Author: Chris Baldus
Newspaperman, professionally, since 1991
Husband since 1992
Father since 2001, triplets plus two
States I've lived in: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho and Iowa
Graduate of Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minn.
An offensive lineman who dreamed big
Charles City National Honor Society inducts new members
Reports from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office: Dec. 30, 2024
On December 30, 2024, at 7:18AM the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a car vs. deer accident on Harding Road, near Beachnut Road. When a deputy arrived, it was learned that 42-year-old Jacob Milder of Williamsburg struck a white tail deer that ran into the roadway with his 2007 Chevy Suburban. No injuries were reported and Milder’s vehicle sustained around $1500 damage. On December 28, 2024, at 12:23 PM the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a camper that had property stolen out of one of the outside compartments at Skip-A-Way Campground in … Continue reading Reports from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office: Dec. 30, 2024
CCHS student dies
The Charles City schools superintendent released the following statement Thursday morning about the death of high school student Ayden Stafford: Dear Families and Staff, It is with a great deal of sadness that I provide you with this update. We have been informed that a Charles City High School student, Ayden Stafford, passed away yesterday. We understand that this news may be difficult to process, and we want to assure you that our thoughts are with you during this challenging time. We are committed to supporting our students and staff in coping with this loss. Counselors will be available at … Continue reading CCHS student dies
Football Scoreboard: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Charles City 32, Waterloo East 8 The Comets (3-0) won their Homecoming game for the second year in a row, this time downing the Trojans (1-2), who had won their last three meetings with CC. The Comets’ last win over Waterloo East was 61-34 in 2018. CC beat Mason City, 19-14, in last year’s Homecoming tilt. The Comets matched their win total from last year, when they finished 3-6 after starting 2-0. NEXT: CC travels to Mason City (1-2) as the Riverhawks’ Homecoming opponent. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. – – – Janesville 64, Clarksville 12 The Wildcats (3-0) snapped … Continue reading Football Scoreboard: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Dangerous cold settles in
Bitter cold air from Canada is resulting in the coldest air the winter season to the region, according to the National Weather Service. Highs aren’t expected to warm above the single digits into midweek, while lows fall well below zero. Wind chills will hold from the teens to 30s below zero. The coldest wind chills are across portions of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. Frost bite can occur in 30 minutes or less. Cover exposed skin. Wear several layers of clothing, hat and gloves. Protect pets from the cold, make sure they have fresh water. Limit outdoor exposure if possible. Continue reading Dangerous cold settles in
CC school bond referendum fails
Charles City High School choirs performed Tuesday night on risers set up in the middle school’s competition gymnasium as the final ballots were cast in a bond referendum that would among other things fund construction of an auditorium. It looks as if the Comet choirs, bands and orchestras will continue performing along the basketball court’s sideline. Voters rejected the bond by a 1,390 to 1,038 Many of the singers performed over the weekend in the fall musical, “Godspell,” at the Charles Theatre downtown, a venue that limits the size of any production. Continue reading CC school bond referendum fails
Obituary: Kaden Ray Wilken
Kaden Ray Wilken, age 18, of Nashua, Iowa died Saturday, September 30, 2023. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 13, 2023 at Nashua-Plainfield High School Gymnasium with Rev. Darin Cerwinske presiding. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua with Drew Wilken, Titus Evans, Trae Geise, Tucker Franzen, Tate White, Carson Chyma, Aiden Hector, and Trey Nelson serving as pallbearers. Jake Sievers is an honorary pallbearer. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Nashua-Plainfield High School Gymnasium. Kaden was born January 21, 2005, the son of Andy … Continue reading Obituary: Kaden Ray Wilken
N-P football beats Bearcats on the road, 26-12
