Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 23

Wisconsin sets expiration dates on license plates

Posted on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In 2017, Wisconsin ran out of license plates. But instead of re-resetting its alphanumeric cycle, it moved to a seven-character AAA0000 style, and let the old plates stick around. (See this Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story.) Although the base design goes back … Continue reading →

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Sep 21

Walcott could lose half its school grades

Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Davenport school district is considering changes to the grade configuration in Walcott. KWQC and WQAD both reported last week that the K-8 school there could become a middle school for grades 5-8 or 6-8. Younger students would go to … Continue reading →

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Sep 19

Manitowoc gives US 151 a trim

Posted on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 14, 2015: The now-former north end of US 151. There are those who see the above point in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and see the light at the end of the tunnel, or a long-neck at the end of a long … Continue reading →

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Sep 16

Iowa stumps the smart set again

Posted on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Monday’s “Jeopardy!” started the show’s 39th season. It has a new, extended, and varying opening, with images of prominent champions (starting with Amy Schneider) and the studio audience. One thing, however, remains the same: Iowa remains largely a mystery to … Continue reading →

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Sep 14

Another one bites the truss

Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A century-plus-old pony truss bridge in Carroll County has reached the end of its useful life. Its birth was one of the inspirations for standardization in Iowa construction. KCIM-AM reports that the Carroll County supervisors plan to replace the Storm … Continue reading →

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Sep 12

Kolache confusion

Posted on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 26, 2012: A Czech list of the food offerings in Clutier on RAGBRAI XL. While checking out various Iowa State-related places before last Saturday’s football game*, I learned something about a former ISU player. Brent “Big Play” Curvey restarted his “Coaches … Continue reading →

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Sep 09

Iowa-ISU game preview

Posted on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

One coach has won 10 games in a season three times in the past seven years; one hasn’t. One coach has been to his conference’s championship game twice in the past seven years; one has been to it once. One … Continue reading →

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Sep 07

1st and 1st in Cedar Rapids to undergo big change

Posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

First Avenue has been under construction in Cedar Rapids since late spring, and now a project in the downtown area will reshape a key intersection even more. Below I am reprinting the item from the city (linked here at the … Continue reading →

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Sep 02

Go Redhawks! Beat the Redhawks!

Posted on Friday, September 2, 2022, at 11:30 AM by Jeff

North Tama’s football season started last week with a 34-6 home opener victory against Belle Plaine (complete with converting a 3rd-and-goal at the 38!) and plays at Ackley tonight. The IHSAA, like the IGHSAU, has outsourced all statistics to the … Continue reading →

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Aug 31

Taking a cruise to Decorah

Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Viking Cruises has introduced a boat designed to ply not the oceans and seas of the world, but the Mississippi River. The Viking Mississippi will go from St. Paul to New Orleans on 15-day excursions. Decorah News reports that hundreds … Continue reading →

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