 1975-79

Posted on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 17, 2020: “The $125,000 new school building at Lake Center is complete and will be opened next Monday to serve the oldest consolidated school district in Iowa. The new school house is two stories and basement, entirely fireproof and … Continue reading →

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