Author Archives: Jeff

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 →

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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 →

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Jan 31

Two coaches, two coaching philosophies

Posted on Friday, January 31, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly, less than a month ago: “The stuff that isn’t going well, I have to fix,” Fennelly said. “There will be changes made.” Fennelly often shoulders the blame for his team’s performance, such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Two coaches, two coaching philosophies
Jan 30

Waukee bans Valentine’s Day

Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Waukee learned their staff was putting way too many resources into helping students decorate their Valentine’s Day trinkets. The school district also realized there was a growing number of families in their community that didn’t celebrate the holiday. I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Waukee bans Valentine’s Day
Jan 29

New MOC-FV elementary would eliminate Hospers school

Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Finishing a miniseries of school bond blog posts, I suppose. A proposal to consolidate elementary schools in the MOC-FV school district would result in one town losing its school. A story on KTIV says the district is proposing a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on New MOC-FV elementary would eliminate Hospers school
Jan 28

South Tama proposal would eliminate Toledo school

Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Toledo could become the first county seat in Iowa without an active school building. That statement is both accurate and misleading. The South Tama High School building — and subsequent additions in the 21st century that eliminated all other sites … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Tama County | Comments Off on South Tama proposal would eliminate Toledo school
Jan 27

Cedar Rapids Prairie needs a bond issue. Again.

Posted on Monday, January 27, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In early 2016, the College Community School District (Cedar Rapids Prairie) approved a $49.5 million bond issue. This paid for multiple major construction projects on the school’s sprawling campus site on the south side of Cedar Rapids. The campus is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Cedar Rapids Prairie needs a bond issue. Again.