Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 13

Iowa-bound I-74 bridge opens today

Posted on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s happening! (To steal the first line from KWQC’s story.) (WQAD’s story above.) The Iowa-bound/westbound/northbound I-74 bridge was expected to open early this morning. This replaces the 1935 bridge, the original of the twin bridges. Hopefully next November we can … Continue reading →

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Nov 11

Iowa’s 1920 Highway System: Plymouth County

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 17, 2020: The loneliest intersection of 1920. IA 29 ended here; IA 27 went east and west. Western Iowa had nearly all of the primary numbers, save for 28, in the 26-through-37 span. As far as I know, it … Continue reading →

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Nov 10

Alex Trebek, 1940-2020

Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

Today we honor Alex Trebek. For over three decades he brought integrity, humor and intelligence to his duties as host of Jeopardy! He will be in our hearts forever. Thank you, Alex. Love from us all. ???? pic.twitter.com/w8abYY8SX5 — Jeopardy! … Continue reading →

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Nov 09

License Plate Letters – KAT

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2000: Shadow had the run of the corn crib — run of the farm, really — and we threw her kibble from a big bag bought at the elevator. She purred very loudly and enjoyed climbing onto my shoulder … Continue reading →

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Nov 06

Label-o-matic

Posted on Friday, November 6, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Labels are important when creating maps. This is an obvious truth, but I have a habit of missing the forest for the trees. Thus, when I created highway chronologies, I didn’t really consider the idea that my maps could be … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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