Author Archives: Jeff

Dec 17

Hardcore gaming, meet hardcore farming

Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at 10:15 AM by Jeff

“Farming simulator is way bigger, more fun than you think” from Vice: I’ve done many challenging things in games recently, from slaying hordes of humanoid rats in Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide, to beating the magic-casting game Magicka 2. But the most … Continue reading →

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Dec 16

If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve

Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A reversal of sorts from Monday’s blog item about Branstad: Second Swaledale write-in candidate turns down council seat Is it possible more tiny towns in Iowa will end up disincorporating because they can’t get people to run the town? This … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on If nominated I will not run; if elected I will not serve
Dec 15

A sense of humor, the DOT has

Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Drivers on major Iowa highways yesterday were greeted with a batch of “Star Wars”-related messages encouraging good traffic safety practices. Did you know “Star Wars Episode VII” comes out Friday? (he typed, while a Star Wars-themed Ford commercial played on … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A sense of humor, the DOT has
Dec 14

Branstad now nation’s longest-serving governor

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For Iowans born after 1974 (including myself), Terry Branstad has run Iowa for more than half our lives. Now his record for longest-serving governor in US history is official. On Monday, Terry Branstad will have been Iowa’s governor for one … Continue reading →

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Dec 11

License Plate Letters — DXY

Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It looks like the state of Iowa will come close to using up four letters’ worth of plates in a span of three years and three months. There are a few stragglers out there whose county offices didn’t check the … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — DXY
Dec 10

Chambers Ford Bridge is doomed

Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 30, 2015: The Chambers Ford Bridge west of Belle Plaine has been closed to traffic for years. It consists of spans built in 1890 and 1903. No buyers came forward for the Chambers Ford Bridge over the Iowa River … Continue reading →

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Dec 09

Forevergreen Road plans out, including six-lane I-380

Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The plan for construction of an I-380 exit at Forevergreen Road in North Liberty is out. It includes upgrading I-380 to six lanes under Forevergreen but narrowing to two to the north. South of there, I-380 will be six-laned as … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Forevergreen Road plans out, including six-lane I-380
Dec 08

Bloomington Road bridge is a goner

Posted on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 24, 2013: The Bloomington Road bridge over Big Creek in Linn County is part of the Lincoln Highway loop route through Marion. Linn County had it taken down at the end of 2015. As previously noted, a classic truss bridge in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Bloomington Road bridge is a goner
Dec 07

Iowa’s second diverging diamond planned for Ankeny

Posted on Monday, December 7, 2015, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Last week, shortly after the first diverging diamond interchange in Iowa opened in Dallas County, the Iowa DOT released plans for a second interchange of that style, also in the Des Moines metro area. The DOT has multiple maps and … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Iowa’s second diverging diamond planned for Ankeny
Dec 04

Politico: Iowa still matters

Posted on Friday, December 4, 2015, at 10:03 AM by Jeff

As the Iowa caucuses get nearer, so too does criticism about the state’s role in the presidential process. But Colin Woodard, whose research has divided much of North America into 11 “nations,” writes in Politico that Iowa’s settlement heritage makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Maps | Comments Off on Politico: Iowa still matters