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 boys cross country 7th in 2A; WV, S-F & Jesup girls ranked

Chris Baldus

In the week 11 rankings released Tuesday by IATC, the Oelwein boys cross country team is seventh in Class 2A. Among Class 2A girls teams, Sumner-Fredericksburg is 16th and Jesup is 19th. Wapsie Valley is 14th in girls Class 1A. Individually, Starmont-West Central’s Charlie Sieck is 5th among Class 2A boys. Oelwein’s Conall Sauser is 13th and Ray Gearhart is 18th. MacKenzie Wilson of Jesup is fourth among Class 2A girls. Teammate Clare Wright is eighth. S-F’s Hillary Trainor is sixth. Continue reading Oelwein boys cross country 7th in 2A; WV, S-F & Jesup girls ranked

Oelwein Post

6 at 6: Oelwein City attorney resigning, WV volleyball winning, leaves peaking and more

Chris Baldus

Good morning Oelwein reader. Here are six local news item at 6 a.m. to get your day started. It’s Tuesday, Oct. 11. 1. CITY ATTORNEY RESIGNING — The Oelwein City Council is weighing its options to replace Patrick Dillon as city attorney. City administration recommends contracting with a large firm with more resources than a local attorney could provide and requesting an attorney at Council meeting when necessary. Dillon submitted notice to City Administrator Dylan Mulfinger on Sept. 29 that he is resigning. “It has been a pleasure to work with you and the city since 2016,” Dillon wrote. “I … Continue reading 6 at 6: Oelwein City attorney resigning, WV volleyball winning, leaves peaking and more

Charles City Post

Charles City morning update (Oct. 11):

Chris Baldus

1. WEATHER — Today will be sunny and increasingly windy. Expect a high temperature of 77. 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 and possible thunderstorms before 4 a.m. Other then a slight chance of showers. Otherwise it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 49. A south wind of 10 to 18 mph will become northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. 2. VOLLEYBALL— Charles City (23-10) volleyball … Continue reading Charles City morning update (Oct. 11):

Oelwein Post

West Central volleyball to open regional playoffs at home Oct. 17

Chris Baldus

West Central (7-12) will open the Class 1A Region 6 volleyball playoffs at home on Monday, Oct. 17 against Kee, Lansing (1-16). Game time is 7 p.m. The winner will travel to Don Bosco (21-9) on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to take on the 8th-ranked Dons. But first, the Blue Devils have one last regular season match. They will host Turkey Valley (11-15) on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. Continue reading West Central volleyball to open regional playoffs at home Oct. 17

Nashua Post1 Comment

N-P volleyball plays Riceville in regionals opener next Monday

Chris Baldus

The Nashua-Plainfield volleyball team (7-16) will travel to Riceville (20-14) on Monday, Oct. 17, for the first round of the Class 1A Region 5 playoffs. Game time is 7 p.m. The winner will travel to Rockford for the second round to play Rockford or West Fork. Riceville and N-P’s most recent meeting was the first week of regionals last year. The Huskies won 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-20). In 17 meetings since 2008, N-P has won 15. Riceville won matches in 2008 and 2010. The Huskies, winners of five of their last seven, have one more regular-season engagement before the postseason … Continue reading N-P volleyball plays Riceville in regionals opener next Monday

Oelwein Post

Oelwein morning update (Oct. 10): Events center vote tonight at City Council

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. Here’s your morning update. 1. Comfortably warm (today) before the storm (Tuesday night) — Tonight will be sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Rain is expected Tuesday night followed by cooler temperatures the rest of the week. (Extended Forecast) 2. Events center contribution on Oelwein City Council agenda tonight — At its meeting that begins at 6 p.m. tonight, the City Council is scheduled to vote on filling … Continue reading Oelwein morning update (Oct. 10): Events center vote tonight at City Council

Nashua Post

7 at 7: Oct. 10 Nashua update

Chris Baldus

Good morning Nashua area. Here’s your news: 1. Pleasant weather today, tonight: Today will be sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. (Extended Forecast) Fall colors are expected to peak this week. 2. N-P School Board meets tonight: The agenda for the 7 p.m. agenda includes approving school improvement goals, a pair of volunteer wrestling coaches, and the resignations of two cheer coaches. The board will also vote on contract language regarding … Continue reading 7 at 7: Oct. 10 Nashua update

