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
Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (March 10)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 10, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today; Cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind 7 to 11 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind 5 to 11 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Saturday: Snow, mainly after 3 p.m. High near 34. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Saturday Night: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 26. Southeast wind 7 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (March 10)

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 10): More snow on Saturday; voters OK ballfield referendum

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 10, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Tonight: Cloudy, with a low around 26. Northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Saturday: A chance of snow between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with rain. High near 35. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. N-P … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 10): More snow on Saturday; voters OK ballfield referendum

Oelwein Post

Former Oelwein man found guilty on one count of sexual abuse

Chris Baldus

A Fayette County jury has found a former Oelwein man guilty of one of two counts of third-degree sexual assault. Isaiah Cecil Hakeem Duffield, 20, formerly of Oelwein, is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. April 24 at the courthouse in West Union. The jury began deliberations and reached its verdicts on Tuesday, finding him guilty of abusing a teenage girl on Jan. 1, 2022. The jury ruled he was not guilty of abusing another teenage girl on April 9, 2022. The jury had the option to rule Duffield guilty of the lesser charges of assault with intent to … Continue reading Former Oelwein man found guilty on one count of sexual abuse

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 9)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 9, 2023. SCHOOLS GETTING OUT EARLY Because of pending bad weather, Nashua-Plainfield schools are getting out early today at at 1 p.m. No after school activities. No junior high shuttle. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 2 p.m. High near 35. East wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Tonight: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 25. East wind 7 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 9)

Oelwein Post

Oelwein Police Reports

Chris Baldus

Two arrested on drug charges On March 2, the Oelwein Police Department served a search warrant at 220 ½ 1st Ave. NW in Oelwein.  During the search, two individuals were arrested and charged with the following crimes: Joshua James Levendusky (40) of Oelwein was arrested and charged with; Brandy Lynn Schoultz (37) of Oelwein was arrested and charged with; Two outstanding Fayette County arrest warrants were also served on Schoultz. Both were transported to the Fayette County Jail after their arrest.  The Oelwein Police Department was assisted by the Independence Police Department and the Independence Police Department Canine Unit. March 6 At 1:17 p.m. Oelwein … Continue reading Oelwein Police Reports

Oelwein Post

Fayette County Sheriff’s Log (Feb. 21-March 3)

Chris Baldus

On March 2 at about 9:55 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a domestic assault at a residence in Hawkeye.  Deputies responded to the scene and conducted an investigation.  After multiple interviews, Tyler Norman Mittelsted, 30 of Hawkeye, was arrested and charged with domestic assault, a simple misdemeanor.  Mittelsted was taken into custody and transported to Fayette County Jail.  On March 3 at 10 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kevin Duane Hoehne, 59, of Sumner, for a warrant out of Fayette County for failure to appear in court, original charge was third-offense operating while … Continue reading Fayette County Sheriff’s Log (Feb. 21-March 3)

Nashua Post

Nashua woman pleads guilty to pantry burglary

Chris Baldus

A Nashua woman arrested last fall for burglarizing the Nashua Area Food Pantry has pleaded guilty in Chickasaw Count District Court and was sentenced to probation. Desteney Dawn Olson, 42, reached an agreement with prosecution to plead guilty to third-degree burglary (Class D felony). A misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief was dismissed. She was placed on two years of probation on a suspended prison sentence of up to 5 years and a suspended $1,025 fine plus $153.73 surcharge. Olson was arrested Friday, Oct. 7, by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office after investigating burglary reports at the pantry. According to … Continue reading Nashua woman pleads guilty to pantry burglary

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 7): 42 today, snow later this week; N-P track takes first in 3 events at Wartburg

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, March 7, 2023. NASHUA FORECAST FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. East wind 7 to 14 mph. Tonight: Cloudy, with a low around 31. East wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Southeast wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED LATER THIS WEEK “Confidence has been increasing for an impactful winter storm to target the Upper Midwest later this work week,” … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 7): 42 today, snow later this week; N-P track takes first in 3 events at Wartburg

Oelwein Post

Former Oelwein man on trial for additional sex abuse charges

Chris Baldus

The trial has begun of a convicted sex offender accused of two assaults on teenage girls at their home last year. Isaiah Cecil-Hakeem Duffield, 20, formerly of Oelwein, is charged with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse (Class C felonies) related to alleged incidents involving a 16-year-old on Jan. 1, 2022 and and a 17-year-old on April 10, 2022. The Fayette County District Court trial before Judge Richard Stochl, began Wednesday, March 1. Twelve jurors and one alternate were seated on Thursday. The jury is composed of seven women and six men. Continue reading Former Oelwein man on trial for additional sex abuse charges

