Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Jan 06

Greetings from Hoth

When it gets below 250 Kelvin, you know you’re in trouble. Remember, being cold builds character. Des Moines’ three lowest highs for Jan. 6 are -10, -3, and a balmy 1 above; Waterloo’s are -15, -6, and -5. Monday’s temperature … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Greetings from Hoth
Jan 04

On the DOT’s new logo

When the Iowa Department of Transportation released its redesigned homepage in July, I was very disgruntled. I saw the triumph of style over substance, a three-button splash screen that obscured more than it helped. (In other words, I had the … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on On the DOT’s new logo
Jan 03

IA 2 no longer runs through Fort Madison

December 18, 2006: Near the foot of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in Fort Madison, all three components of this sign assembly have changed: US 61 is now Business 61, the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous, Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on IA 2 no longer runs through Fort Madison
Jan 02

Ox Yoke Innterstate on I-80 closed

The Ox Yoke Innterstate restaurant at the I-80/US 151 interchange has closed, reports the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The original in the Amana Colonies will remain open. Business likely suffered after the Wasserbahn water park across the street closed in June. … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Ox Yoke Innterstate on I-80 closed
Dec 31

Census: Iowa has grown 1.45% since 2010

According to the census estimate for 2013 (link to page with Excel spreadsheet which may not have the state names but is in alphabetical order), Iowa has 3,090,416 people, which is an increase of about 44,000 people and 1.45% from the … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Census: Iowa has grown 1.45% since 2010
Dec 26

Albion Methodist Church building to be torn down

This isn’t in Tama County, but close, and it’s right there for everyone to see on IA 330 in Albion. I saw the “No Trespassing” sign on the plywood covering the entrance of Albion UMC, and I wanted to find … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Albion Methodist Church building to be torn down
Dec 24

So cold it broke the chart

Readings taken in Marshalltown this morning, from the National Weather Service: Merry Christmas.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on So cold it broke the chart
Dec 20

Ron Burgundy is an Iowan

Will Ferrell is taking this “Anchorman” thing very seriously. In addition to various in-character appearances on TV, he wrote a book — not as Will Ferrell, as Ron Burgundy. As in, you can buy a fictional character’s autobiography. (Random observation: … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Ron Burgundy is an Iowan
Dec 15

Logo similarity

The website for WDAM in southern Mississippi uses this logo on the bottom of the page (the NBC logo is absent in the header):  (wdam.com) That bears an uncanny similarity to what KWWL used earlier this century, but currently does … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Logo similarity
Dec 13

Iowa DOT wants to close interstate rest areas

I don’t have time for a full-fledged writeup about this important issue at this time, but here are some links: Iowa plans to close some rest stops (Des Moines Register) Plan to close rest stops worries truckers (Des Moines Register) … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous, Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa DOT wants to close interstate rest areas