Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Dec 06

How many cities are on Iowa highways?

August 4, 2015: After IA 122/old US 18 was turned over, Rudd remained a city “on” the Iowa highway system because the four-lane is still within the city limits. I’ve sporadically mentioned my resolution to visit all 944 existing incorporated … Continue reading

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Nov 24

Raise the song of harvest home

October 3, 2016: County Road B40 east of Primghar. MidAmerican Energy has two wind farms in O’Brien County. Northwest Iowa has substantial capacity for wind energy generation.

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Nov 16

The last time the county voted for…

Donald Trump’s near-sweep of Iowa in the 2016 election is even more shocking when you take it into longer-term context. The only time in the past half-century that the Democratic candidate failed to win at least 10 counties in Iowa … Continue reading

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Nov 14

Mount Union disincorporation passes by one vote

Sixty-three votes were cast in a referendum on whether Mount Union should continue to exist as a town in Iowa. The vote was tied on Tuesday and was decided by one absentee ballot. The town will dissolve. (Story via KCCI, … Continue reading

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Nov 10

Republicans expand rural reach in Iowa

New York Times visualization of the 2016 presidential vote by county. Note that the Driftless Area (NE IA, SW WI, SE MN) tilted Republican, and while not strongly so, it’s in deep, stark contrast to the 2008 map. First, go read … Continue reading

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Nov 02

Jefferson Highway, White Pole Road named Iowa Byways

June 4, 2007: The start of the White Pole Road is marked at the east end of old IA 925 near Dexter. A press release from the governor’s office, reprinted on the DOT’s website, announces the creation of new Iowa … Continue reading

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Oct 31

KWWL debuts new studio, graphics package, logo

Eastern Iowa’s NBC affiliate made a lot of changes on Oct. 27, including a transition to a 7-in-a-square after being 7-in-a-circle from approximately forever ago (1979) until the digital transition. The studio also moved to its building’s second floor from … Continue reading

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Oct 14

What did Iowa do to you, ‘Designated Survivor’?

I’m trying to watch “Designated Survivor” on ABC (starring Jack Bauer! Except he’s not Jack Bauer!), but the show seems to be making an effort to lose me. After the “third deputy assistant to the press secretary” has a poor … Continue reading

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Sep 28

A tour of Grant Wood country

April 13, 2016: One of four interpretive panels about Grant Wood at the “American Gothic” House in Eldon. Open image in new tab for larger version. A Los Angeles Times reporter dropped in on Anamosa, Stone City, and Eldon, going … Continue reading

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Sep 27

Pearl Harbor chaplain’s remains coming back to Iowa

July 25, 2016: The St. Lucas Veterans Memorial prominently honors two people: Father Aloysius H. Schmitt, who died at Pearl Harbor, and Pfc. James A. Kruse, an Army medic who died in Vietnam in 1969. The U.S. Department of Defense … Continue reading

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