Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 15

Tama County Farm Bureau 100th anniversary

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Tonight, the Tama County Farm Bureau celebrates its centennial with a dinner at the Traer Memorial Building. The Iowa Farm Bureau also turns 100 years old this year. Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Hill will speak tonight. The Farm Bureau … Continue reading →

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Jun 14

A Wisconsin town loses its school, and the New York Times is on it

Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Sound familiar? But the reality of rural life in the Midwest, school officials say, is that younger people are fleeing. They want Starbucks and Thai restaurants, plentiful jobs and high-speed internet, and when they start families, they want schools with … Continue reading →

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Jun 13

Is Fazoli’s sizzling or fizzling?

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

If you believe articles from an industry publication, the fast-casual Italian food franchise Fazoli’s is in good shape and plans to release “a completely clean food menu” this summer. (Because chemicals are bad, you see, and unpopular with the youths.) … Continue reading →

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Jun 12

Sabula ferry service offered

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Starting today, the Iowa DOT is offering “complimentary vehicular/passenger ferry service” across the Mississippi River from Sabula to Savanna. This would last at least through the summer because of the delays in construction of the overflow bridge. There’s also a … Continue reading →

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Jun 11

Still lost in Younkers

Posted on Monday, June 11, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

April 23, 2018: If you want to assemble a clothing collection, now’s the time; Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids is having dueling down-to-the-walls sell-offs at Younkers and Sears. The upbeat tone of the “closing forever” radio ads is a little … Continue reading →

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Jun 07

What’s Russian for ‘nuance’?

Posted on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

I don’t/didn’t watch FX’s “The Americans” — or any “prestige TV” for that matter — but I happened to find the contrast in these points funny. (If, that is, the phrasing wasn’t supposed to be a tell.) From the New … Continue reading →

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Jun 06

Current bypass philosophy, 61 corridor interests at odds

Posted on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As late guests to the state’s bypass party, Mediapolis and Wapello are the beneficiaries of about 25 years of such work — or, depending on your point of view, the victims. The “preferred alternative” for a four-lane US 61 from … Continue reading →

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Jun 05

Kim Reynolds’ first ascension

Posted on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The public notice page of the July 15, 1993, Osceola Sentinel Tribune started off with the minutes of the Clarke County Board of Supervisors’ June 30 meeting. Between a seasonal-employee hire and rejecting bids on care of the courthouse lawn … Continue reading →

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Jun 04

US 400 is a deeply, deeply stupid highway

Posted on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 7, 2008: There’s a random 14-mile stretch of controlled-access two-lane US 400 in southeastern Kansas. This photo is in the middle of it, between Neodesha and Independence. Once 400 hooks up with US 54 77 miles west of here, it … Continue reading →

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Jun 01

The end of Old Army Post Road

Posted on Friday, June 1, 2018, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 6, 2004: From 2002 to 2016, this view was looking east on Army Post Road to IA 28, whereupon the street changed designation to Old Army Post Road. IA 28 then “re-intersected” the new Army Post Road to the … Continue reading →

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