Oelwein Post

Comings and goings: School district edition

Chris Baldus

This is a roundup of personnel movements approved by area school boards in February. Oelwein Community Schools Julie Leisinger resigned from two advisor positions at the high school — Business Professionals of America and the Annual. “I appreciated the opportunity to expand our students’ knowledge base in the digital and technical aspects in both of these clubs as they pursue their career goals after they graduate high school,” she wrote in her letter of resignation. Ziana Glew resigned as the Wings Park Elementary custodian after accepting a job offer at East Penn. He last day with the school district will … Continue reading Comings and goings: School district edition

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (March 3)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 3, 2023. FORECAST FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Tonight; Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Saturday: A chance of flurries before 11 a.m., then a chance of sprinkles between 11 a.m. and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. AG NEWS: Pipeline company seeks do-over in stray voltage lawsuit A Fayette County jury ruled in January … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (March 3)

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 3): N-P band, stray voltage trial and weekend events

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 3, 2023. FORECAST FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Saturday: A chance of flurries before 11 a.m., then a chance of sprinkles between 11 a.m. and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. COMING UP THIS WEEKEND Saturday, March 4 Sunday, March 5 N-P BANDS … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 3): N-P band, stray voltage trial and weekend events

Nashua Post, Oelwein Post2 Comments

Pipeline company seeks new trial in dairy farm stray voltage lawsuit

Chris Baldus

Northern Natural Gas claims there are multiple reasons it should get a new trial over the stray voltage lawsuit brought by a West Union dairy farm, including “unreliable expert testimony and impermissible legal theories.” A Fayette County jury ruled in January that the pipeline company created a nuisance that caused significant harm to Vagts Dairy Farm and awarded the family business $475 million in damages. An online hearing on the post-trial motion by NNG asking for a new trial is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. Monday, March 6, before District 5 Judge David Nelmark. At the heart of the … Continue reading Pipeline company seeks new trial in dairy farm stray voltage lawsuit

Oelwein Post1 Comment

Oelwein archers qualify for State Tournaments

Chris Baldus

Members of three archery teams from Oelwein have qualified for state tournaments this weekend — Wings Park, the high school and the middle school teams. The 3D State Tournament and the Bullseye State Tournament will be will be March 4-5, in the 4-H Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. State qualifiers by team are listed below: Wings Park Elementary Bullseye Tournament — Cassandra Acuff, Colton Arnold, Meah Denny,Jameson Folsom,Maverick Hall, Emmit Ricchio, Kellen Smith, Mia Trumblee and William Weig. 3D Tournament — Cassandra Acuff, Colton Arnold, LeiLyn Bush, Meah Denny, Jameson Folsom, Maverick Hall, Elyjah Pruitt, Nevaeh … Continue reading Oelwein archers qualify for State Tournaments

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (March 2): Oelwein students qualify for state in archery and speech

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 2, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with an east wind 11 to 16 mph becoming north in the afternoon. OELWEIN ARCHERS QUALIFY FOR STATE Members of three archery teams from Oelwein have qualified for state tournaments this weekend — Wings Park, the high school and the middle school teams. The 3D State Tournament and the Bullseye State Tournament … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (March 2): Oelwein students qualify for state in archery and speech

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 2): Temps hang around 40; Rinken gets Gable honor

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 2, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. East wind 9 to 13 mph becoming north in the afternoon. N-P WRESTLER HONORED AMONG STATE’S BEST Three-time state champion Gable Porter of Underwood (132 weight class) was announced as the Class 1A Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year award winner on Wednesday in Boone. Nashua-Plainfield senior Garret Rinken … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 2): Temps hang around 40; Rinken gets Gable honor

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (March 1)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, March 1, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 16 mph becoming west 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Blustery, with a west wind 10 to 18 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Continue reading Nashua AM Update (March 1)

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Feb. 28): Lenten Luncheons begin tomorrow; sign ups start for summer ball leagues

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST Today: Cloudy, with a high near 41. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Tonight: A 30% chance of rain, mainly before 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44. • • • LENTEN LUNCHEONS BEGIN TOMORROW On the next five Wednesdays, Nashua’s annual Lenten Luncheons will be served at 11:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church, 314 Brasher St. A message will be delivered at noon from a rotation … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Feb. 28): Lenten Luncheons begin tomorrow; sign ups start for summer ball leagues