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 Post, Nashua Post

‘Polite’ Charles City man gets probation over gun possession as a felon

Chris Baldus

Michael O’Shea Anderson, Jr., 38, of Charles City, pleaded guilty in Chickasaw County District Court on Oct. 18 to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. On Oct. 19 he received two years of probation on a suspended sentenced of to up to five years in prison. A $1,025 fine plus $153.75 surcharge were also suspended. He had been arrested following a July 24 traffic stop in Ionia. The criminal complaint says that Anderson was the front passenger black 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe stopped by a Chickasaw County sheriff’s deputy at about 8 p.m. because of a report … Continue reading ‘Polite’ Charles City man gets probation over gun possession as a felon

Nashua Post1 Comment

Sumner man sent to prison for sexual abuse in Chickasaw and Bremer Counties

Chris Baldus

After pleading guilty in two sexual abuse cases, Michael Adam Koch, 21, of Sumner, will serve up to 10 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, although he has the possibility of parole. In Chickasaw County District Court, Koch pleaded guilty on Aug. 9 to lascivious acts with a child (a Class C felony) and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. A $1,370 fine and surcharge were suspended, and second sex crime charge was dismissed, in accordance with the plea agreement reached with prosecution. In this … Continue reading Sumner man sent to prison for sexual abuse in Chickasaw and Bremer Counties

Oelwein Post

Oelwein area update (Oct. 22): Area sports teams earn success; Rhythm concert tonight

Chris Baldus

Good morning Oelwein area readers. Today is Saturday, Oct 22 and here’s what’s in the local news. 1. WARM & WINDY WEEKEND— Today is sunny windy, with a high near 82 and gusts as high as 31 mph. Tonight will be Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday will be Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. OELWEIN RUNNERS STATE BOUND — Led by Conall Sauser, Huskies … Continue reading Oelwein area update (Oct. 22): Area sports teams earn success; Rhythm concert tonight

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post1 Comment

Friday Football Scoreboard (Oct. 21)

Chris Baldus

Wapsie Valley and Grundy Center rolled into the second round of the Class A football playoffs, as Nashua-Plainfield and Hudson’s seasons came to a close. Here are the results from the Friday, Oct. 21, Iowa high school football games. CLASS A West Hancock 44, Nashua-Plainfield 16 BRITT — Juniors Kale Zuehl and Jaxen Peterson combined for 206 of West Hancock’s 346 rushing yards Friday night at home to defeat Nashua-Plainfield, 44-16. The 2021 Class A State Champion Eagles (9-0) have won 22 consecutive games since Nov. 6, 2020, when Grundy Center beat them 20-14 the Class A State Tournament quarterfinals. … Continue reading Friday Football Scoreboard (Oct. 21)

Oelwein Post1 Comment

Oelwein boys win State Qualifying meet; Starmont/West Central’s Sieck takes first individually

Chris Baldus

The Oelwein boys cross country team is headed to State after winning the Class 2A State Qualifying Meet on Thursday at Hickory Grove Golf Course in Oelwein. The Huskies place first as a team with 63 points Denver was second with 66. The Huskies also qualified four individuals for the State Meet, which will be next week in Fort Dodge. Starmont/West Central senior Charlie Sieck took first with a time of 16:44.55. Oelwein sophomore Conall Sauser was second at 17:02.27. The other Huskies qualifying for state individually were senior Jacob Sullivan (7th, 17:19.70), junior Benjamin Driscoll (8th, 17:22.77) and senior … Continue reading Oelwein boys win State Qualifying meet; Starmont/West Central’s Sieck takes first individually

Nashua Post

Huck punches her ticket for State Cross Country Meet

Chris Baldus

Nashua-Plainfield’s Kadence Huck just keeps getting faster — 27.3 seconds faster this time around. The sophomore finished second at the Class 1A State Qualifying Meet in Central Springs on Thursday with a Huskies school record of 19:16.7. The previous best, which she set at the Top of Iowa Conference meet a week earlier was 19:44. At the State Qualifying Meet, Huck was 1.4 seconds behind first-place finisher Alyssa Richman, a Manson Northwest Webster sophomore, whose time was 19:15.3. (Click here for full boys and girls results from the meet) Huck was the lone N-P runner to qualify for State. The … Continue reading Huck punches her ticket for State Cross Country Meet

