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

Wapsie Valley to host St. Ansgar in playoff opener on Friday

Chris Baldus

Wapsie Valley (6-2) will host Saint Ansgar (5-3) in the first round of the Class A football playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. The teams shared one common opponent this season North Tama. The Warriors won their game 41-0. Saint Ansgar won 42-0. Wapsie Valley’s senior quarterback Casey O’Donnell has thrown for 856 yards so far this season with 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. He’s rushed for 127 yards and one touchdown. The top rusher this season for the Warriors is senior Braden Knight with 831 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also been a top receiver with 293 receiving … Continue reading Wapsie Valley to host St. Ansgar in playoff opener on Friday

Nashua Post

N-P to open football playoffs next week against West Hancock

Chris Baldus

To be the best, you need to beat the best. Nashua-Plainfield will get that chance on Friday, Oct. 21, when the Huskies (5-3) open the playoffs against one of the five undefeated teams in Class A. West Hancock, Britt (8-0) will host N-P in the first round of the 32-team state tournament. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Hudson 4-4, which beat N-P on Friday 20-14 to finish third in Class A District 4, will travel to to Newman Catholic, Mason City (7-1) on Friday. N-P fell to fourth. Grundy Center, 8-0, and Wapsie Valley (6-2) were first and second in … Continue reading N-P to open football playoffs next week against West Hancock

Nashua Post

Nashua morning update (Oct. 15)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area. It’s Saturday, Oct. 25, and here’s what’s happening. 1. WEATHER — Today will be sunny, with a high near 61 and a southwest wind that could gust as high as 28 mph. Tonight, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a northwest wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. 2. SPORTS —Hudson leapfrogged Nashua-Plainfield in football district standings. The Pirates … Continue reading Nashua morning update (Oct. 15)

Oelwein Post

Bridal shop moving into Oelwein

Chris Baldus

Sydney’s Bridal is moving to Oelwein. The shop is not only moving from West Union to Fayette County’s largest city, it’s expanding its offerings. “BIG changes coming in the next few months,” says a post on the business’s Facebook page. “The bridal shop will be waltzing down to the city of Oelwein. Along with this change I am adding prom dresses to the store arriving in December! “I will remain in West Union until renovations are finished in Oelwein. Watch for an upcoming Pronovias trunk show in November and discounts during that showing. Thank you to everyone for your continued … Continue reading Bridal shop moving into Oelwein

Oelwein Post

Sieck wins Tri-Rivers Conference championship

Chris Baldus

Starmont-West Central senior Charlie Sieck captured first place in the boys varsity 5K race on Tuesday at the Tri-Rivers Conference Meet hosted by North Linn. His time of 16:27 was 34 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. The team title went to North Linn with 67 points, followed by Maquoketa Valley (2nd, 96), Calumus Wheatland (3rd, 102), Starmont-West Central (4th, 110), East Buchanan (5th, 112), Springville (6th, 120), Alburnett (7th, 139), Prince of Peace (8th, 166), North Cedar (9th, 189), Marquette Catholic (10th, 253), and Edgewood-Colesburg (11th, 293). The Starmont-West Central varsity girls team placed 4th, with 86 points. Sophomore … Continue reading Sieck wins Tri-Rivers Conference championship

Nashua Post

Huck breaks school record at conference meet

Chris Baldus

MASON CITY — Kadence Huck reset a Nashua-Plainfield High School record with her all-conference performance on a blustery and chilly Thursday at the Top of Iowa Conference cross country meet. Huck took second in the girls varsity 5K on the Northeast Iowa Community College course with a time of 19:44 and earned her spot on the all-conference first team. The boys team’s top finisher was Jase Hansen, who placed 28th with his personal best time of 18:47, earning a spot on the all-conference second team. (Click here for full results) UP NEXT: Nashua-Plainfield’s boys and girls teams will travel to … Continue reading Huck breaks school record at conference meet

Oelwein Post

S-F’s Trainor wins varsity girls 5K at NICL conference meet; Oelwein runners set personal and season records

Chris Baldus

LA PORTE CITY — Hillary Trainor gave Sumner-Fredericksburg another championship title today. The junior won the varsity girls 5K at the North Iowa Cedar League conference meet at the La Porte City Golf Course with a time of 19:19.6. Jesup sophomore MacKenzie Wilson was second with a time of 19:21.4. Denver freshman Avery Trunkhill placed third with a personal best time of 19:31.9, leading the Cyclones to a first-place team finish with 47 points. Hudson was second with 75 points followed by Jesup (3rd, 128), Union La Porte City (4th, 136), S-F (5th, 144), Wapsie Valley (6th, 147), Grundy Center … Continue reading S-F’s Trainor wins varsity girls 5K at NICL conference meet; Oelwein runners set personal and season records

Oelwein Post

Oelwein boys win cross country conference meet

Chris Baldus

LA PORTE CITY — The Oelwein boys cross country team continues is season on fire, despite the chilly fall winds on Thursday. The Huskies captured the team title at the North Iowa Cedar League’s conference meet at the La Porte City Golf Course. Oelwein sophomore Conall Sauser and senior Ray Gearhart finished second and third with times of 16.38.5 and 16:49.12, respectively. For Gearhart, it was his personal best time. The pair were sandwiched between Grundy Center runners. Kaden Lynch took first with a time of 16:27.8 and Emerson Vokes was fourth at 16:58.8. Oelwein, however, took first because it … Continue reading Oelwein boys win cross country conference meet

