Author Archives: Jeff

Mar 23

Traer Star-Clipper office closing

March 16, 2018/June 27, 1930: “The Traer Star-Clipper is still ‘the best weekly newspaper in the United States,’ according to the judges of the annual contest conducted by the National Editorial association for the promotion of better weekly newspapers…” Traer … Continue reading

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Mar 22

License Plate Letters — GTE and a rogue CTY

GTE used to be a household acronym in much of rural Iowa; it was the phone company. At the turn of the 21st century, GTE’s Iowa assets were sold to Iowa Network Services, which within a year turned into Iowa … Continue reading

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — GTE and a rogue CTY
Mar 21

Stories from the Bureau of Justice

In the opening credits of “The X-Files” (a show whose return didn’t conceal the fact it was old enough to have a theme song) is an intentional error I hadn’t noticed until this season. The ID badges in the opening … Continue reading

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Mar 20

Small gym an issue in Graettinger-Terril bond issue

Construction of a new gymnasium to replace a “non-regulation” one is a major component of a bond referendum April 6 in the Graettinger-Terril school district. A former school board member told the Spencer Daily Reporter that GT “is the only district … Continue reading

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Mar 19

Trees a casualty of Waukon sidewalk plan

Sidewalks are a good thing to have. In many towns, though, they could use some freshening up. However, a simple plan for improvements sooner or later will encounter the Americans With Disabilities Act. (And then there’s Windsor Heights, whose residents … Continue reading

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Trees a casualty of Waukon sidewalk plan
Mar 16

A very pre-emptive turnover of not-old 61

In the Transportation Commission’s March meeting this week, a transfer of jurisdiction for US 61 in Des Moines County was approved. But here’s the thing: It’s not the recently rerouted portion of 61 (which was in Louisa County). It’s not … Continue reading

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on A very pre-emptive turnover of not-old 61
Mar 15

Missouri Valley bypass idea is WAY out there

A DOT public meeting earlier this week (postponed from earlier because of bad weather) laid out two “study areas” for a US 30 bypass of Missouri Valley, and one of them is off the beaten path. Like, way off. Like, … Continue reading

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Mar 14

Roundabouts to be inflicted on urban Lincoln Highway segment

Johnson Avenue in western Cedar Rapids carried the Lincoln Highway, and then US 30, until 1940. Back then, it was outside the city. Nowadays, it’s a minor urban arterial that’s about to be reduced in capacity. The city of Cedar … Continue reading

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Mar 13

When the Navy landed in Ottumwa

In the middle of World War II, 75 years ago today, the U.S. Naval Air Station opened north of Ottumwa. It served as a training site for cadets. The most famous Navy personnel to pass through were future president Richard … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on When the Navy landed in Ottumwa
Mar 12

Two more videos for Sabula

First, from the Illinois DOT, the implosion of the Savanna-Sabula bridge Friday: Second, from the Iowa DOT last year, a video rendering of the construction process for the replacement overflow bridge that was closed Feb. 26:

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