Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 06

50th anniversary of Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Des Moines Hoover schools

The Baby Boom-related expansion of high schools in Iowa began in 1967, when Iowa’s two largest cities opened new buildings. Des Moines Hoover celebrated its anniversary last week (above). Herbert Hoover, Iowa’s only native son elected president, had died three years … Continue reading

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Sep 05

50th anniversary of KMEG

Iowa’s youngest “big three” network affiliate turns 50 years old today. KMEG Channel 14 in Sioux City, a CBS station, is the only such affiliate in Iowa on the UHF spectrum. The switch to digital has largely rendered the VHF/UHF … Continue reading

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Sep 01

Facing the giants

In back-to-back games eight months apart, Iowa State went toe-to-toe with college football royalty and blinked. Or, alternatively, the college football gods noticed what was going on and engineered a snap recalibration. December 27, 2001, Purgatory Shreveport LA The year … Continue reading

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Aug 31

Meeting reveals I-29/480 interchange final plans

On Aug. 15, the DOT held a meeting in Council Bluffs to go over the proposal for, and final environmental assessment of, a completely redone I-29/I-480 interchange in Council Bluffs. As you can see in the handout (PDF), the “interchange … Continue reading

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Aug 30

Interstate system extends around Carson City

The trivia question about state capitals not on the interstate system got a different answer in 2012, and now the connection is complete. The final segment of I-580 running south from Reno to Carson City NV opened Aug. 2. (Interstate … Continue reading

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Aug 29

Second I-80 “public meeting” video online

The DOT’s “I-80 Planning Study Public Meeting #2” video, about 11 minutes long, is online. It has had fewer than 400 views since being uploaded to YouTube a month ago. Perhaps I can help with that: For some reason, all … Continue reading

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Aug 28

Adel, Waukee now touch each other

The sprawl monster has 4,500 more acres of Iowa to feast on. A few months ago, Waukee added two huge tracts of land* and one smaller one in annexation procedures. The vast majority is undeveloped but that will change. A … Continue reading

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Aug 26

Update: Gladbrook-Reinbeck dropping to 8

In Friday’s football post, I remarked about a prediction that Gladbrook-Reinbeck would drop to 8-man football next year. Turns out that is indeed the case, and I was unaware. GR is playing 8 at the junior high and JV levels already … Continue reading

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Aug 25

Football season already?

OK, 2017 is coming, I told myself months ago. Year after a presidential election. I can clear my miles-long backlog of things to read and watch. Certainly August, when Congress is in recess, will be a time to get stuff … Continue reading

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Aug 24

End of the buffet line

The closure of Ryan’s Steakhouse on Collins Road in Cedar Rapids in June was so abrupt that the employees weren’t notified. I was reminded that it was closed when I drove past it this week. And then it hit me: … Continue reading

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