Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 04

The Avenue of the Saints’ only left turn … is staying

Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The DOT has a public meeting video and PDFs for changes at IA 27/58 at Ridgeway Avenue and US 20. The Ridgeway intersection and the diamond interchange are not going away. The biggest change is the addition of a left-turn lane … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on The Avenue of the Saints’ only left turn … is staying
Nov 02

The Hill Valley election cycle

Posted on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 6, 1990. “Doc” Emma Brown finds a strange woman at her door who says she’s a time traveler. “Then tell me, Future Girl, who’s president of the United States in 2020?” Jennifer winces and gives out a Sam Beckett-esque … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Hill Valley election cycle
Oct 30

So you want to be scared?

Posted on Friday, October 30, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 18, 2020: On guard in Knoxville. The obvious tactic to strike fear in your heart right now is the easiest: the phrase “269-269”. (I don’t need to do horror movies. I pay attention to current events, I follow Iowa State sports, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on So you want to be scared?
Oct 29

Ride the wind

Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 21, 2020 If you can’t read the sign, it says: “2020 Derecho Scarecrow. Ride the wind and Wind up in Traer.” Traer was the only community in Tama County that had electricity the night of August 10. In other … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Ride the wind
Oct 28

Welcome to Etherville

Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Typos are nasty things. I should know, since my job involves trying to find them. (Glass house alert!) One should try to nudge the writer discreetly. Pointing at the New York Times, which to my knowledge doesn’t have a copy desk … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Welcome to Etherville
Oct 26

Nora Springs bridge to be replaced

Posted on Monday, October 26, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 4, 2015: The old US 18 bridge on the west side of Nora Springs. The century-old bridge across the Shell Rock River in Nora Springs will be replaced next year, KIMT reports. The bridge was a showcase piece in … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Nora Springs bridge to be replaced
Oct 23

Iowa’s new election gender imbalance

Posted on Friday, October 23, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

After years and years of Iowa getting tsk-tsked for never electing a woman to Congress (I went into some reasoning for this in 2012), we shouldn’t let this year go by without pointing something out: Seven of the 10 major-party candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa’s new election gender imbalance
Oct 21

Updated spreadsheet: ISU vs. AP Top 25

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This is a plug for a page I’ve had around but, since it doesn’t fit in the highway-related stuff, just kind of floats. I set up a sortable HTML table of Iowa State football’s record both against teams ranked in … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Updated spreadsheet: ISU vs. AP Top 25
Oct 19

Another matter of perspective

Posted on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The new exit for IA 141 from northbound I-35/80, along with a half-diamond to the south at Meredith Drive, opened Friday. The Register had a preview earlier in the week. Presumably, northbound/eastbound, the Meredith exit will be 127A, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous, Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Another matter of perspective
Oct 16

Football seasons ending and starting

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The topsy-turvy churn otherwise known as 2020 in sports continues with both ends and starts. High school football playoffs begin tonight. This year, they’re built in a different way. Much like postseasons in basketball and baseball, every team is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on Football seasons ending and starting