Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 18

Video drive across I-74 bridge

Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

From WQAD. Strangely, the I-74 Bridge website stopped updating months ago. The webcams are stuck on June 1.

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Nov 16

‘Butter Cow Lady’ statue needs to be restored

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In Toledo, on a hill just north of the US 63/Business 30 intersection, is a non-butter sculpture from Iowa State Fair Butter Cow sculptor “Duffy” Lyon. It is of a cow and her calf. The Aug. 10 derecho ripped the … Continue reading →

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Nov 13

Iowa-bound I-74 bridge opens today

Posted on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s happening! (To steal the first line from KWQC’s story.) (WQAD’s story above.) The Iowa-bound/westbound/northbound I-74 bridge was expected to open early this morning. This replaces the 1935 bridge, the original of the twin bridges. Hopefully next November we can … Continue reading →

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Nov 11

Iowa’s 1920 Highway System: Plymouth County

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 17, 2020: The loneliest intersection of 1920. IA 29 ended here; IA 27 went east and west. Western Iowa had nearly all of the primary numbers, save for 28, in the 26-through-37 span. As far as I know, it … Continue reading →

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Nov 10

Alex Trebek, 1940-2020

Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

Today we honor Alex Trebek. For over three decades he brought integrity, humor and intelligence to his duties as host of Jeopardy! He will be in our hearts forever. Thank you, Alex. Love from us all. ???? pic.twitter.com/w8abYY8SX5 — Jeopardy! … Continue reading →

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Nov 09

License Plate Letters – KAT

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2000: Shadow had the run of the corn crib — run of the farm, really — and we threw her kibble from a big bag bought at the elevator. She purred very loudly and enjoyed climbing onto my shoulder … Continue reading →

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Nov 06

Label-o-matic

Posted on Friday, November 6, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Labels are important when creating maps. This is an obvious truth, but I have a habit of missing the forest for the trees. Thus, when I created highway chronologies, I didn’t really consider the idea that my maps could be … Continue reading →

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Nov 04

The Avenue of the Saints’ only left turn … is staying

Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The DOT has a public meeting video and PDFs for changes at IA 27/58 at Ridgeway Avenue and US 20. The Ridgeway intersection and the diamond interchange are not going away. The biggest change is the addition of a left-turn lane … Continue reading →

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Nov 02

The Hill Valley election cycle

Posted on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 6, 1990. “Doc” Emma Brown finds a strange woman at her door who says she’s a time traveler. “Then tell me, Future Girl, who’s president of the United States in 2020?” Jennifer winces and gives out a Sam Beckett-esque … Continue reading →

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Oct 30

So you want to be scared?

Posted on Friday, October 30, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 18, 2020: On guard in Knoxville. The obvious tactic to strike fear in your heart right now is the easiest: the phrase “269-269”. (I don’t need to do horror movies. I pay attention to current events, I follow Iowa State sports, and … Continue reading →

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