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors

Northeast Iowa fishing report (Oct. 13)

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa DNR Cedar River (above Nashua) Water levels are very, low limiting some boat accesses.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Dead chubs fished on the river bottom work well for a hungry catfish.  Northern Pike – Fair: Find pike in pools. Use a steel leader with a shiny lure.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallie bite is variable. Try artificial lures or a lure tipped with a minnow around rocky outcroppings or ledges.   Walleye – Good: Use jig tipped with a minnow or worm near the bottom of deeper holes at dawn and dusk. Decorah District Streams All trout stream stockings are unannounced; streams are … Continue reading Northeast Iowa fishing report (Oct. 13)

Nashua Post

Nashua morning briefing (Oct. 13): Arrest made in food pantry break-in; N-P runners to compete in conference meet today

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. It’s Thursday, Oct. 13, and here’s what’s happening in local news. 1. WEATHER — Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 49, and breezy, with a northwest wind increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gust could reach around 37 mph. Tonight, it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. (Extended forecast) 2. CROSS COUNTY RUNNING — The Nashua-Plainfield boys and girls cross country teams will race at 3:30 p.m. today in the Top of Iowa … Continue reading Nashua morning briefing (Oct. 13): Arrest made in food pantry break-in; N-P runners to compete in conference meet today

Oelwein Post

Turkey Valley volleyball tops West Central

Chris Baldus

West Central volleyball pushed Turkey Valley to five sets Tuesday night before the Trojans finally banked their seventh consecutive win. Turkey Valley (16-15) defeated West Central (7-13) in Maynard 3-2 (21-25, 25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 15-6). UP NEXT The Blue Devils will host Kee, Lansing (1-16) in the first round of the Class 1A Region 6 playoffs at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17. Continue reading Turkey Valley volleyball tops West Central

Nashua Post

Nashua daily briefing (Oct. 12

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. It’s Thursday, Oct. 12. Happy National Farmers Day. Here’s what’s happening. 1. WEATHER — Today, there is a 20 % chance of isolated showers after 3 p.m. Clouds will increase throughout the day, and the high temp will be near 65. Breezy, with a north wind 7 to 12 mph becoming west 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy, with a west wind 8 to 16 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. VOLLEYBALL — N-P improved its season … Continue reading Nashua daily briefing (Oct. 12

Oelwein Post

Oelwein morning briefing (Oct. 12): Oelwein ties traffic cameras to event center funding, golf cart ordinance fails and more

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. It’s Wednesday, Oct. 12, happy National Farmers Day. Here’s your local news update; 1. WEATHER — Today, expect isolated showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, it will be cloudy through mid-morning, then gradually clearing, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a west wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Breezy, with a west wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. GOV’T: City Council ties events … Continue reading Oelwein morning briefing (Oct. 12): Oelwein ties traffic cameras to event center funding, golf cart ordinance fails and more

Nashua Post1 Comment

N-P volleyball closes out regular season going 2-1 at North Butler quad

Chris Baldus

GREENE — North Butler’s Bearcats we’re a point away from defeat when Olivia Dralle pushed the ball back over the net. It spun off the finger tips of a Nashua-Plainfield player going for a block and floated past the back line. The Bearcats got the serve back and got to work erasing the Huskies’ 24-21 lead. But, as North Butler looked to take a 25-24 lead N-P’s Bailey Fisher launched toward Paige Ripley’s set, and tapped the ball. The soft arch evaded the blockers. A Bearcat dig went awry. Fisher’s ensuing serve closed out the set, giving the Huskies their … Continue reading N-P volleyball closes out regular season going 2-1 at North Butler quad

Nashua, Oelwein Post1 Comment

Oelwein to host cross country state qualifying meet

Chris Baldus

Oelwein, Monticello, Orange City, Pella, and Shenandoah are host sites this year for the Class 2A boys and girls cross country IHSAA and IGHSAU state qualifying meets, which all will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. These teams will compete at Hickory Grove Golf Course in Oelwein: Anamosa, Aplington-Parkersburg, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Crestwood, Denver, Dike-New Hartford, Eagle Grove, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, New Hampton, North Fayette Valley, Oelwein, Osage, Roland-Story, Starmont and Williamsburg. In Monticello: Beckman Catholic, (Dyersville), Camanche, Columbus Catholic, Waterloo, Jesup, Louisa-Muscatine, Mediapolis, Monticello, Northeast Springville/Central City (Girls), Sumner-Fredericksburg, Tipton, Waukon, West Liberty and Wilton. In Pella: Albia, Cardinal, Eldon, … Continue reading Oelwein to host cross country state qualifying meet

Nashua Post

Nashua update Oct. 11

Chris Baldus

1. WEATHER — Today will be sunny and increasingly windy. Expect a high temperature of 76. A south wind of 9 to 14 mph will increase to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Tonight there is a 50% of showers. Otherwise increasing clouds with a low around 50. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph becoming west after midnight. 2. PLAINFIELD TRICK-OR-TREATING time is 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. 3. Continue reading Nashua update Oct. 11