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
Outdoors

Owl Prowl Night Hike II is on Friday, Jan. 29

Chris Baldus

Join Floyd County Conservation Naturalist, Heidi Reams, as you discover what makes owls unique and then go on a night hike at Tosanak Recreation Area, 2543 Glass Road, Marble Rock, from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. This is a free outdoor program – please dress appropriately. Due to COVID-19, Floyd County Conservation encourages participants to pre register in order to control group size and be able to socially distance along the hike. Call 641-756-3490 or email fpcenter@myomnitel.com for more information. Register at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Floyd/Park/Tosanak-Recreation-Area/Events/17565/Owl-Prowl-Night-Hike-II.aspx Continue reading Owl Prowl Night Hike II is on Friday, Jan. 29

Charles City, Charles City Schools

Charles City teacher dies after contracting COVID-19

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE FROM CC SCHOOL DISTRICT Charles City Community Schools is saddened to receive news this weekend of the death of a longtime member of our family, Charles City High School teacher Darla Arends. Ms. Arends was diagnosed with COVID-19 in September and died on Friday, November 6, 2020. In her 25 years at Charles City High School, Ms. Arends touched the lives of many students, parents, and staff as a special education teacher. Her reach went well beyond her classroom and students, serving as a mentor for her Charles City Family. She is a beloved and valuable member of … Continue reading Charles City teacher dies after contracting COVID-19

Huskies

Nashua-Plainfield to play South Winneshiek in first-round of football playoffs

Chris Baldus

Nashua-Plainfield travels to Calmar on Friday to take on South Winneshiek in the first round of the Class A all-team playoffs. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and admission is $6. As members of Pod 6, the winner moves on to the second round Friday, Oct. 23 to play the winner of Bishop Garrigan, Algona at Lake Mills Class A has 59 teams in the playoffs divided into 16 pods. Winners of each pod move on to the third round. Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield to play South Winneshiek in first-round of football playoffs

Comets, Sports

Charles City to play first round in Dubuque

Chris Baldus

Charles City travels to Dubuque to take on Wahlert Catholic in the first round of the Class 3A all-team playoffs on Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and admission is $6. As members of Pod 5, the winner moves to the second round Friday, Oct. 23, and plays Decorah, which has a first-round bye. Class 3A has 53 teams in the playoffs divided into 16 pods. Winners of each pod move on to the third round. Continue reading Charles City to play first round in Dubuque

Charles City

Iowa Farm Bureau designates Prichard as ‘Friend of Agriculture’

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE Charles City, Iowa – Iowa Farm Bureau has designated State Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City a 2020 “Friend of Agriculture”. Prichard is seeking re-election in House District 52, which includes Chickasaw, Floyd, and Cerro Gordo counties. “I know that agriculture is the backbone of Iowa’s economy,” said Prichard, who is serving his fourth term in the Iowa House. “This has been a tough year for the agriculture community, so I will continue helping farm families as they work to rebuild and recover.” While serving in the Iowa House, Prichard has served on the Agriculture Committee for seven … Continue reading Iowa Farm Bureau designates Prichard as ‘Friend of Agriculture’

Comets

Downing to coach Charles City High School girls basketball

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Tyler Downing, a 15-year coaching veteran, will be named the Charles City High School head girls basketball coach of his alma mater pending board approval by the Charles City Community School District Board of Education Monday evening. Mr. Downing is a social studies teacher with the Charles City High School. He was hired in 2009 as a special education teacher and accepted an opening in the social studies department earlier this year.  Downing’s multi-sports coaching background includes 15 years of coaching Comet baseball, 11 years coaching 7th-grade boys basketball, assistant coach to the high … Continue reading Downing to coach Charles City High School girls basketball

