Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 02

The Not Daily Times Herald

As of this week, Iowa has one fewer daily newspaper. The paper that from World War II until now was known as the Daily Times Herald is becoming the Carroll Times-Herald, with publication on Tuesdays and Fridays. The announcement also … Continue reading

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Apr 01

The wreck of a week that was

The Iowa State women lost, at home, to an 11-seed, making me 0-for-2 in personal attendance this season… …while the Iowa women made the Elite Eight — to face the big bad of the Big 12. (And the Iowa men … Continue reading

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Mar 30

An unfortunate closing in the nick of time

In 1978, as enrollment in the South Page school district was falling*, the district closed its attendance centers in both Braddyville and Coin. It was a far cry from the optimism of just over a decade earlier, when voters approved … Continue reading

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Mar 28

See the Apollo 11 documentary, if it’s not too late

Do you like history? Do you like space? Do you like watching great Americans do great things? Do you like watching ordinary Americans do great things? Do you want to see a nation that believes in itself pushing the boundaries … Continue reading

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Mar 27

Ottumwa inflicting roundabouts on Business 34

June 11, 2007: Almost all the signs for Business 34 in Ottumwa are like this. It’s very weird. This is facing east on Albia Road as Business 34 turns onto Ferry Street, an intersection that’s being turned into a roundabout. … Continue reading

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Mar 26

‘Orville’ production design drops the ball

It’s probably understandable that a 25th-century spaceship crew doesn’t know what a newspaper is. It’s not understandable that a 21st-century production design and/or prop team can’t be accurate. In last week’s episode of “The Orville” (a show I have fangirled … Continue reading

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Mar 25

Shopko is toast

The deep bleeding that was already coming out earlier this year is complete, as the Shopko retail chain filed for bankruptcy and liquidation last week. The remaining dozen stores in Iowa that had escaped the earlier closures — based on this … Continue reading

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Mar 23

Worst. Basketball. Day. Ever.

March 22, 2019: Drake’s Becca Hittner (arms up) turns after being whistled for a foul in the closing second of overtime against Missouri in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Yes, I watched basketball in person Friday. No, Iowa State wasn’t … Continue reading

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Mar 22

A Fennelly year ending in 9

Bill Fennelly has never been Big 12 Coach of the Year. It’s almost always given to the coach of the first-place team. The one time Iowa State was top seed in the conference tournament (2000), the award went to Oklahoma’s … Continue reading

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Mar 21

Marking the Marathon to Marathon

July 23, 2009: Welcome sign for Marathon at the south end of former IA 390. Nearly a decade later, the paint on the church sign had noticeably faded. It’s 16 years to the day since I set foot in Marathon in the … Continue reading

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