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

Freezing rain expected Monday night

Chris Baldus

Temperatures tonight will dip to the low 20s under mostly cloudy skies. Monday’s forecast includes rain and snow with a high of 35. There’s a chance of flurries before 2 p.m. changing over to rain around 4 p.m. with a northeast wind 6 to 13 mph. Monday night will see more rain, possibly freezing rain, with the low temperature around 33 and an east wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible. Continue reading Freezing rain expected Monday night

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Dec. 30): Bank open house today; Wellness Center adding yoga, tumbling

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 WEATHER Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 23. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. BUSINESS First State Bank in downtown Nashua will host its holiday open house today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Register for door prizes. Dairy Treat Pop Open, 4-8 p.m. today, 510 Sample St., Nashua HEALTH & FITNESS The Husky Wellness Center is adding two programs next week … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Dec. 30): Bank open house today; Wellness Center adding yoga, tumbling

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Dec. 29): Warmer today, freezing tonight; city doing water main dig

Chris Baldus

Good morning Nashua, it’s Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. WEATHER After a foggy morning, today will be cloudy with a high of 38 and a slight chance of drizzle after 3 p.m. The night low is expected to be around 22. Patchy fog is again likely before 10 p.m. with a 20% chance of freezing drizzle before 11 p.m. and snow before midnight. Friday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 31. SPORTS N-P high school sports will resume Monday, Jan. 2, with the varsity girls wrestling team traveling to Osage. Competition begins at 5 p.m. NEWS Water main dig … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Dec. 29): Warmer today, freezing tonight; city doing water main dig

Oelwein Post

2 injured in crash near Oelwein

Chris Baldus

Two people were injured in a crash this morning near Oelwein when a minivan crossed lanes and hit an SUV. On Dec. 28, at 6:35 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident on Hwy. 3, east of Oelwein near N Avenue. According to a deputy, a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Allen Krum, 41, of Stanley, was driving eastbound on Hwy. 3 when he crossed the center line and collided with a 2012 Dodge Journey operated by Lillian Smith, 52, of Strawberry Point. Both drivers were treated for possible injuries, and both … Continue reading 2 injured in crash near Oelwein

Oelwein Post

Crash on Christmas Eve near Fayette

Chris Baldus

No injuries were reported when a pickup fell into a road ditch near Fayette on Christmas Eve. At 11:44 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a single vehicle accident on 150th St. just west of Fayette. According to deputies, a 2001 Ford Ranger driven by Zachary Bruns, 26, of Fayette was traveling west bound when he lost control due to the road conditions. The vehicle went into the north ditch landing on its side. No injuries were reported and the vehicle was towed from the scene. This accident remains under investigation. Continue reading Crash on Christmas Eve near Fayette

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors

Winter community trout stockings start Jan. 14

Chris Baldus

IOWA DNR The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release trout in five locations across Iowa this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months. Winter trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small split shot and a hook with almost any kind of bait will catch trout.   The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a … Continue reading Winter community trout stockings start Jan. 14

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors

It’s almost New Years! Join the First Day Hike Challenge at Iowa state parks

Chris Baldus

DES MOINES – It’s almost time to start 2023 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. You can also join one of several guided hikes with park or forest staff across the state. With the First Day Hike Challenge, park visitors can check into any of more than 50 participating state parks on the passport from Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 through the end of Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Every check-in will qualify for a prize drawing of a 2-night stay at a cabin at Pine Lake State Park. Restrictions will apply … Continue reading It’s almost New Years! Join the First Day Hike Challenge at Iowa state parks

Nashua Post

Nashua Update (Dec. 25): More snow; library hosting movie day on Wednesday

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, it’s Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. WEATHER: More snow Today snow is likely, possibly heavy, mainly after 5 p.m., says the National Weather Service. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 11. Wind chill values as low as -2. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Tonight, 1 to 3 inches of snow with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -5. South wind 6 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Monday, will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a temperature falling to around 4 by 5 p.m. Wind chill values as low as -9. … Continue reading Nashua Update (Dec. 25): More snow; library hosting movie day on Wednesday

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post

Dangerously cold weather settles in

Chris Baldus

The blizzard is over, but the dangerous cold remains in north central and northeast Iowa as crews clean up roadways. “Gusty northwest winds will continue across the area into Christmas morning, but will be gradually diminishing,” the National Weather Service’s La Crosse, Wis., office says. “The combination of these winds and cold air temperatures will produce bitterly cold wind chills of 20 to 35 below into Christmas morning. In these conditions, frostbite can occur to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.” Continue reading Dangerously cold weather settles in

Oelwein Post

BLIZZARD NEWS: Road condition, business and more updates

Chris Baldus

Fareway closing at 6 p.m. The Oelwein Fareway Store announced that it is closing at 6 p.m. because of the extreme weather. The store is scheduled to be open until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Christmas Eve. Travel not recommended, no towing The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office issued this statement at about 2 p.m.: “Travel is Not Recommended, due to limited visibility and road conditions. No Towing in Fayette County for safety reasons. Leo’s closed tonight Leo’s Italian Restaurant and Generations lounge announced this morning: “Due to the weather Leo’s will be closed this evening. Sorry for the inconvenience. Pick up … Continue reading BLIZZARD NEWS: Road condition, business and more updates