Charles City

Decorah blanks Charles City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Decorah began Charles City’s Homecoming game with a bang. The Vikings’ first offensive play was an inside run that broke for more than 50 yards. Comet defender Jeremiah Chapman made a touchdown-saving tackle inside the 5-yard line. Three plays later, Decorah’s senior quarterback Briggs Duwe scampered to the left the touchdown. As it turns out, that was the game-winning score. The Vikings went on to shutout the Comets in their 49-0 win. Decorah is 5-0 for the season. Charles City is 0-3. The Comets were poised to tie the game at 7 when Mario Hoefer hauled in … Continue reading Decorah blanks Charles City

Charles City

Charles City shuts down football program for 2 weeks because of COVID-19 infections

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Citing student safety as the top priority, school officials announced on Wednesday that the Charles City football program will be shut down for the next two weeks because of two COVID-19 infections among the players with the possibility of more. The Comets were scheduled to host Union-La Porte City this Friday and Western Dubuque next week. They traveled to New Hampton last Friday. The Chickasaws won 15-8. New Hampton will be celebrating its Homecoming next week. Mason City has also canceled its next two football games. “This week and next week’s football games are cancelled due to … Continue reading Charles City shuts down football program for 2 weeks because of COVID-19 infections

Nashua-Plainfield

Nashua-Plainfield football back in action after COVID-19 scare

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The Nashua-Plainfield football team will be in action Friday night after more details came out regarding a positive COVID-19 case. The person infected was not a team member and after consulting with officials from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Huskies will return to practice Thursday and will travel to Nora Springs on Friday for the season opener against Central Springs. “The individual who has tested positive was at the football scrimmage on Friday night and was not ever on school grounds any time after that,” Superintendent Keith Turner write … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield football back in action after COVID-19 scare

Chickasaw County, Huskies, Nashua, Nashua-Plainfield

Nashua-Plainfield football begins play Aug. 28 on the road

Chris Baldus

2020 NASHUA-PLAINFIELD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Week 1 Aug. 28 – 7 p.m. at Central Springs (Nora Springs) Week 2 Sept. 4 – 7 p.m. at Postville Week 3 Sept. 11 – 7 p.m. vs. Saint Ansgar at home Week 4 Sept. 18 – 7 p.m. at Lake Mills Week 5 Sept. 25 – 7 p.m. at West Fork Week 6 Oct. 2 – 7 p.m. vs. North Butler (Homecoming) Week 7 Oct. 9 – 7 p.m. vs. Newman Catholic (Senior Night) COACHING STAFF Head coach Andrew Christensen Assistant coaches Jason Fisher, Nick Henningsen, Chase Sudol, and Taylor Wedeking 2020 ROSTER 3 … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield football begins play Aug. 28 on the road

Charles City, Floyd County

COVID-19 UPDATE: Active cases on the rise in Floyd County; CC theater reduces showings

Chris Baldus

As the COVID-19 continues to spread in Floyd County, the number of active cases rose to 49 as of Saturday, Aug. 8. That’s an increase of more than a dozen since the beginning of the month. The state has recorded 148 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Floyd County since March, with 97 recoveries and two deaths, according to tracking by the Iowa Department of Public Health. New cases have surfaced in the county every day since July 28, totaling 38 through Saturday, Aug. 8. The majority of Fayette County’s cases, 43 percent, have involved people between the ages of 18 … Continue reading COVID-19 UPDATE: Active cases on the rise in Floyd County; CC theater reduces showings

Charles City

CC seeks year off from playing Go-Hawks because of racist fan behavior, considers leaving NEIC

Chris Baldus

In the wake of racist taunts hurled at a black Charles City baseball player at a regular season game in Waverly, the Charles City Community School District is considering leaving the Northeast Iowa Conference, asked that Waverly-Shell Rock be required to take measurable steps against such behavior and is seeking a year’s break from playing the Go-Hawks. On Wednesday, Charles City issued the following statement: The recent information released by an area school district regarding the investigation involving a Charles City student at a summer sporting event lacked the clarity we need and desire. We are eager to see a … Continue reading CC seeks year off from playing Go-Hawks because of racist fan behavior, considers leaving NEIC

Charles City, Sports

NEIC declares ‘Black Lives Matter’ in reaction to racist comments aimed at CC baseball player