• • • GREENE — Four Huskies each scored a touchdown as Nashua-Plainfield pulled even with North Butler in the football district standings at 5-2. N-P traveled to Greene Friday night to collect a 26-12 over the Bearcats. Aiden Gelner and Jackson Carey each scored a rushing touchdown. Gelner led N-P with 124 yards on 23 carries. Carey had 88 yards on 20 carries. Quarterback Tucker Franzen threw for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Trae Geise pulled one in from 5 yards out. Devon Blanchard scored from 46 yards. Geise also had an interception. See more photos by clicking here. Continue reading N-P football beats Bearcats on the road, 26-12
Gridiron Update Week 4: CC, N-P and Clarksville win (Plus Comet Marching Band pics
Comets win Homecoming, 19-14
Mason City scored the first 14 points at Charles City’s Homecoming football game. The Comets scored the rest. Charles City (3-1) beat the RiverHawks 19-14. All three of the Comet touchdowns came on big plays, starting with a senior receiver Keenan Wiley weaving through defenders for a 59-yard score. Senior kicker Jack Hanson nailed the extra point. Wiley then scored an 87-yard touchdown off quarterback senior Jordan Foster’s sideline pass. The extra point attempt failed and Mason City went into the half leading 14-13. Senior receiver Josiah Cunnings and the kick return team took care of that on the opening … Continue reading Comets win Homecoming, 19-14
UPDATE: Nashua boil order ends
UPDATE: UPDATE: The boil order is no longer in effect as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 ••• Don’t drink the water. The city of Nashua issued a boil order today. Residents are advised to boil any water for drinking or food preparation until further notice. A leak in a water Main caused a pressure drop in the system, according to City Hall. A boil order is required in that situation. The order has led Dairy Treat to close for the day. Casey’s and Kwik Star have ceased their food operations. Further advice issued by the city include: Continue reading UPDATE: Nashua boil order ends
Nashua AM Update (Sept. 11): School Board meets tonight, CC and volleyball back in action tomorrow
Good morning, it’s Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST Today — Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Tonight — Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind 3 to 8 mph. Tuesday — A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT The Nashua-Plainfield Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the junior/senior … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Sept. 11): School Board meets tonight, CC and volleyball back in action tomorrow
GRIDIRON UPDATE WEEK 3: N-P, Clarksville and North Butler remain undefeated
Huck takes 1st, Huskies 5th at Union cross country meet
Kadence Huck picked up where she left off last season as she took first individually in the girls 5K at the Union Invitational on Thursday in La Porte City. As a team, the Huskies finished fifth out of seven teams. Huck had a time of 19:20.9. Amilia Condon of Union was second at 19:33.4. In the Class 1A championship race last year, Huck finished 10th with a time of 19:27.07. Her season best was 19:16.7. Huck, a junior, is No. 7 in the latest rankings by Iowa High School Track and Field + Cross Country. Ellie Eick was the next … Continue reading Huck takes 1st, Huskies 5th at Union cross country meet
Gridiron Update Week 2: N-P and CC outlast Tama teams
CC AM Update (Aug. 31) —City to Comet Cross Country: Keep of the grass
Good morning, it’s Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST TODAY — Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 7 to 14 mph. TONIGHT — Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. FRIDAY — Sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 18 mph. ••• CITY CAUSES 14-TEAM MEMORIAL CROSS COUNTRY MEET CANCELLATION The plans of 14 schools to send boys and girls cross country teams to run today in Charles City’s Wildwood Park have been scuttled. It was not dangerous heat … Continue reading CC AM Update (Aug. 31) —City to Comet Cross Country: Keep of the grass
N-P Update (Aug. 30): Volleyball wins, Huskies lead in some football stats, and more
N-P Post AM Update (Aug. 28): Pleasant weather returns, local photo galleries updated
Good morning, it’s Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST Tonight — Sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight — Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Tuesday — Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. ••• COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesday, Aug. 29 Wednesday, Aug. 30 ••• Check out these new and updated photo galleries Continue reading N-P Post AM Update (Aug. 28): Pleasant weather returns, local photo galleries updated
NORTH CEDAR REPORTS 