Author Archives: Jeff

Dec 06

Cedar Rapids, Fairfax finally touch

Posted on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

(Delayed until I needed fillers. — Ed.) Despite annexations in the southwest quadrant of Cedar Rapids over the past half-decade, the city limits have never touched Fairfax. The right-of-way for Williams Boulevard (US 151) around the intersection with Stoney Point … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Maps | Comments Off on Cedar Rapids, Fairfax finally touch
Dec 04

Traer Theatre needs ten grand

Posted on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 10:04 AM by Jeff

The Traer Theatre is in financial trouble again. The North Tama Telegraph reports that last month, the sound system went out and has added to the strain. The theater is looking to raise $10,000 to pay for the repairs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Traer Theatre needs ten grand
Dec 01

Big 12 traitors as Taylor Swift songs

Posted on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 10:05 AM by Jeff

I admit you’ll need to know a little (OK a lot) about college football and a little (OK a lot) about Taylor Swift to fully appreciate my latest Substack post, but those who do get it, I hope you like … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Big 12 traitors as Taylor Swift songs
Nov 29

Misspellings and errors since June 29

Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Just because I haven’t been a professional copy editor for five months doesn’t mean I stopped seeing typos and errors … everywhere. The most galling one, since I saw it every week for months, is that the IowaWORKS pop-up screen at … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Misspellings and errors since June 29
Nov 27

Early Iowa college football on TV, part 2

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I should’ve posted this Friday, since it was on my Substack the week before last. This is the second part of a look at college football on TV pertaining to Iowa, and a game that set the tone for a … Continue reading →

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Nov 22

Belle Plaine, Reinbeck churches in second wave of UMC disaffiliations

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 12:53 PM by Jeff

On New Year’s Day 2023, Grundy County had four United Methodist Churches. On New Year’s Eve 2023, it will have one. Two of the churches, in Conrad and Grundy Center, disaffiliated from the UMC in May (officially June 30) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Belle Plaine, Reinbeck churches in second wave of UMC disaffiliations
Nov 20

Floyd interchange fully opens today

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Thanksgiving week traditionally means the end of Iowa’s construction season. This year, that’s being marked with the opening of the US 18/218 interchange in Floyd today and tomorrow. The DOT has a press release and the Charles City Press has … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Floyd interchange fully opens today
Nov 17

Southeast Warren to close Lacona school

Posted on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

One of the few small districts in Iowa still maintaining buildings in three different communities is closing one of them. Southeast Warren’s intermediate school in Lacona, which holds grades 4-6, will close at the end of this school year. KCCI … Continue reading →

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Nov 15

I-80 bridge meeting today

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 10:20 AM by Jeff

October 13, 2006: The present I-80 Mississippi River bridge at Le Claire has no shoulders. The preferred design for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge is to be revealed this afternoon in an online presentation. Registration is via website. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on I-80 bridge meeting today
Nov 13

Election Day and ballot silliness

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My Substack post with a Tama County Election Day hook, that also took a look at the ballot structures for combined city/school elections, made Saturday’s display at the Iowa Capital Dispatch. If you like, please subscribe! (Better yet, chip in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on Election Day and ballot silliness