Nashua Post1 Comment

Down early, N-P football rallies for must win, clinches postseason bid (videos & story

Chris Baldus

ACKLEY — The Huskies had cause to be concerned early in Friday night’s game. Although the Nashua-Plainfield offense drove 65 yards on its first possession of the game for a Titus Evans rushing touchdown, it failed on its 2-point conversion attempt. AGWSR answered with a 75-yard drive capped off with a Kaden Abbas touchdown plunge and a successful 2-point conversion. The Cougars grabbed an 8-6 lead. After exchanging punts, the Cougars were back on a long drive to the end zone, but the first of seven turnovers sent N-P surging. Joel Winters recovered the AGWSR fumble on the Huskies 26-yard … Continue reading Down early, N-P football rallies for must win, clinches postseason bid (videos & story

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post1 Comment

High school football scoreboard (Oct. 8)

Chris Baldus

Class A, District 3 STANDINGS: 1. Grundy Center 5-0 (7-0), 2. Wapsie Valley 4-1 (5-2), 3. Nashua-Plainfield 3-2 (5-2), 4. BCLUW 2-3 (4-3), 5. Hudson 2-3 (3-4), 6. AGWSR 2-4 (3-4), 7. North Tama 0-5 (1-6) UPCOMING GAMES: Friday, Oct. 14 Class A, District 4 STANDINGS — 1. North Linn 5- 0 (6-1), 2. East Buchanan 4- 1 (6-1), 3. Maquoketa Valley 4-1 (5-2), 4. Bellevue 3-3 (3- 4), 5. South Winneshiek 2-3 (2-5), 6. Starmont 1-5 (1-6), 7. Clayton Ridge 0-5 (1-6) Class 1A District 3 Class 1A District 4 STANDINGS: 1. MFL MarMac 4-0 (6-1), 2. Columbus Catholic … Continue reading High school football scoreboard (Oct. 8)

Charles City Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors1 Comment

Your comments sought about the state withdrawing a nitrate restriction for the Cedar River Watershed

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa DNR The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the DNR’s intent to withdraw the Cedar River watershed nitrate total maximum daily load (TMDL). TMDLs include analyses and methods for improving water quality for water bodies on the state’s Clean Water Act 303d impaired waters list. In 2006, the DNR finalized a TMDL for nitrate in the Cedar River. The DNR created the Cedar River TMDL due to the nitrate impairment in the segment of the Cedar River which Cedar Rapids uses as a source for municipal drinking water. The DNR has concluded … Continue reading Your comments sought about the state withdrawing a nitrate restriction for the Cedar River Watershed

Nashua Post

Nashua afternoon edition

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, Nashua area. Here’s what’s happening locally. 1. FREEZE WARNING — The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning that will be in effect overnight from 1-8 a.m. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 to 30 degrees are expected across parts of north central and northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and central, southwest and west central Wisconsin. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. 2. N-P FOOTBALL NEEDS A WIN — In the race for the last two of the four playoff spots in Class A District 4, Nashua-Plainfield and … Continue reading Nashua afternoon edition

Oelwein Post

7 at 7:30 for the Oelwein area (Oct. 7)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area. Here’s your 7 local news nuggets at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7 1. WEATHER — Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Tonight, expect widespread frost, mainly after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. 2. New Kwik Star open — The Kwik Star on Oelwein’s south side opened this morning. There will be an open house and ribbon cutting at the new Oelwein Kwik Star at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. 3. WV takes … Continue reading 7 at 7:30 for the Oelwein area (Oct. 7)

Oelwein Post1 Comment

S-F’s Trainor wins New Hampton Invitational cross country meet

Chris Baldus

FREDERICKSBURG — At the top the cross country running route at Plum Creek Golf Course, Hillary Trainor broke away from the lead pack, which just powered up gradual but long climb. The Sumner-Fredericksburg junior went on the win the varsity girls 5K run with a time of 19:19.2 Crestwood junior Kinze Shea was second with her personal best time of 19:33.1 followed by New Hampton senior Campbelle Kolbet (third, 19:36.4), Nashua-Plainfield sophomore Kandace Huck (fourth, 19:52.4, personal best), and Wapsie Valley junior Ava Vandaele (fifth, 20:13.2, personal best). Crestwood won the team title, while Sumner-Fredericksburg was second, Wapsie Valley third, … Continue reading S-F’s Trainor wins New Hampton Invitational cross country meet

