Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 03

Public meetings on two big projects coming up

A project 40 years in the making and project that only seems like it will have been 40 years in the making are in line for Iowa DOT public meetings in the next week. An in-person hearing on the US … Continue reading

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Aug 01

‘Iowa is the most Midwestern state in the union’

If you’ve read the book, or walked/drove around last week (this week not so much), you already know that the Midwest is God’s gift to Planet Earth. But, in a region spanning from the Badlands to Appalachian Ohio, how can … Continue reading

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Jul 29

Two new ‘corridor preservation zones’ assigned

The Iowa DOT has put out a “corridor preservation notice” for two areas along four-lane roads. “Corridor preservation is a tool the Iowa DOT uses to preserve land for future highway needs,” the press releases say. One location is an interchange … Continue reading

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Jul 27

Eldora school demolished 15 years after closure

Every once in a while for a long time I would check the Eldora newspaper’s website to see if there was any progress on demolition of the 1916-17 school building. Nothing kept happening, so I let it slide. But after … Continue reading

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Jul 25

A RAGBRAI database, with some assistance

June 19, 1977/October 3, 2010: A daily map for RAGBRAI V, photographed from microfilm. The 1977 and 2022 routes share some similarities, including an overnight stop in Ida Grove, a route south of US 18 from Whittemore to New Hampton, … Continue reading

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Jul 22

Algona, Lu Verne consolidation in final stretch

A vote in September will turn what 25 years ago had been five official school districts, and 2½ high schools, into the largest one-high-school consolidated district in Iowa. Algona and Lu Verne have spent the past year going through the … Continue reading

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Jul 20

When Griswold called out Lewis

Griswold American, July 21, 1921: Seems to be Worried. If one were to judge from the following article taken from the Lewis Standard, the people of the town of Lewis are fearful lest they lose the little old White Pole … Continue reading

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Jul 18

Rodney Dangerfield, call your office (again)

From the photos with this story by the Associated Press at Big 12 Media Days last week: But then, with Cincinnati-Houston set to become a conference football game next year, can you blame them for not keeping things straight? Unrelated, … Continue reading

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Jul 15

Dubuque US 61-151 signage to be updated

June 18, 2015: This exit sign along US 61/151 in Dubuque is among those that will be replaced later this year. The opening of the Southwest Arterial, and subsequent removal of US 52 through Dubuque, resulted in a “green-out” on … Continue reading

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Jul 13

Gladbrook school demolition finishing up

June 17, 2022: The Gladbrook school was in mid-demolition during Corn Carnival. Windows and fixtures had been removed. KWWL has a story, with unembeddable video, about the Gladbrook school being demolished. The story has an error in it: The school … Continue reading

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