Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 07

‘Tidings from Traer’

Posted on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 3:00 PM by Jeff

August 9, 2008: The north side of Traer’s business block was constructed after a fire in 1894 burned the whole thing down. Toledo Chronicle, August 7, 1873: The town of Traer, the present terminus of the Pacific branch of the … Continue reading →

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Aug 06

The Big 12’s expansion, copy-edited

Posted on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM by Jeff

An unemployed copy editor is a hungry copy editor. The news story on Cyclone Fanatic about Big 12 expansion provided a buffet. This is done with Adobe Acrobat’s markup tools, although I used the old-school “remove character” mark for visibility. A … Continue reading →

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Aug 04

The Iowa State Fair: An appreciation

Posted on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM by Jeff

My latest Substack column is about something I love. I admit that after going 0-for-3 in job interviews over five weeks, I’m not feeling the last sentence I wrote for it right now. Please subscribe, with money if you feel … Continue reading →

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Aug 02

IKM-Manning trying again on bond issue

Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For the third time in four years, the IKM-Manning school district is trying to close the building in Irwin by building an addition in Manning. At a meeting in July, the board approved a vote for November, the Carroll Times … Continue reading →

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Jul 31

100th anniversary of Reed-Niland corner in Colo

Posted on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 5, 2013: The Colo Motel at the Reed-Niland corner. In 1923, a Colo farmer began a gas station at the east junction of the Lincoln and Jefferson highways. The station, which expanded to include a restaurant and lodging, thrived … Continue reading →

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Jul 28

Pottawattamie County supervisor plan goes up for vote

Posted on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On August 1, Pottawattamie County is going to find out if its current county supervisors plan is going to change. The county currently has five supervisors elected on an at-large basis. The groups that led the petition drive to change … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Pottawattamie County supervisor plan goes up for vote
Jul 27

MMMFW

Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I have explored the most infamous headline in Iowa history: “Manly Man Marries Fertile Woman.” Read, like, subscribe, etc. over at my Substack.

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Jul 25

Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI maps available

Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2008: Riders enter Tama on RAGBRAI XXXVI. Tama-Toledo is again a host community this year. RAGBRAI will be going from Des Moines to Tama-Toledo on Thursday, and highs are expected to be in the upper 90s. By the … Continue reading →

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Jul 24

Sandblasting, new paint for Winding Stairs

Posted on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 9, 2023: Crop of a picture of the Winding Stairs, before cleaning. On July 16, Traer’s iconic Winding Stairs had a refreshment. It wasn’t a drink, but a full-on sandblast followed by a new coat of paint. The North … Continue reading →

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Jul 21

Here comes the I-35 flyover ramp

Posted on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The “Stage 3A” plan for the northeast mixmaster includes this sign on eastbound I-80. The present gantry has the BGS for the left exit on I-35 with a 45 mph limit. What has been perhaps Iowa’s most notorious left-hand interstate … Continue reading →

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