Author Archives: Jeff

Feb 21

2019-20 enrollment update

Posted on Friday, February 21, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa’s school districts start enrollment in the 2020s the same way as previous decades — with some of the rich getting richer and many of the poor getting poorer. Total Iowa public school certified enrollment, rounded, is palindromic: 490,094. About … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on 2019-20 enrollment update
Feb 20

Ventura losing its school

Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 17, 2017: The jersey of six-on-six basketball star Lynne Lorenzen of Ventura High School is in the State Historical Society’s “Iowa History 101 Mobile Museum.” At left is Natasha Kaiser-Brown’s medal from the 1992 Summer Olympics. I saw the … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Ventura losing its school
Feb 19

The optimism that was

Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 16, 2009: Belle Plaine High School (1911), last used as Central Elementary during the school year this photo was taken, was torn down in 2016-17. I was going to use this as an intro to a post, but its … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on The optimism that was
Feb 18

Wapello bypass issue escalates to Legislature

Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Remember the prolonged struggle between Wapello and the Iowa DOT, and Mediapolis and the Iowa DOT, where the communities are fighting tooth and nail to get multiple exits on a four-lane US 61 and the DOT is having none of … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Wapello bypass issue escalates to Legislature
Feb 14

Iowa’s last Kmarts close Sunday

Posted on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 19, 2019: This is not a Kmart in Iowa; this is the one in International Falls, Minnesota, that was in the nationwide round of Kmart closures announced in September and closed Dec. 16. It will be the last Kmart … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa’s last Kmarts close Sunday
Feb 13

Fort Dodge bridge meeting next week

Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Remember how the news about the transfer of Business US 169/IA 926 to the city of Fort Dodge had a curious caveat? That caveat has become meaningful. In 2014, the transfer of jurisdiction said “excluding bridges,” the bridges in question … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Fort Dodge bridge meeting next week
Feb 11

Waukon’s downtown intersection gets stoplight overhaul

Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 7, 2006: This photo looking south clearly shows the offset intersection of IA 9 and IA 76 in Waukon. Until 1968, IA 9 turned right (west). The intersection at the core of Waukon has always been a bit off. … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Waukon’s downtown intersection gets stoplight overhaul
Feb 07

My books of 2019

Posted on Friday, February 7, 2020, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

I read as much as I ever have, but most of it is article after article viewed online. Much of my reading is for information, for truth, and for insight based on information leading to truth. (LOL nothing matters.) My … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on My books of 2019
Feb 05

Farnhamville’s role in Iowa highway history

Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 24, 2017: Is this an excuse to post one of the best “welcome to” sign pairs in Iowa? Possibly. At the end of 1939, the expansion of Iowa’s highway system abruptly slowed down at number 372, a spur to … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Farnhamville’s role in Iowa highway history
Feb 03

Caucus Day 2020

Posted on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As seen in an actual commercial! (For Carmax, but still.) Welcome to the winter premiere in the fifth season of America’s inescapable reality show, “The 2016 Election.”  The 2020 election cycle is the first in five that I did not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Caucus Day 2020