Author Archives: Jeff

Mar 05

Victor I-80 rest area reopens

Posted on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The westbound I-80 rest area south of Victor opened at the end of February, the Iowa DOT said in a press release. It closed in October for full reconstruction. “The rest area’s theme, ‘Modernization of America,’ displays murals that celebrate … Continue reading →

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Mar 03

Mandated March spring break a possibility

Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My Substack “sports grab bag” a month ago started with the re-emergence of the “Iowa High School Sports History” website and also mentioned a good bill in the Legislature (mandating acceptance of cash for event admissions) and a very bad … Continue reading →

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Feb 25

Orient school demolished

Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The main building of Orient-Macksburg Community School District has been demolished before the district technically ceases to exist. WOI has a story with video of the demolition. The stone “Orient Consolidated School” plinth above the main entrance was removed beforehand. … Continue reading →

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Feb 20

Shenandoah, Red Oak Burger Kings to close

Posted on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:05 AM by Jeff

If you want food along the IA 48 corridor, your options are more limited. KMA Radio reports that Shenandoah and Red Oak are going to lose their Burger King restaurants on Monday. They’re the only locations in Iowa south of … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off

Feb 17

Conway moves to disincorporate

Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 17, 2014: There are no paved streets in Conway, although from 1935-61 it was the east end of IA 319. Iowa’s third-smallest town is going to be no more. The City Development Board agenda for last week’s meeting has … Continue reading →

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Feb 12

The Mormon Trail in Van Buren County

Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My visit to Van Buren County on Jan. 18 was a two-fer for stories. The Historic Hills Scenic Byway coordinator made the Iowaville presentation the cornerstone of a two-day, multiple-location tour of sites along the byway. This second presentation, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off

Feb 10

The story of Iowaville

Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A visit to Lacey-Keosauqua State Park kicked off the first of what I hope will be multiple stories of Iowa history related to Iowa Scenic Byways and America 250. The presentation focused on an Ioway village rediscovered a few decades … Continue reading →

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Feb 07

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty

Posted on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources does NOT want you to say that when you see a bobcat, but LOOKIT. When I saw “Meet Comet” in the alert, I thought it had to be a sports-related name, and yes, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off

Feb 03

2025 by the numbers

Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Rather than look ahead as I did in previous year-opening Substack pieces, I looked back. This is a compilation of dollar figures, percentages, and other numbers that caught my eye over the course of 2025.

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Jan 29

Curve change planned for F48

Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A county road project this year ties into Iowa highway history in Jasper County. The Newton News reports that the “third phase” of a project on County Road F48 west of Colfax includes widening the curve at 124th Street. The … Continue reading →

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