Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 29

Dinsdales, Stoakes in track hall of fame

Posted on Friday, June 29, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The stars of North Tama’s girls’ track championship four-peat were inducted into the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame earlier this month. Story: Traer Star-Clipper. Brooke and Blaire Dinsdale led the way in 2006-08, and Stoakes followed with a one-woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Dinsdales, Stoakes in track hall of fame
Jun 28

Webster County hip to Historic Highway 20

Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

December 12, 2005: Business 20 approaches US 169 on the west side of Fort Dodge. Ahead is the beginning for Business 169 (former IA 926) as well. The Historic U.S. Route 20 Association, whose work I have promoted on this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Webster County hip to Historic Highway 20
Jun 27

Tama County Farm Bureau, Extension centennial news

Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

With appearances by some familiar faces. Tama County Extension celebrates 100 years (Toledo Chronicle) Tama County Farm Bureau celebrates 100 years (Traer Star-Clipper)

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Tama County Farm Bureau, Extension centennial news
Jun 26

Photo for WQAD story looks familiar

Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A man, his wife, and their two children were all injured after he fell asleep while driving and crashed into another car in rural Fort Madison, Iowa shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 21st. https://t.co/zCZQ7ZatTT — WQAD (@wqad) June … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Photo for WQAD story looks familiar
Jun 25

Night, day, and teatime of the iguana

Posted on Monday, June 25, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As if we needed another reason to ban Florida. (warning: autoplay video) DeVita even pulled an iguana out of her toilet after it latched on to a plunger a few years ago. “In one of my bathrooms, my roommate kept hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Night, day, and teatime of the iguana
Jun 22

Save Tama’s Lincoln Highway bridge

Posted on Friday, June 22, 2018, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

July 7, 2013: A pickup crosses the Lincoln Highway bridge on the east end of Tama. Modern-day vehicles are one thing but a worse issue for the 103-year-old bridge is full-size semis using it on a truck route. A century-plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Save Tama’s Lincoln Highway bridge
Jun 21

Hiawatha’s plan to conquer Toddville

Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Fourth in a series. In my previous posts regarding population, I cited the master’s thesis “Annexation in Iowa: an analysis of the Iowa annexation statutes” by Robin Renae Habeger (1997). That, along with some digging into more recent news, brings something to light: … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Hiawatha’s plan to conquer Toddville
Jun 20

How long has Dallas County ruled Iowa’s growth charts?

Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Third in a series. The dam broke just after the 1990 census. West Des Moines had a small spot in Dallas County right before that — a portion tucked south of University Avenue that included the Des Moines Golf and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on How long has Dallas County ruled Iowa’s growth charts?
Jun 19

1980s census estimates: A bloodbath in chart form

Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Second in a series. On a national level, the 1980s had plenty of positives after a bumpy early start. In Iowa, though, like the rest of the Farm Belt, those bumpy years were part of a precipitous fall that, arguably, … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on 1980s census estimates: A bloodbath in chart form
Jun 18

The longer effects of Iowa’s rural population decline

Posted on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

First in a series. The Census Bureau released its 2017 county-level population estimates in April. It’s not a full decade, but it is seven data points, and the trend for rural counties may be even worse than it was. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The longer effects of Iowa’s rural population decline