Author Archives: Jeff

Feb 19

The optimism that was

Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 16, 2009: Belle Plaine High School (1911), last used as Central Elementary during the school year this photo was taken, was torn down in 2016-17. I was going to use this as an intro to a post, but its … Continue reading →

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Feb 18

Wapello bypass issue escalates to Legislature

Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Remember the prolonged struggle between Wapello and the Iowa DOT, and Mediapolis and the Iowa DOT, where the communities are fighting tooth and nail to get multiple exits on a four-lane US 61 and the DOT is having none of … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Wapello bypass issue escalates to Legislature
Feb 14

Iowa’s last Kmarts close Sunday

Posted on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 19, 2019: This is not a Kmart in Iowa; this is the one in International Falls, Minnesota, that was in the nationwide round of Kmart closures announced in September and closed Dec. 16. It will be the last Kmart … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa’s last Kmarts close Sunday
Feb 13

Fort Dodge bridge meeting next week

Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Remember how the news about the transfer of Business US 169/IA 926 to the city of Fort Dodge had a curious caveat? That caveat has become meaningful. In 2014, the transfer of jurisdiction said “excluding bridges,” the bridges in question … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Fort Dodge bridge meeting next week
Feb 11

Waukon’s downtown intersection gets stoplight overhaul

Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 7, 2006: This photo looking south clearly shows the offset intersection of IA 9 and IA 76 in Waukon. Until 1968, IA 9 turned right (west). The intersection at the core of Waukon has always been a bit off. … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Waukon’s downtown intersection gets stoplight overhaul
Feb 07

My books of 2019

Posted on Friday, February 7, 2020, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

I read as much as I ever have, but most of it is article after article viewed online. Much of my reading is for information, for truth, and for insight based on information leading to truth. (LOL nothing matters.) My … Continue reading →

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Feb 05

Farnhamville’s role in Iowa highway history

Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 24, 2017: Is this an excuse to post one of the best “welcome to” sign pairs in Iowa? Possibly. At the end of 1939, the expansion of Iowa’s highway system abruptly slowed down at number 372, a spur to … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Farnhamville’s role in Iowa highway history
Feb 03

Caucus Day 2020

Posted on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As seen in an actual commercial! (For Carmax, but still.) Welcome to the winter premiere in the fifth season of America’s inescapable reality show, “The 2016 Election.”  The 2020 election cycle is the first in five that I did not … Continue reading →

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Jan 31

Two coaches, two coaching philosophies

Posted on Friday, January 31, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly, less than a month ago: “The stuff that isn’t going well, I have to fix,” Fennelly said. “There will be changes made.” Fennelly often shoulders the blame for his team’s performance, such as … Continue reading →

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Jan 30

Waukee bans Valentine’s Day

Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Waukee learned their staff was putting way too many resources into helping students decorate their Valentine’s Day trinkets. The school district also realized there was a growing number of families in their community that didn’t celebrate the holiday. I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Waukee bans Valentine’s Day