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
Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 24)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 24, 2024. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph. CHICKASAW COUNTY DISTRICT COURT NEWS West Union man sent to prison over vehicular homicide A West Union man is going to prison for causing causing the death of a passenger last fall when he crashed a … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 24)

Oelwein Post

Former Elgin city clerk charged with theft

Chris Baldus

A former city clerk is accused of embezzling more than $131,000 from Elgin cumulatively between 2017 to 2021. Rhonda Faye Dales, 62, of Clermont, is charged in Fayette County District Court with first-degree theft (Class C felony). Her initial court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 12, at the county courthouse in West Union. According to a news release, the Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation on March 7. The Fayette County Attorney’s Office turned over the investigation to the sherif after the State Auditor completed a report requested by the city of Elgin after City Clerk Rhonda Faye Dales … Continue reading Former Elgin city clerk charged with theft

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 23): Read the jail study; sun coming back out

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 23, 2023. WEATHER Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 6 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Source: National Weather Service • • • CHICKASAW COUNTY JAIL STUDY You can read the study into Chickasaw County’s jail and sheriff’s office needs through this link: jail study presentation, Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 23): Read the jail study; sun coming back out

Nashua Post, Oelwein Post1 Comment

West Union man sent to prison over vehicular homicide

Chris Baldus

A West Union man is going to prison for causing causing the death of a passenger last fall when he crashed a BMW Mini Cooper while fleeing law enforcement. Curtis Allen Williams, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Chickasaw County District Court to vehicular homicide (Class B felony), attempting to elude while operating while intoxicated (Class D felony), and first-offense OWI (serious misdemeanor). He was given maximum sentences of, respectively, 25 years, 5 years and 1 year. He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,025 plus a surcharge of $187.50. The three sentences will be served concurrently and will … Continue reading West Union man sent to prison over vehicular homicide

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 22): N-P track takes on bigger schools; football districts change; snow possible

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, March 22, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy in the Nashua area, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight: A 60% chance of snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Thursday: A 30% chance of snow, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 41. … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 22): N-P track takes on bigger schools; football districts change; snow possible

Nashua Post1 Comment

Huck places 1st twice as 5 Huskies notch top 10 finishes at Wartburg invite

Chris Baldus

Nashua-Plainfield’s boys and girls varsity track and field teams competed in the Wartburg High School Invitational on Tuesday in Waverly. The 30-school field ranged from Class 1A to Class 4A. The top finisher for the Huskies was Kadence Huck, who placed first in the girls 400 with a time of 58.56 and the 800 at 2:23.04. In addition, four Huskies finished in the top 10 of individual events: Relay team results: These Huskies also set personal bests: TEAMS COMPETING AT INVITE Continue reading Huck places 1st twice as 5 Huskies notch top 10 finishes at Wartburg invite

Charles City Post

CC one of many school districts swatted with fake threats

Chris Baldus

Charles City appears to have been one of many schools across the state today receiving a false threat call. According to a news release from the Charles City Police Department, it and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office responded to the high school and middle school for a threat call. “It was discovered to be a false call which is being made around the entire state to other school districts,” the release posted on social media says. ” There was no danger to staff or children. Thank you to the incredible staff at both schools for their assistance. “Officers decided to … Continue reading CC one of many school districts swatted with fake threats

Nashua Post

Nashua Update (March 21): Track back in action today; warm spell continues

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, it’s Tuesday, March 21, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 18 mph. Tonight: A 50% chance of rain, mainly before 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Wednesday: A 30% chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. • • • COMMUNITY CALENDAR Today — … Continue reading Nashua Update (March 21): Track back in action today; warm spell continues

Oelwein Post

Football district assignments announced

Chris Baldus

The IAHSAA has released its district assignments for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. OELWEIN The Huskies are in Class 2A District 3 with: WHAT CHANGED: Clear Lake, Forest City and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura out. Oelwein, NFV and Waukon in. STARMONT The Stars are in Class A District 4 with: WHAT CHANGED: South Winneshiek out. North Cedar and Postville in. SUMNER-FREDERICKSBURG The Cougars are in Class 1A District 3 with: WHAT CHANGED: East Marshall and South Hardin out. S-F and MFL MarMac in. WAPSIE VALLEY The Warriors are in Class A District 3 with: WHAT CHANGED: Grundy Center and Hudson out. North Butler … Continue reading Football district assignments announced

