Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Sep 22

It’s 941, not 939

Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I should have said something earlier. I should have said it when I made a post about it. The two Nebraska students who visited “all 939” towns in Iowa this summer — and got another article in the Register — … 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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Aug 12

Iowa State Fair 2021: Metal detectors, NO TRAM

Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I once said a year without the Iowa State Fair would be unfathomable. Well, we’ve seen and heard a lot of unfathomable things lately. Now the Iowa State Fair is BACK, but with a couple of changes that show things … Continue reading →

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Aug 11

When is Channel 14 not Channel 14?

Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

KMEG, Sioux City’s CBS affiliate, is by a good margin the youngest of the “Big Three” network stations serving Iowa. It is more than a decade younger than any except WQAD, which preceded it by four years. Its youth is … Continue reading →

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Aug 10

Derecho day

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

August 18, 2020: Derecho-damaged trees in Keystone. Sign says “Thanks firemen, Dave M and all volunteers. We appreciate you!!” See this blog post for more pictures. “You have 20 minutes!” I said to the front desk as I left the fitness … Continue reading →

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Aug 09

Betty Lou Varnum, 1931-2021

Posted on Monday, August 9, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

If you were a child between 1954 and 1994 within range of WOI-TV Channel 5, you knew Betty Lou and “The House with the Magic Window.” Betty Lou Varnum died last week. The Magic Window was shuttered the instant ownership … Continue reading →

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Aug 04

Subchannel shakeup part of Gray TV deal

Posted on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Months ago, Quincy Media, formerly Quincy Newspapers, announced it was selling to Gray TV for $925 million. However, it’s not until now that those effects are showing, and it affects TV stations serving Iowa. The tip-off was an ad during … Continue reading →

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Aug 03

Second person has visited every town in Iowa

Posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In my search for media coverage of the two Nebraska college students visiting every town in Iowa, I discovered someone else who has matched me in travel. The Fort Dodge Messenger just last week reported that Dave Miglin of Des … Continue reading →

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Aug 02

Nebraska pair hitting northeast Iowa hard

Posted on Monday, August 2, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 16, 2020: New Vienna is one of 22 incorporated communities in Dubuque County. It took me 14 years to visit every town in Iowa, the last two after I made it a specific goal. Two college students are attempting … Continue reading →

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Jun 30

Iowa history update

Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

One of my 1993 4H projects is now out of date.* Johnson County, Iowa, is now named … Johnson County, Iowa. From NPR: It will still be Johnson County. But henceforth, the county is taking its name from a different … Continue reading →

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