Nashua Post

BLIZZARD NEWS: Road conditions, business updates and more

Chris Baldus

Storm forces I-35 closure I-35 closed from Ames to Clear Lake — “Road conditions have become extremely hazardous in northern portions of the state making travel in some areas impossible. The Iowa DOT has closed both directions of travel on I-35 at Exit 111 (US 30) in Ames to Exit 194 (US 18) at Clear Lake. It is anticipated I-35 will be closed until sometime Saturday morning,” says the 511ia.org website. No movies in CC tonight Due to the weather, The Charles Theatre will remain closed tonight. It will reopen Christmas night with a 7 p.m. show, “I Wanna Dance … Continue reading BLIZZARD NEWS: Road conditions, business updates and more

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Dec. 23)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 IT’S A BLIZZARD The National Weather Service’s blizzard warning will last until at least 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Today’s forecast says widespread blowing snow will last into the evening, as will a northwest wind of 25-30 mph with gusts up to near 50 mph. Wind chill values will be as low as -35 all day and night. Otherwise, the day’s high temp will be around -2 under partly sunny skies. The night’s low will be around -7 as it becomes cloudy. Wondering about travel conditions, check the 511 website. Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Dec. 23)

Oelwein Post

Fayette County Court Report: Oelwein man sent to prison after probation revocation

Chris Baldus

Darrick Shawn Eubanks, II, 28, of Oelwein, was ordered to prison for up to five years after his probation was revoked Dec. 13. He was on probation after pleading guilty in in May to felony counts of willful injury and domestic abuse as well as serious misdemeanor domestic abuse. He was later convicted of escape from a residential facility. In September, he was arrested in Buchanan County on charges of domestic abuse, child endangerment an false imprisonment, leading to Correctional Services to recommend probation revocation. Continue reading Fayette County Court Report: Oelwein man sent to prison after probation revocation

Nashua Post1 Comment

N-P girls wrestling wins 1 team dual, collects 4 pins

Chris Baldus

The Nashua-Plainfield girls wrestling team won one team dual — against MFL MarMac — at the Saint Ansgar quad on Tuesday. Most of the matches in each dual were forfeited for lack of opponent. N-P’s Elexa O’Neill had the most productive night by notching two pins. One was over North Central’s Lillian Holtan in 59 seconds in the 120 weight class and the other over MFL MarMac’s Melody Grimm at 3:01 in the 125 class. At 115, N-P’s Lillie Caster pinned North Central’s Madison Edwards at 4:22. At 125, N-P’s Makinzey Brannon pinned North Central’s Autumn Sunkle in 32 seconds. … Continue reading N-P girls wrestling wins 1 team dual, collects 4 pins

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Dec. 21): Expect up to 6 inches of snow tonight; catch up on scores, school closures

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, the shortest day of the year. DANGEROUS WINTER STORM COMING The National Weather Service forecast says today there is a 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 4 p.m., but accumulation will be light. The high temperature today will be around 18, but the wind chill will be as low as -7. The heavy snow is expected overnight, with up to 6 inches possible. The low temperature will be around -6 with a wind chill around -13. A southeast wind of 8-18 mph could gust as up to 26 mph. After 5 a.m., … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Dec. 21): Expect up to 6 inches of snow tonight; catch up on scores, school closures

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Dec. 21): Storm cancels school tomorrow; Frost wins 500th dual last night

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, the shortest day of the year. WINTER STORM ON ITS WAY Nashua-Plainfield Community Schools has already cancelled classes for Thursday because of the oncoming winter storm. The National Weather Service says snow is likely this afternoon, mainly after 4 p.m. The high temperature will be near 16, but wind chill values will be as low as -12 with a southeast wind of 8-10 mph. Tonight, 3 to 5 inches of snow will fall overnight. The low temp will be around -8 with wind chills as low as -20 from a bluster southeast wind … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Dec. 21): Storm cancels school tomorrow; Frost wins 500th dual last night

Bearcats, Nashua Post1 Comment

Coach Frost wins 500th dual as N-P sweeps home quad

Chris Baldus

Coach Al Frost sped past a milestone Tuesday night as his Nashua-Plainfield boys wrestling team swept its home quad. Frost collected his 500th wrestling dual victory and was congratulated by many former wrestlers, managers, cheerleaders and coaches. No. 500 came against Forest City, N-P’s final dual of the night. The Huskies won 66-8 Nashua-Plainfield also won duals against North Union 55-21 and Rockford 81-0. The night was made possible by N-P winning four team duals over the weekend at The Battle of Waterloo tournament. N-P in action against North Union BOX SCORES Nashua-Plainfield 66, Forest City 8 Forest City forfeited … Continue reading Coach Frost wins 500th dual as N-P sweeps home quad

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Dec. 20): Freeze arrives; wrestling and hoops tonight

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. ARCTIC DROP The National Weather Service’s forecast says today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 11. Wind chill values as low as -9 off a northwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Then, tonight, clouds will increase and the low will be around-1. Wind chill will be as low as -12 off a northwest wind 6 to 10 mph which will become east after midnight. (Extended Forecast) HUSKY MUSICIANS IN ACTION TODAY A small volunteer group of Oelwein 8-12th grade band members will be performing holiday carols today at Dollar Fresh starting … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Dec. 20): Freeze arrives; wrestling and hoops tonight