Author Archives: Jeff

May 17

Iowa Valley Scenic Byway episode now online

Posted on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 12:00 PM by Jeff

Iowa PBS’ “Road Trip Iowa” series rolls on with an episode that visits Tama County, the Lincoln Cafe in Belle Plaine, and the Amana Colonies. It’s the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway and more. There’s even a segment in Vining, where … Continue reading →

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May 14

Goodbye to Garfield, Arthur schools in CR

Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I went to open houses for two elementary schools in Cedar Rapids that are closing at the end of the school year. The Gazette ended up interviewing some of the same people, but I ran into someone no one else … Continue reading →

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May 10

Jeopardy Masters? More like Jeopardy minors

Posted on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 10:06 AM by Jeff

James Holzhauer, the worst Jeopardy villain of all time, and Matt Amodio, possibly the third-worst Jeopardy villain of all time, both had no answer for this clue last week: This state is not famous as a source of jazz talent, … Continue reading →

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May 08

Greenhill Road exit plan a roundabout mess

Posted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

There are two intersections left on IA 27/58 between US 20 and US 218. As with Viking Road (a SPUI), the Iowa DOT wants to convert the Greenhill Road intersection into an interchange. Once again (AAAARRRRGGGHHHH), the presentation is a … Continue reading →

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May 06

Closure year for Newburg school found

Posted on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Grinnell-Newburg is the most lopsided school district name in terms of population disparity: one near 10,000, and the other unincorporated. Newburg, just east of the intersection of F17 and T38 in Jasper County, is typically ignored in the sports team … Continue reading →

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May 03

ISU and the Lincoln Highway

Posted on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM by Jeff

Here’s my investigation into the Lincoln Highway’s history as it relates to the Iowa State campus in Ames. (whoops, forgot to set a draft to live)

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Apr 29

US 218 detoured through Garrison for month

Posted on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Part of US 218 in Benton County will be closed for a culvert replacement for the next month, a press release from the Iowa DOT says. The highway through Vinton will be closed to through traffic and detoured on E22 … Continue reading →

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Apr 26

Iowa border history, with a focus on the Iowa Great Lakes

Posted on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Arnold Garson of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative wrote a Substack post last week about how the Iowa Great Lakes almost didn’t figure in to the state of Iowa. His writeup touches on the paired-states issue before the Civil War (slave … Continue reading →

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Apr 24

Ellen Young, 1944-2024

Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Ellen Young, former editor of the Traer Star-Clipper and longtime booster of the town of Traer, died April 11. Her obituary was printed last week in the North Tama Telegraph, which replaced the TSC in 2020. Here is an excerpt: … Continue reading →

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Apr 22

From Vicksburg to Savannah

Posted on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s my recap of a presentation/story earlier this month of Company C, 10th Iowa Infantry, also known as the “Tama County Rifles.” Their battle record and travels were both stellar.

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