Author Archives: Jeff

Oct 01

Louisa County stops paying the ferryman

Posted on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The distinction between farm-to-market and local roads once mattered to a great degree in highway systems. Even now, the designation is maintained, and the former is described as roads that “provide all-weather routes to destination points”. So when a county … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Louisa County stops paying the ferryman
Sep 29

Bella Vista bypass opens this week

Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

One of the Midwest’s longest-promised highway projects that never seemed to get off the ground for years is opening this week. The Bella Vista bypass will go across the Arkansas-Missouri state line and create a full four-lane I-49 from Fort … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Bella Vista bypass opens this week
Sep 28

It is the children who are wrong

Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Verge:  Gradually, Garland came to the same realization that many of her fellow educators have reached in the past four years: the concept of file folders and directories, essential to previous generations’ understanding of computers, is gibberish to many … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on It is the children who are wrong
Sep 27

Notes on first 2020s redistricting map

Posted on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

So, I didn’t win Redistricting Powerball. Oh well. Ironically, my very first map based on 2019 population estimates — and, to a lesser extent, Mock 21 — came closest to pegging the new 1st District. The overall variance is 99, … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on Notes on first 2020s redistricting map
Sep 24

Third loop at I-80/380 going away

Posted on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

March 12, 2007: When IA 27 was created, signs on I-80 were retrofitted with mini-shields to save space. It’s this exit that will be going away next week. The Tiffin exit will serve as the turnaround. The first loop ramp … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Third loop at I-80/380 going away
Sep 22

It’s 941, not 939

Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I should have said something earlier. I should have said it when I made a post about it. The two Nebraska students who visited “all 939” towns in Iowa this summer — and got another article in the Register — … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on It’s 941, not 939
Sep 20

Razing 1917 building an option for North Tama

Posted on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

WAIT WHAT July 7, 2021: North Tama’s 1917 school building, as seen from 7th Street in Traer. The concrete steps to the door are relatively new and used to have tannish-orange edges like you see lining the bottom of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Tama County | Comments Off on Razing 1917 building an option for North Tama
Sep 18

Go Big … Black?

Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

[rant] WHY IS NORTH TAMA WEARING BLACK PANTS BLACK IS NOT A NORTH TAMA COLOR WHY CAN’T ANYONE WHO DOESN’T HAVE BLACK AS A SCHOOL COLOR BE HAPPY WITH THEIR UNIFORMS [/rant] But hey, big Homecoming win.

Posted in Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on Go Big … Black?
Sep 17

School timeline mega-update: 1968-70, plus compilations

Posted on Friday, September 17, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2016: “There will be an informal opening of the new gymnasium at the Sharpsburg school on Saturday evening, October 10, at 8:00 o’clock [sic]. A snappy program is planned, followed by a lunch consisting of sandwiches, pie, pickles … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on School timeline mega-update: 1968-70, plus compilations
Sep 15

Cafe 218 is gone; Dollar General coming to Dysart?

Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The old Cafe 218 in Vinton opened shortly after the US 218 bypass of Vinton did. For about a decade, it was vacant. As of the week before Labor Day, it’s gone. Stories: Vinton News, Vinton Today. The land is … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on Cafe 218 is gone; Dollar General coming to Dysart?