Nashua Post

Nashua update (Oct. 20): N-P runners vying for State today; trap shooting team fundraiser on Saturday

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. It’s Thursday, Oct. 20. Here’s what’s happening locally 1.WEATHER — Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Tonight : Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 8 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. N-P cross country teams trying to get to state today —The Huskies boys and girls will travel to Central Springs … Continue reading Nashua update (Oct. 20): N-P runners vying for State today; trap shooting team fundraiser on Saturday

Charles City Post

Charles City update (Oct. 20): Kmart building sold, 2 Comets qualify for state, burn ban if effect

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Charles City area readers. It’s Thursday, Oct. 20. Here’s what’s news locally. 1.WEATHER — Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind around 7 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. WHO BOUGHT THE CHARLES CITY KMART BUILDING? Carlinda Limited Partnership purchased the roughly 10.5-acre property and nearly 96,000-square-foot building that used to be the home of Kmart in Charles City. It’s been sitting vacant since 2018. Carlinda’s registered agent is Paul A. Rottinghaus of New Hampton, the owner of Zip’s … Continue reading Charles City update (Oct. 20): Kmart building sold, 2 Comets qualify for state, burn ban if effect

Charles City Post1 Comment

Pair of Comets qualify for cross country state meet

Chris Baldus

Two Comets have qualified for the State Cross Country Meet: Sophomores Xander Graeser and Nick Williams. Charles City’s boys and girls teams traveled to Hart Ridge Golf Course in Manchester for a Class 3A State Qualifying Meet Wednesday afternoon. The top three teams and top 15 individual finishers from each race qualifed for the Saturday, Oct. 29, State Meet in Fort Dodge. Graeser finished 9th with a time of 16:52.60. Williams took 10th at 17:01.94. The top three boys teams were Marion (1st), Solon (2nd) and Clear Creek-Amana (3rd), followed by Vinton-Shellsburg (4th), Decorah (5th), Waverly-Shell Rock (6th), Charles City … Continue reading Pair of Comets qualify for cross country state meet

Oelwein Post

West Central volleyball postseason ends 1-1

Chris Baldus

West Central opened the 2022 volleyball postseason with a 3-0 (25-6, 25-12 and 25-21) victory at home over Kee on Monday. That earned the Blue Devils a shot at Don Bosco tonight in Gilbertsville. The Kee Hawks finished the season with a 1-23 record, but the Dons (26-12) had wrapped up their 25-12 regular season ranked 8th in Class 1A. Don Bosco swept West Central 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-16), capping the Blue Devils season record at 8-14. West Central will lose one senior to graduation, Abby Squires, who this season was the last remaining player from the 2019 team that … Continue reading West Central volleyball postseason ends 1-1

Oelwein Post

OELWEIN 7 AT 7 (Oct. 19): Trunk or treat and volleyball playoffs tonight; band members get honors; plus court news

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. It’s Wednesday, Oct. 19, and here are 7 local news reports for you at 7 a.m. 1. WEATHER — Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 29. West wind 6 to 8 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. TRUNK OR TREAT TODAY — Full Circle Services Trunk or Treat will be 5-8 p.m, Oct. 19, at the Knights of Columbus parking lot in Oelwein. Popcorn, hot cocoa and lots of goodies. 3. OHS MUSIC NEWS Huskies selected for Honor … Continue reading OELWEIN 7 AT 7 (Oct. 19): Trunk or treat and volleyball playoffs tonight; band members get honors; plus court news

Oelwein Post1 Comment

Buchanan County prosecutor reaches plea deal to send Fairbank man to prison

Chris Baldus

INDEPENDENCE — The Buchanan County Attorney’s Office has reached a plea agreement with Tyler Alan Welter, 27, of Fairbank, that will mark him as a sexual predator of children and send him to prison. Welter agreed today to plead guilty to two Class C felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two Class C felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and three Class D felony counts of enticing a minor. Six additional counts will be dismissed. According to the criminal complaints, Welter exchanged nude photos and attempted to engage in sexual acts with children under the age … Continue reading Buchanan County prosecutor reaches plea deal to send Fairbank man to prison

