Category Archives: Tama County

Feb 14

Double or nothing

After the current Iowa Legislature session is over, a real scramble will begin as state legislators and challengers have to introduce themselves to new electorates. The 2020s redistricting plan, for the first time since the 1970s,* separates Traer from Tama-Toledo, … Continue reading

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Jan 24

North Tama continues look at infrastructure

Earlier this month, the North Tama school board had another work session to discuss long-term plans for the school complex, reports the North Tama Telegraph. A “hefty packet” of information about construction possibilities and, more importantly, funding options was offered … Continue reading

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Jan 03

Street View has visited Tama County

Far too many times I have looked at images on Google Maps Street View and wished that, instead of covering the same roads multiple times, the vehicles would go out and capture either the roads that are only in low … Continue reading

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Dec 17

Geneseo school’s 100th anniversary

September 23, 2011: The 1920 Geneseo Township school building was featured in a Des Moines Register article on Barb and Dave Else’s book, For All The Small Schools, cataloging Iowa’s abandoned schools. It’s in the small percentage built alone on … Continue reading

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Dec 15

Dinsdale school’s 100th anniversary

The Dinsdale Consolidated School District was approved by voters in January 1920, and construction on a new school began shortly thereafter. The above is a picture of the new consolidated school building at Dinsdale. The building is modern in every … Continue reading

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Oct 22

North Tama football’s longest road trip

North Tama football lost by a combined 42-0 in its last two games, so the Redhawks are on the road for the “first round” of the playoffs. (I will not get used to calling round-of-32 the first round, let alone consider … Continue reading

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Oct 04

Traer bridge once carried IA 58

September 13, 2021: The 1st Street bridge over Coon Creek is used to get to the Traer airport, although “airport” is generous for the grass strip. In deep background is an old elevator damaged (I think) in the 2020 derecho. … Continue reading

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Sep 20

Razing 1917 building an option for North Tama

WAIT WHAT July 7, 2021: North Tama’s 1917 school building, as seen from 7th Street in Traer. The concrete steps to the door are relatively new and used to have tannish-orange edges like you see lining the bottom of the … Continue reading

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Sep 18

Go Big … Black?

[rant] WHY IS NORTH TAMA WEARING BLACK PANTS BLACK IS NOT A NORTH TAMA COLOR WHY CAN’T ANYONE WHO DOESN’T HAVE BLACK AS A SCHOOL COLOR BE HAPPY WITH THEIR UNIFORMS [/rant] But hey, big Homecoming win.

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Sep 15

Cafe 218 is gone; Dollar General coming to Dysart?

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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