Oelwein Post

Fayette County Sheriff’s Report

Chris Baldus

3 Arlington residents arrested on drug charges On Thursday, March 16, about 5:30 a.m., a Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of 90th Street and Highway 187, Arlington, and arrested James Alfred Cornwell, 40, of Arlington, on charges of driving while license suspended and no proof of financial liability, both simple misdemeanors. The West Union Police Department/Drug Canine Unit assisted and canine indicated on suspect vehicle. During the execution of a subsequent search warrant authorities seized crystalized substances, marijuana, paraphernalia, and US currency. Then on March 19, the Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol executed … Continue reading Fayette County Sheriff’s Report

Oelwein Post

Oelwein Update (March 20):

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, it’s Monday, March 20. 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 17 mph. Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the evening. Tuesday: A 20% chance of rain after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday night: A 50% chance of rain before 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 16 … Continue reading Oelwein Update (March 20):

Nashua Post

Agenda for the Nashua City Council’s Monday meeting at 7 p.m.

Chris Baldus

The Nashua City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, at City Hall. Here is the agenda: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 1) Meeting date and time – March 20, 2023, 7:00 PM Council Chamber City Hall 2) Call to Order 3) Consider Approval of the Regular Agenda  a. Discussion/Motion 4) Consider Approval of the Consent Agenda  The consent agenda are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion. If a Council Member wants to comment about or discuss any item, it will be removed and placed on the regular agenda.   a. Minutes from Special Meeting March 15, 2023 b. Consent Calendar (March 2-16, 2023), Payment of Claims … Continue reading Agenda for the Nashua City Council’s Monday meeting at 7 p.m.

Nashua Post

Nashua Clinic adds an OB-GYN

Chris Baldus

The Big 4 Chamber on Friday welcomed Dr. Emily Boevers, OB-GYN, to the Nashua Clinic with a ribbon cutting. Boevers began seeing patients there this month. Her services include well-woman care, pregnancy services and testing, infertility treatment and birth control options. To schedule an appointment with her at the Nashua Clinic or the Waverly Health Center Women’s Clinic, call (319) 483-4074. Continue reading Nashua Clinic adds an OB-GYN

Oelwein Post

Judge rules against do-over of stray voltage trial

Chris Baldus

A Fayette County judge has denied a do-over for a pipeline company that lost a unique stray voltage lawsuit, but he agreed with trimming the $475 million damage award. District 5 Judge David Nelmark issued his written ruling on Wednesday, March 8, turning down all post-trial motions by Northern Natural Gas requesting a new trial over the action brought by the Vagts family an Vagts Dairy Farm. Nelmark did back a motion by Northern to trim the $500,000 from the award based on a settlement reached with a former co-defendant in the search. The Vagts supported the motion. A Fayette … Continue reading Judge rules against do-over of stray voltage trial

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 16): Big chill coming Friday; jail issues meeting on Monday

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 16, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Showers. Temperature falling to around 37 by 5 p.m. South wind 8 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Tonight: Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow showers before 7 p.m., then a chance of snow between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -2. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 16): Big chill coming Friday; jail issues meeting on Monday

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (March 15): Warm today, wet tomorrow; WC play in April

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, March 15, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 40. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Thursday: Rain, mainly after 10 a.m. Temperature rising to near 43 by noon, then falling to around 38 during the remainder of the day. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (March 15): Warm today, wet tomorrow; WC play in April

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 15): Lenten Luncheon serving tater tot casserole today; Chamber announces awards night

Chris Baldus

Good morning, its Wednesday, March 15, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Thursday: Rain before 4 p.m., then rain and snow. Temperature rising to near 42 by 10 a.m, then falling to around 35 during the remainder of the day. South wind 9 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 15): Lenten Luncheon serving tater tot casserole today; Chamber announces awards night

Nashua Post

Nashua Daily Update (March 13)

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, it’s Monday, March 13, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. North wind 10 to 14 mph. Tonight: A chance of flurries before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 32. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. TODAY’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR 7th grade History Day Showcase, 6-7 p.m., N-P High School commons N-P School Board meeting, 7 p.m., NPHS commons (Agenda) Continue reading Nashua Daily Update (March 13)