Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 27

My Iowa State Fair column for 2024

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I had an idea fall into my lap, and I didn’t take it. Also, it rained that Monday, the first time it’s rained on me at the fair since 2015. However, I had a good second idea, and that’s what … Continue reading →

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Aug 23

Hills school to be demolished

Posted on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 2, 2024: Hills Elementary is just off US 218 … but not for long. Hills Elementary School, which was closed at the end of the 2023-24 school year, will be demolished after just short of 60 years in existence. … Continue reading →

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Aug 21

Hess Road-La Porte Road under construction

Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A construction project on Hess Road and La Porte Road on the south side of Waterloo started last week. The plan dates back to 2020 (large slideshow PDF here). It starts with a new roundabout at Hess and Shaulis roads and … Continue reading →

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Aug 19

What’s the frequency, Jim and Beth?

Posted on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In what appears to be a long-delayed follow-up from a request entered in 2021, KCRG is changing its antenna signal. However, the station is remaining branded as Channel 9 and this only affects antenna users. According to the station’s website, … Continue reading →

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Aug 15

Lighthouse Inn supper club burns down

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Lighthouse Inn supper club on Mount Vernon Road east of Cedar Rapids, a Lincoln Highway landmark, burned to the ground on Wednesday. Stories: Gazette, KCRG.

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Aug 13

New signing for Vining

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Tama County’s smallest incorporated place has new welcome signs. A recent transplant to the town offered to paint custom signs for all three entrances. The North Tama Telegraph has the story and photos. Yes, there are TWO tiny Tama County … Continue reading →

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Aug 09

Winding Stairs Festival 2024 this weekend

Posted on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Traer’s annual festival is back, and bigger than last year. The “Shine and Show” car show is part of Winding Stairs Festival this year, instead of being on a separate date in July. The cars might be part of the parade … Continue reading →

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Aug 07

The last North Iowa Tractor Ride

Posted on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Due to sleeping until noon a lot time constraints and events, I didn’t get this Substack story from August in here earlier.

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Aug 06

Lane additions on US 63 planned for 2026

Posted on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Last month the Iowa DOT held a meeting in Tama about turning US 63 into a Super-2 highway. Two large PDFs are online. The project is scheduled for 2026. Traffic will be detoured onto IA 8 and IA 21 and … Continue reading →

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Aug 02

Orient-Macksburg can’t dissolve next year

Posted on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The below is what happens when you sit on a post too long and it gets overtaken by events. — Ed. The dissolution (not “dissolvement”) of the Orient-Macksburg school district is proceeding mostly as I expected, with a catch that … Continue reading →

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