Chris Baldus

  In the wake of spectators at a high school baseball game in Waverly shouting racist comments at a Charles City player, Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) member schools issued the following statement on Friday, July 3: As administrators and board of education members of the member schools of the Northeast Iowa Conference, we know racism exists in our conference, our schools, and our communities. We also know we are called to stand strongly for the dignity and rights of our students of color. Civil rights advocate and athlete Jackie Robinson once said, “Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re … Continue reading NEIC declares ‘Black Lives Matter’ in reaction to racist comments aimed at CC baseball player

Charles City

Charles City High School varsity baseball schedule and scores

Chris Baldus

JUNE 16 (1-1 overall, 1-1 NEIC) W — 11-1, New Hampton: WP- Tait Arndt, sr.: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 Ks (1-0) L — 5-7, New Hampton: LP – Elliott Sinnwell, sr.: 2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB 3 HB, 1 SAC, 4 K (0-1)   JUNE 19 (3-1 overall, 3-1 NEIC) W — 4-1, at Oelwein: WP – Atticus Parrott, sr.: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 Ks (1-0) W — 6-4, at Oelwein WP – Tino Tamayo, so.: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 … Continue reading Charles City High School varsity baseball schedule and scores

Charles City, Sports

CC youth softball to have 4-week season

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE CHARLES CITY SOFTBALL LEAGUS 2020 Charles City Softball LeagueGrades 1st-7th Parents and Players of Charles City Youth Softball League: We are excited to announce the decision to play ball this season! Due to the current circumstances, there will be some significant changes this year. There will also be strict rules that we must enforce. If you are still wanting to play ball, please continue reading!! If you have registered, but have changed your mind, please contact a board member and you will be given the full refund. If you are interested in signing up, you must … Continue reading CC youth softball to have 4-week season

Huskies, Nashua-Plainfield, Sports

Nashua-Plainfield’s Jeff Trost 2020 Recipient of IGHSAU Golf Golden Plaque Award

Chris Baldus

IGHSAU News Release      Nashua-Plainfield coach Jeff Trost is the 2020 golf recipient of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Golden Plaque of Distinction Award. Trost will be honored at the 2021 Iowa GIrls State Golf  Meet.      The IGHSAU Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions toward school, community and the coaching profession.     Trost has been coaching the golf team at Nashua-Plainfield for 41 seasons. During his tenure, he has guided four girls teams to the Girls State Golf Meet and has … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield’s Jeff Trost 2020 Recipient of IGHSAU Golf Golden Plaque Award

Obituaries

Helen Gwendaline Key, 96

Chris Baldus

IONIA — Helen Gwendaline Key age 96 of rural Ionia, IA died Thursday, May 7, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton is in charge of arrangements. Helen Key’s long, remarkable life began on Dec. 6, 1923, when she was born to Ricklef and Hilda (Petersen) Lunschen in Aurora, S.D. She was an outstanding student and graduated from Sioux Falls Washington High School at the age of 16 before attending business college in Minneapolis as a young adult. She … Continue reading Helen Gwendaline Key, 96

Obituaries

Craig Fisher, 68

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Craig Fisher, 68, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2020, at home. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Craig Gerald Fisher was born on November 15, 1951, to Gerald and Leone (Rodamaker) Fisher in Waterloo, Iowa. He attended Charles City schools and was a proud member of the Class of 1969. He attended NIACC and obtained an AA degree in Leisure Services Management. He went on to attend Iowa State University, and worked summers at the YMCA as a youth activities counselor, Salsbury’s and even playing Santa for several Christmases. He worked at … Continue reading Craig Fisher, 68

Obituaries

Dona Steele, 86

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Dona Steele, 86, of Charles City, passed away Monday, May 11, 2020 at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.  Dona Mae (Nehls) Steele was born on September 6, 1933 in Charles City, Iowa to Walter and Louise (Ripley) Nehls. On February 28, 1951 she married Darrel Steele. This union was blessed with six children. Dona was a stay at home mother … Continue reading Dona Steele, 86