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

Hawkeye felon pleads guilty to possession of firearm

Chris Baldus

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office news release A man who possessed a firearm after the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office searched his Hawkeye, Iowa, home on August 10, 2022, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Cedar Rapids.               Rusty Joe Barker, age 38, from Hawkeye, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition after he was convicted of a felony offense.               In an earlier detention hearing, the evidence showed that Fayette County Deputies learned that Barker had access to a firearm and ammunition when they went to the Barker home in response to … Continue reading Hawkeye felon pleads guilty to possession of firearm

Charles City Post, Nashua Post

Big night for Republicans in Iowa

Chris Baldus

The Republicans in Iowa swept the federal races and appear to have taken all but one state office holder post. Democrat Rob Sand was clinging to a narrow lead in the race for State Auditor. The Republicans also punched through a gun rights amendment for the Iowa Constitution. Click here for the statewide results of the general election that wrapped up Tuesday. For Floyd County-only results, click here. For Chickasaw County-only results, click here. GOP ALSO TAKES MOST CHICKASAW COUNTY OFFICES In Chickasaw County, Republican Scott Cerwinske ran unopposed for Board of Supervisors District 2 and got 718 of the … Continue reading Big night for Republicans in Iowa

Oelwein Post1 Comment

Fayette County Election Results

Chris Baldus

FAYETTE COUNTY OFFICES Supervisor (pick 2) County Attorney County Recorder County Treasurer Fayette County vote for federal offices US Senator US Rep. District 2 Fayette County vote totals for state offices Governor and Lt. Governor Secretary of Agriculture Attorney General Secretary of State Auditor of State Treasurer of State State Rep. District 63 State Rep. District 68 Continue reading Fayette County Election Results

Charles City Post1 Comment

Floyd County Election Results

Chris Baldus

FLOYD COUNTY OFFICES Supervisor District 1 Supervisor District 2 Supervisor District 3 County Attorney County Treasurer County Recorder Floyd County vote totals for federal offices US Senator US Rep. District 2 Floyd County vote totals for state offices Governor and Lt. Governor Secretary of Agriculture Attorney General Secretary of State Auditor of State Treasurer of State State Senator District 29 State Senator District 30 State Rep. District 58 State Rep. District 60 Constitutional Amendment 1 Continue reading Floyd County Election Results

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 8): WV swimmer going to State, polls open until 8 p.m. and OHS to host Veterans Day assembly on Friday

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein-area readers. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 — Election Day. Here is some local news to get your day started. • WEATHER — Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight there will be a 20 percent chance of showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. (Extended Forecast) • SPORTS — Wapsie Valley junior Lily Schwickerath qualified for the 2022 Iowa Girls State … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 8): WV swimmer going to State, polls open until 8 p.m. and OHS to host Veterans Day assembly on Friday

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Fayette County polling places

Chris Baldus

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 for the general election. These are your polling places according to the legal publication the county was required to publish in area newspapers: • Auburn-Eden Township — St. Lucas Community Center 101 W. Main St., St. Lucas • Banks-Fremont Township — Westgate Community Bldg. 184 Main St.,Westgate • Bethel-Windsor Township — Hawkeye Public Library 104 S. 2nd Street Hawkeye. • Center-Harlan Township — Maynard Comm. Library 245 Main Street Maynard • Clermont Township — NFV Community Coalition Building, 23689 Canoe RoadElgin • Dover Township — West Union … Continue reading Fayette County polling places

Oelwein Post1 Comment

‘Drug house warrants’ lead to 12 arrests in Oelwein, Maynard and Sumner

Chris Baldus

Nine people from Oelwein and one each from Alpha, Maynard and Sumner were jailed after “drug house warrants” were served Friday night by 15 cooperating law enforcement agencies. According to a news release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement seized drugs, firearms, and about $4,000 in cash. Along with paraphernalia, the drugs seized included 1.25 pounds of marijuana, 70 grams of methamphetamine, and multiple types of prescription pills and packaged pills. Weapons seized included long guns and a a pistol. More than 100 charges have been filed including seven Class B felonies, two Class C felonies, 35 Class … Continue reading ‘Drug house warrants’ lead to 12 arrests in Oelwein, Maynard and Sumner

Nashua Post

Nashua’s Monday update (Nov. 7)

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, Nashua-area readers. Today is Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. 1. WEATHER — Today will be sunny, with a high near 46. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 31. East wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. Secret Elves of Nashua are getting busy — The crew is preparing to spread Christmas cheer. One way they do it is on Dec. 11 they will sing caroles for seniors and people who are shut-in. If you want to surprise … Continue reading Nashua’s Monday update (Nov. 7)

Calendar, Charles City Post

CHARLES CITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Chris Baldus

Monday, Nov. 7 CCMS grades 7-8 band/orchestra grades, 7 p.m., Comet Gym at Charles City Middle School Com Tuesday, Nov. 8 Election Day ECCMS grades 5-6 band/orchestra concert, 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 CCHS vocal music concert, 7:30 p.m., Comet Gym at Charles City Middle School Wednesday, Nov. 16 Charles City Booster Club, 5:30 p.m., Charles City High School library Saturday, Nov. 19 CC girls varsity wrestling, 9 a.m., tournament at Independence High School CC girls varsity basketball, 2:30 p.m. at Waterloo east Tuesday, Nov. 22 CC girls varsity bowling, 4 p.m., vs. Denver at Panther Lakes in Tripoli CC … Continue reading CHARLES CITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nashua Post1 Comment