Nashua Post

Huck, White post personal best times; N-P girls place 6th

Chris Baldus

FREDERICKSBURG — Kandace Huck beat Nashua-Plainfield’s sophomore cross country standout Thursday evening by nearly 2 seconds. Huck beat her best time by finishing fourth at the New Hampton Invitational with a time of 19:52.4. Her previous best was 19:54.3, set Sept. 22 at Pioneer Town And County Club, in Manly. Teammate junior Ellie Eick finished 32nd with a time of 23:33.6, followed by ninth-grader Jalissa White (33rd, 23:43.4, personal best time), sophomore Amberley Gerholdt (41st, 24:49.3, season best time), junior Alexis Weiss (47th,26:52.2), junior Emma O’Neill (50th, 28:26.8) and senior Sheyenne Bergmann (52nd, 36:00.1). As a team, N-P placed 6th. … Continue reading Huck, White post personal best times; N-P girls place 6th

Oelwein Post

Oelwein update (Oct. 6): NICL volleyball championship tonight; new Oelwein Kwik Star grand opening Oct. 18

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, Oelwein area readers, here is your moon update for today. 1. WEATHER — Today will gradually become sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a north wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight will be Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. KWIK STAR UPDATE – There will be an open house and ribbon cutting at the new Oelwein Kwik Star at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. 4. NICL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT GAMES CONTINUE … Continue reading Oelwein update (Oct. 6): NICL volleyball championship tonight; new Oelwein Kwik Star grand opening Oct. 18

Nashua Post

Nashua morning update (Oct. 6) Frost expected, trash rate hike still coming, N-P runners in Fredericksburg

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Nashua area readers. Here is your morning local news update. If you would like to see more coverage like this, consider following The Nashua Post on Facebook and help us grow. 1. WEATHER — Today will start mostly cloudy, then gradually become sunny and breezy with a high near 62. A north wind 7-12 mph will increase to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight it will be partly cloudy and breezy with a low around 35 and a north wind of 7-16 mph. Patchy frost will settle in after 5 a.m. (Extended Forecast) 2. DOWNTOWN NASHUA BUSINESS ANNOUNCES … Continue reading Nashua morning update (Oct. 6) Frost expected, trash rate hike still coming, N-P runners in Fredericksburg

Nashua Post

N-P wins for 5th time in last 7 matches

Chris Baldus

SHEFFIELD — The Nashua-Plainfield volleyball team took its winning ways on the road Tuesday, defeating West Fork in three sets (26-24, 25-16, 26-24). The Huskies improved their season record to 7-16. West Fork is 4-14. The Huskies have won five of their last seven matches. UP NEXT N-P’s next action is a quadrangular at North Butler (4-17) on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The first set begins at 6 p.m. The other teams involved are Lake Mills (23-4) and Hampton-Dumont-CAL (3-17). TOP OF IOWA-EAST STANDINGS Team Conf. (Season) Continue reading N-P wins for 5th time in last 7 matches

Oelwein Post

Oelwein news at noon (Oct.5)

Chris Baldus

Good afternoon, Oelwein area. Here’s what’s happening: 1. WEATHER — Today, there is a 50% chance of showers, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7 p.m. Otherwise it will be Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Light and variable wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight. (Extended Forecast) 2. CROSS COUNTY — Starmont/West Central’s Sieck places 3rd, Oelwein boys takes 7th as a team in Manchester Oelwein’s varsity boys cross country team finished in 7th … Continue reading Oelwein news at noon (Oct.5)

Nashua Post

N-P cross country races in Calmar; Huck takes first

Chris Baldus

CALMAR — Thirty-two seconds. That’s more than three Snapchat videos. That’s longer than you’d count between seeing lightning that’s six miles away and hearing the thunder. It’s also the time that lapsed between Nashua-Plainfield sophomore Kandace Huck’s first-place finish Tuesday night in Calmar and the second-place finisher. Huck won the varsity girls 5K cross county race at the South Winn Invitational with a time of 20:06.4. Central Elkader senior Hannah Asche took second at 20:38.5. As a team, the Huskies girls squad captured sixth place out of a nine team field. Junior Ellie Eick was N-P’s next finisher at 48th … Continue reading N-P cross country races in Calmar; Huck takes first