Author Archives: Jeff

Feb 05

US 20 in Wisconsin, barely sort of

Posted on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A two sentence press release with an up and down: The Iowa DOT is requesting public input on the proposed bridge improvements to U.S. 20 over the Mississippi River, in Dubuque County. Could it be? Is four lanes over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on US 20 in Wisconsin, barely sort of
Feb 04

Clay Central-Everly looks at its options

Posted on Monday, February 4, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 3, 2016: It says “Royal Public School” but it’s now the elementary school for Clay Central-Everly. An addition and the main entrance are off to the right. The Clay Central-Everly school district in northwest Iowa, where enrollment has dropped … Continue reading →

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Feb 01

Seattle tunnel project an infrastructure achievement

Posted on Friday, February 1, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

When a major highway project happens in a big city anymore (and by “big” I mean “pro-team caliber”), the news is notable precisely because it doesn’t happen that often. Last year, for example, we had the long-long-long-term completion of Interstate … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Seattle tunnel project an infrastructure achievement
Jan 31

South Page gives up sports

Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

March 11, 2011: A dugout remains for an abandoned baseball diamond beside the abandoned Coin school. Coin is one of five tiny towns that formed the South Page Community School District in 1959. At its January board meeting, the South … Continue reading →

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Jan 30

PSA from the Empire Weather Service

Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

If you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring your tauntauns inside.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on PSA from the Empire Weather Service
Jan 28

Mallard school will be demolished

Posted on Monday, January 28, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

2017 photo via Iowa Geographic Map Server The Mallard City Council doesn’t want the largest building in town. The West Bend-Mallard school district had a work session with the Mallard City Council on October 16 to discuss the fate of … Continue reading →

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Jan 25

Matchstick Marvels’ latest creation — and expiration date

Posted on Friday, January 25, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Pat Acton of Gladbrook has been making very large things out of matchsticks for a long time. But supplies are running out. His latest creation is a 2/3-scale 1970 Dodge Charger with working lights. It is in Gladbrook for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Matchstick Marvels’ latest creation — and expiration date
Jan 24

Shopko closures hit small county seats

Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

February 9, 2012: The Bloomfield Pamida is shown shortly after the announcement that the small-scale retailer’s merger with Shopko would result in the Pamida name disappearing. The smallest stores, like this one, were rebranded Shopko Hometown. The retailpocalypse is big, … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Shopko closures hit small county seats
Jan 23

Waukee changes elementary boundaries. Again.

Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The as-yet-unnamed second Waukee high school is 2½ years from opening, and before that time, school officials will have to plot out a feeder system. First, though, it has to cope with an entire district’s worth of students pouring in … Continue reading →

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Jan 22

Last walk through Webster City Kmart

Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 10:05 AM by Jeff

According to the June 18, 1981, Daily Freeman-Journal, “several hundred people” were waiting when the new K-mart opened its doors in Webster City. It was the most prominent big-box retailer to have a store in Hamilton County. Webster City already … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Last walk through Webster City Kmart