Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 12

60th anniversary of Walcott truck stop

Posted on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The location now known as the Iowa 80 Truckstop, or the “World’s Largest Truckstop”, opened at the Walcott exit on I-80 six decades ago. It is also the 45th anniversary of the Truckers Jamboree there. Stories: Quad-City Times via Cedar … Continue reading →

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Jul 09

Randalia has disincorporated

Posted on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The 897th-largest town in Iowa isn’t a town anymore. KCRG reports that Randalia, in Fayette County, officially unincorporated on June 30. The town’s population was 84 in 2000, but had fallen to 50 in 2020. The story said that to … Continue reading →

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Jul 08

Interstate 11 extended through Las Vegas

Posted on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This isn’t an Iowa story, obviously, but it’s important for the interstate system as a whole. The Nevada DOT is replacing Interstate 515, which ran southeast from Las Vegas toward the Hoover Dam area, with Interstate 11. The I-11 designation … Continue reading →

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Jul 05

Breakdown of 2025-29 highway plan

Posted on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10:44 AM by Jeff

My annual breakdown of the big stuff planned for construction in the Iowa DOT’s five-year plan is on Substack.

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Jul 01

Sing, sang, sung

Posted on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Associated Press needs someone to copy-edit its news alerts, especially on weekends. That should be “formerly incarcerated” not “formally incarcerated.” If anyone is being informally incarcerated something strange is going on. (note: the author’s work schedule has always included … Continue reading →

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Jun 28

CR sells schools right before new law takes effect

Posted on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:30 AM by Jeff

A case earlier this school year where a public school district refused to sell a closed building to a private school led to a bill late in the first part of the Iowa legislative session. That bill mandated that if … Continue reading →

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Jun 25

Last walk through Goldfield school

Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My Substack piece looks at the history of the Goldfield school building and neighboring Boone Valley school district. It takes in the building’s current state as an alumna tours the building. Of course Mom recorded everything.

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Jun 21

License Plate Letters — OQX

Posted on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

We’re halfway through the O’s. Back when I was in Des Moines there was a time when I spent Sunday afternoons with a small group of Scrabble players. It took me MONTHS to win my first game, and even then, … Continue reading →

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Jun 19

Dysart grocery store in danger of closing

Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Bobby’s Grocery and BBQ in Dysart, formerly Terry’s Food Center, could close soon without a rapid infusion of cash. Stories: North Tama Telegraph, KWWL, KCRG. KCRG is wrong on one detail: The nearest grocery store is in Traer (9 miles), not … Continue reading →

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Jun 17

Lincoln Highway double feature

Posted on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A Model T Ford crossing the country for the anniversary of the “10 millionth” car doing the same in 1924 was delayed in coming to Iowa. That meant that not only could I check it out last Wednesday, but I … Continue reading →

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