Nashua Post

Nashua update (Oct. 17): N-P volleyball’s resurgent season ends; Library holding a pumpkin vote

Chris Baldus

Good morning Nashua area readers. Here’s what’s happening in local news. 1. WEATHER — Well, it will be sunny. The National Weather forecast for today is sunny and breezy, with a high near 43 and a northwest wind 17 to 21 mph. Tonight will be clear, with a low around 20. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Wednesday will be sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. Resurgent N-P volleyball team’s season ends — Nashua-Plainfield had been on a tear since mid-September. The Huskies won … Continue reading Nashua update (Oct. 17): N-P volleyball’s resurgent season ends; Library holding a pumpkin vote

Oelwein Post1 Comment

Oelwein man charged with drug crimes

Chris Baldus

WEST UNION — Estaban Ricardo Carrasco Jr., 21, of Oelwein, is charged with four controlled substance violations. According to court documents, the Oelwein Police Department conducted controlled buys of illegal drugs on Aug. 7 and Aug. 16. Both times, Carrasco arrived in a red in Cadillac registered to his father. On Aug. 7, he allegedly delivered 1.018 grams of marijuana and 2.285 grams of cocaine. On Aug.16, he allegedly delivered 3.319 grams of cocaine and 9.985 grams of methamphetamine. Oelwein Police arrested Carrasco on Oct. 11 on a warrant. He made his initial court appearance on Oct. 12. Bail was … Continue reading Oelwein man charged with drug crimes

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post1 Comment

Playoff volleyball Monday, Oct. 16 — Riceville tops N-P; North Butler and West Central advance

Chris Baldus

Class 1A Region 5 First Round North Butler (6-25) defeated Valley Lutheran (0-15), 3-0 (25-8, 25-9, 25-7). Riceville (25-16) defeated Nashua-Plainfield (9-18), 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-16). West Fork (5-15) defeated Rockford (13-10), 3-2 (19-25, 17-25, 25-21, 31-29, 15-12) Tripoli (17-18) defeated Newman Catholic 8-17), 3-0 (25-9, 25-7, 25-11) Dunkerton (21-14) defeated Clarksville (4-17), 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-13). Class 1A Region 6 First Round West Central (7-13) defeated Kee, Lansing (1-22), 3-0 (25-6, 25-12, 25-21) Central Elkader (11-24) defeated Starmont (6-13) 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 28-26, 25-18) Edgewood-Colesburg (15-19) defeated Turkey Valley (17-16), 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-11, 25-23) Class 3A Region … Continue reading Playoff volleyball Monday, Oct. 16 — Riceville tops N-P; North Butler and West Central advance

Nashua Post

Nashua noon report (Oct. 17) : Band, volleyball and business news

Chris Baldus

Hello Nashua area readers. Here is what’s happening: 1. Windy and cool today, tonight will be below freezing — The National Weather Service forecast mostly sunny skies today with a high near 40 and a north wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Tonight, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 20. North wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Tuesday should be sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. 2. N-P marching … Continue reading Nashua noon report (Oct. 17) : Band, volleyball and business news

Charles City Post

7 at 7 a.m, for Charles City (Oct. 17): Upcoming orchestra concert, Halloween events and more local news

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Charles City area readers. Here’s some local news and notes to get your week started. 1. Windy today — Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a northwest wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 20. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. CCHS orchestra in concert in costume on Tuesday — The Charles City High School orchestra’s Tuesday, Oct. 18, concert featuring Wartburg College’s Kammerstreicher will begin at 7:30 … Continue reading 7 at 7 a.m, for Charles City (Oct. 17): Upcoming orchestra concert, Halloween events and more local news

Nashua Post1 Comment

Nashua businesses to connect with educators this week

Chris Baldus

The Big 4 Chamber of Commerce is resuming its efforts to educate future business owners, leaders and employees. The chamber is putting on a Business Education Event from 2:15-3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Nashua-Plainfield Junior High commons to strengthen the bond between business people and educators. Chamber members in attendance will have a chance to make a quick introduction of themselves. “You know as well as we do the importance a good education has on our future business owners, leaders, and employees, that is why we are excited to announce our Business Education event is back,” said Val … Continue reading Nashua businesses to connect with educators this week