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, Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Nashua, New Hampton, Rockford

Gov. Reynolds recommends Iowa schools close for four weeks

Chris Baldus

News Release DES MOINES – Upon discovery of the existence of substantial community spread of COVID-19 in the state, Gov. Reynolds is recommending that Iowa schools close for four weeks.  “Based on new information today from the Iowa Department of Public Health, now is the time to move to the next level of response,” Gov. Reynolds stated. “I am now recommending that all Iowa schools close for a period of four weeks to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” Gov. Reynolds released the following video statement, it can be viewed here.  Gov. Reynolds is making this recommendation in consultation with … Continue reading Gov. Reynolds recommends Iowa schools close for four weeks

Charles City

CC schools posts Q-and-A about coronavirus and local reaction

Chris Baldus

The Charles City School District has posted this Q-and-A about coronavirus. Charles City Community Schools Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions – Families Q. Will Charles City Community Schools temporarily close due to COVID-19? A. As of now we are not closing. We are following the guidance and expert recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health and as of March 13, the IDPH says, “There is currently no known community spread of COVID-19 in Iowa and IDPH is not making any recommendations to cancel planned events and mass gatherings at this time.” These are not decisions that are taken lightly and … Continue reading CC schools posts Q-and-A about coronavirus and local reaction

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Additional COVID-19 Case in Iowa

Chris Baldus

News release from the Iowa Governor’s Office DES MOINES – Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory has indicated one additional positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa residents, a total of 14 positive cases. An additional 21 tests were negative.  According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the new case is in an older adult (61 to 80 years) from Johnson County and was on the same Egyptian cruise as other positive cases.   The cases previously identified as presumptive positive are now considered positive. The first five positive cases in Iowa were confirmed by CDC, per … Continue reading Additional COVID-19 Case in Iowa

Charles City

Zoetis Named a Top Company for Executive Women by NAFE

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE: For the Second Year in a Row, the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) Recognizes Zoetis for its Commitment to Women’s Advancement PARSIPPANY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS) today (March. 3) announced that it has been named one of the 2020 “Top 70 Companies for Executive Women” by the National Association for Female Executives. This honor recognizes U.S. corporations where there is a strong focus on best practices that demonstrate effectiveness in moving women to senior ranks, including mentoring, involvement in employee-resource groups and leadership development training. Zoetis is a major employer in Charles City. “We are honored … Continue reading Zoetis Named a Top Company for Executive Women by NAFE

COLUMNS

Prichard column: Investing in Education

Chris Baldus

By State Representative Todd Prichard Our first month of the 2020 legislative session has concluded and it’s been a whirlwind of activity at the State Capitol.  This week, the House and Senate each passed its own version of education funding for the upcoming school year.  What the final amount of state funding for students and classrooms will be is still an open question.  Fortunately, state revenues are strong right now in this environment of low unemployment.  After a decade of low funding for schools, I view this as an opportunity to make overdue investments in Iowa’s education system, particularly in … Continue reading Prichard column: Investing in Education

Charles City, Floyd County

Floyd County Democrats choose Buttigieg and Klobuchar

Chris Baldus

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, the Iowa Democratic Party reports that Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are first and second in state delegate equivalents totals: 1. Buttigieg, 549 2. Sanders, 533 3. Elizabeth Warren, 380 4. Joe Biden, 328 5. Amy Klobuchar, 254 In Floyd County, Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar came in first and second. Buttigieg received 133 caucus-goers choosing him in their final expressions of support, which translates to 2.2 state delegate equivalents. Klobuchar received 132 for 2.1, followed by Biden (110, 1.9), Sanders (81, 1.6) and Warren (81, 1.3). Floyd County Republicans cast 109 votes for President … Continue reading Floyd County Democrats choose Buttigieg and Klobuchar

Charles City

CC girls basketball wins in Oelwein

Chris Baldus

OELWEIN — The Charles city girls basketball team won its fifth game of the season Friday night, defeating Oelwein, 63-19 Senior Liz Fiser led the Comets in scoring with 13 points. Sophomore Lydia Staudt and senior Mackenzy Bilharz each added 12. Senior Lynn Hoeft scored 9, followed by senior Lauren Connell with 8, sophomore Rachel Chambers with 6, junior Dani Stock with 5 and junior Sadie Gebel with 4. . Charles City senior Liz Fiser drives to the basket Friday in Oelwein. Sophomore Rachel Chambers Continue reading CC girls basketball wins in Oelwein

Charles City, Comets

Charles City wrestlers take 2nd as a team at Girls State Tournament

Chris Baldus

WAVERLY — Charles City as a team took second place at the Iowa High School Girls Wrestling State Tournament at Waverly-Shell Rock High School over the weekend The Comets had 128 points. Waverly-Shell Rock took first with 156.5. Marissa Gallup took 8th in the 106-pound weight class. She scored 12 points for the team. Kiki Connell took 6th at 120, scoring 18. Toni Maloy placed 6th at 126, scoring 17. Lilly Luft took 4th at 132, scoring 24. Allie Cross is 7th at 145, scoring 11. Kalysta Rodriguez placed 4th at 285, scoring 13. Also contributing team point by winning matches were … Continue reading Charles City wrestlers take 2nd as a team at Girls State Tournament

Charles City, Comets

Comet girls basketball wins, again

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Comet girls basketball team had its highest scoring game of the season Friday night (Dec. 20), beating winless Oelwein, 60-19. The last time a Charles City girls basketball team scored 60 points was in the 2012-13 season. That team defeated Saint Ansgar 81-47 at home, and Oelwein 64-43, BCLUW 70-17 and Decorah 60-45, all on the road. The Comets finished the season 12-11 overall. This year’s Comets are now 3-5 overall, and host Saint Ansgar (5-1 overall) at 3:30 p.m. today (Dec. 21) in the Charles City Middle School gymnasium. – – – Charles City had … Continue reading Comet girls basketball wins, again

Comets

CC wrestlers take 4th in 12-team tournament

Chris Baldus

PARKERSBURG — Charles City placed fourth in the 12-team Keith Vry Invitational wrestling tournament on Saturday, Dec. 14. The top three teams were Don Bosco with 308.5 points, Crestwood, Cresco (207.5) and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (163.5). Charles City has 157 points. Elliot Sinwell at 170 was the only Charles City wrestler to place 1st in his weight class. After a first round by, Sinnwell won by an 11-1 major decision over Meirick Huffman of Osage. In the semifinal, Sinnwell won by a 10-3 decision over Cael Ahrens of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows. In the 1st place match Sinnwell pinned Fischer Ohrt of Don Bosco at … Continue reading CC wrestlers take 4th in 12-team tournament

Huskies

N-P wrestlers take first at their home tournament

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Nashua-Plainfield ran away with first place on Saturday as it hosted a 12-team tournament. Three Huskies won their weight classes: freshman Garret Rinken (106), Kendrick Huck (113) and Jakob Whitinger (120). Seven Huskies placed second: Trey Nelson (126), McKade Munn (138), Shane Hillesheim (152), Cael Brunner (160), Derik Downing (170), Evan Kalainoff (182) and Dalton Asche (195). Kollyn Lentz (145) and Jarrett Peterson (275) each placed sixth for N-P. The Huskies as a team collected 200 points. Second-place Hudson had 139.5. Rinken, a freshman, improved his season record to 14-0, by scoring pins in all three rounds at … Continue reading N-P wrestlers take first at their home tournament