N-P Winter Sports Calendar

Chris Baldus

Tuesday, Nov. 22 Monday, Nov 28 N-P girls varsity wrestling, 6 p.m. at Central Community Junior-Senior High School Tuesday, Nov. 29 Thursday, Dec 1 Friday, Dec. 2 Saturday, Dec. 3 Monday, Dec. 5 Tuesday, Dec. 6 Thursday, Dec. 8 Friday, Dec 9 Saturday, Dec. 10 Monday, Dec. 12 Tuesday, Dec. 13 Friday, Dec. 16 Saturday, Dec. 17 Monday, Dec 19 Tuesday, Dec. 20 Monday, Jan 2 Tuesday, Jan. 3 Thursday, Jan. 5 Friday, Jan. 6 Saturday, Jan. 7 Tuesday, Jan. 10 Thursday, Jan. 12 Friday, Jan. 13 Saturday, Jan 14 Tuesday, Jan. 17 Friday, Jan 20 Saturday, Jan. 21 Tuesday, … Continue reading N-P Winter Sports Calendar

Oelwein Post

West Central coach nominated for national award

Chris Baldus

West Central head football coach Steve Milder is the Iowa nominee for The National High School Coaches Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year. This award program has been in existence since the early 1980s and is the longest-running of it’s kind in the country, according to an announcement from the school. Eight finalists will be invited to the NHSACA National Convention in Nebraska in June 2023. Continue reading West Central coach nominated for national award

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (Nov. 3)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. It’s Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, and here is some local news. 1. WEATHER — Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Tonight there is an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 47. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 16 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. (Extended Forecast) Continue reading Nashua AM Update (Nov. 3)

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 3): More honors for OHS musicians, 1,700 ballots cast so far in Fayette County and other notes

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. Today is Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, and here are some local news updates. 1. WEATHER — Today’s National Weather Service forecast includes increasing clouds, with a high near 70 and south winds of 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Tonight there is an 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Low around 53 with south winds of 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. DUO FROM OHS CHOSEN FOR HONOR BAND Oelwein High School band members Amera Schoultz (alto … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 3): More honors for OHS musicians, 1,700 ballots cast so far in Fayette County and other notes

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM update (Nov. 2)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. Here’s what’s happening in local news 1. WEATHER — Today will be sunny, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. SPORTS — It was a tough day at the State Volleyball Tournament for area teams Wapsie Valley and Sumner-Fredericksburg lost in the Class 2A quarterfinals 3. Catch “Snow White” at West … Continue reading Oelwein AM update (Nov. 2)

Nashua Post

Nashua AM update (Nov. 2):

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. Here’s a look at local news. 1. Warm and breezy today and tonight — Today will be sunny, with a high near 75, with a south wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon, the National Weather Service says. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. 2. CROP UPDATE — Iowa’s corn for grain harvest is 77% … Continue reading Nashua AM update (Nov. 2):

Charles City Post

CC AM Update (Nov. 2): See ‘Charlie Brown’ this week

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Charles City area readers. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, and here are some local news nuggets 1. Warm and breezy today and tonight — Today will be sunny, with a high near 75, with a south wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon, the National Weather Service says. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. 2. CCHS students to present fall musical this week … Continue reading CC AM Update (Nov. 2): See ‘Charlie Brown’ this week

Oelwein Post

EBF upsets Wapsie Valley at State volleyball tournament in four sets

Chris Baldus

No. 6-seed Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont upset No. 3 Wapsie Valley 3-1 (25-22, 11-25, 25-20, 25-21) in the Class 2A quarterfinals of the State volleyball tournament on Tuesday at Xtreme Arena in Cedar Rapids. After the Rockets took the first set, 25-22, Wapsie Valley, appeared to be asserting dominance in the second set. The Warriors put an end to back-and-forth scoring with EBF when the Rockets hit 10 points. The Warriors went on a 15-1 scoring run. The only point scored by the Rockets was off a bad serve by the Warriors. Of Wapsie Valley’s final five points, Hannah Knight scored on two … Continue reading EBF upsets Wapsie Valley at State volleyball tournament in four sets

Nashua Post, Oelwein Post

Western Christian defeats Sumner-Fredericksburg in State volleyball quarterfinals

Chris Baldus

Western Christian defeated Sumner-Fredericksburg 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-24, 25-18) in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Tuesday at Xtreme Arena in Cedar Rapids. According to to the IGHSAU broadcast team, Western Christian has made it to the State semifinals 23 consecutive years. Click here to watch match video from IGHSAU. Continue reading Western Christian defeats Sumner-Fredericksburg in State volleyball quarterfinals

Oelwein Post

Oelwein man charged after September stand-off with police, altercation at hospital

Chris Baldus

An Oelwein man is charged with multiple felonies following a stand off on Sept. 24 with police, as well as a scuffle with officers later at the hospital. Jerad Lee Stewart, 22, is charged in Fayette County District Court with two counts of disarming a peace officer and one count of assault on persons in certain occupations while displaying a dangerous weapon, all Class D felonies. He is also charged with the aggravated misdemeanors of first-offense domestic abuse assault while using or displaying a dangerous weapon or with the intent to inflect a serious injury and assault on persons in … Continue reading Oelwein man charged after September stand-off with police, altercation at hospital