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
Calendar, Floyd County, Nashua

Wednesday June 26 Field Day to Highlight Ag Weather Forecast and Commercial Hemp Production

Chris Baldus

 ISU EXTENSION NEWS RELEASE NASHUA – The Annual Spring Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1:00 to 4:10 PM. Dennis Todey, Director of the Midwest Climate Hub, will kick-off the program in the Borlaug Learning Center, by providing his insights on crop weather for the 2019 growing season. Angie Rieck-Hinz, Extension agronomist, follows with a discussion of the likelihood of hemp production in Iowa for 2020, including development of regulations, current production practices, and economic information from other states. The on-farm wagon tour will feature Stephan Gailans, Research and Field Crops Director with … Continue reading Wednesday June 26 Field Day to Highlight Ag Weather Forecast and Commercial Hemp Production

Charles City

Children can get free lunches from CC Schools this summer

Chris Baldus

Charles City Community Schools will participate in the Summer Food Service Program in June. Meals will be provided to all children without charge. Parents are encouraged to accompany younger children. An adult meal may be purchased for $3.50. No food is to be shared or carried out of the building. Meals will be provided, on a first come, first serve basis. Washington Elementary School, 1406 N. Grand Avenue June 10 – June 27, Monday – Thursday (No meals served on Friday) 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Summer menu download Continue reading Children can get free lunches from CC Schools this summer

Charles City, Nashua-Plainfield

N-P School Board to vote in personnel and fees at June 10 meeting

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The Nashua-Plainfield School Board has a slate full of resignations and new hires on the agenda for its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, in the Nashua-Plainfield Junior/Senior High School Commons. The agenda includes votes on: ⁃ The resignation of Crystal Crawford as a junior high teacher, girls basketball coach, and girls track coach. She has accepted a job elsewhere. ⁃ The resignation of Josslynn Lovik, junior high and elementary at risk and districtwide ESL teacher. She has accepted a position in Charles City as a middle school reading teacher. ⁃ The resignation of Joshua Scribner as … Continue reading N-P School Board to vote in personnel and fees at June 10 meeting

Charles City

Simply Essentials in CC closing; Sparboe Foods in NH sold

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Sparboe Foods LLC in New Hampton announced its sale in May. The chicken processing plant in Charles City gave notice this month that it is closing. Simply Essentials plans to be closed by Aug. 5, eliminating 513 jobs, according to state documents. Sparboe Foods also had filed notice with the state in May that it was closing, eliminating 193 jobs. Then it announced the plant’s sale to Deb El Food Products, which said in a news release it welcomed “Sparboe Foods’ talented employees.” This link goes to a state list of private business job losses because of … Continue reading Simply Essentials in CC closing; Sparboe Foods in NH sold

Nashua

Nashua-area weather forecast for May 24

Chris Baldus

National Weather Service forecast for Nashua, Iowa, area for Friday, May 24: Today Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. … Continue reading Nashua-area weather forecast for May 24

Charles City, Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Use chubs on the bottom of the Cedar River north of Nashua for catfish

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Water levels in the Cedar River above Nashua are stabilizing, but remain elevated with high flows, according to the Iowa DNR. Water clarity is poor and water temperatures are in the mid-50’s. Use caution when boating in higher flows. Here is some advice from the DNR’s weekly fishing report: Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs in the impoundments or shallow slack water areas. Keep your bait on the river bottom. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or ring worms. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Crankbaits will tempt a smallie. Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Use chubs on the bottom of the Cedar River north of Nashua for catfish

Charles City, Comets

Comet Soccer says goodbye to graduating founders; boasts high gpa’s

Chris Baldus

The Charles City High School Soccer Program held its second end of the season potluck on Thursday night. Some news of note from the banquet was the academic success of these students — 31 of 46 players have a GPA of 3.25 or greater, and 26 of those are above 3.5, according to head coach Brad McKenzie. “I knew we had an amazing team!” he tweeted. “Keep it up!” The potluck also was a chance to say goodbye to some seniors who helped launch this program. Their Comet Soccer legacy is that because of them, generations of Comets will get … Continue reading Comet Soccer says goodbye to graduating founders; boasts high gpa’s

Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Clear Lake walleye liking minnows and leeches

Chris Baldus

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – The water temperature of Clear Lake is in the low 60’s, according to the Iowa DNR. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success slip bobber fishing the rock reefs with jigs and a minnow or leech. With the clear water, the best bite is early morning and evening. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish the edge of the rushes with a small minnow. Yellow Bass – Slow: Use small jigs in 2 to 3 feet of water on warmer days. Best bite is at first light. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish the windswept shore and areas where water … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Clear Lake walleye liking minnows and leeches

Calendar

Butler County Fair coming up June 19-23

Chris Baldus

ALLISON, Iowa — “American Idol” winner Maddie Poppe will perform at the Butler County Fair, which runs from June 19-23 at the Fairgrounds in Allison. Caleb Lee Hutchinson will open for her grandstand concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. Here is the full grandstand lineup: Tuesday, June 18 —Pre-Fair Parade – 6 pm FREE EVENT Wednesday – June 19th – Night of Destruction – 7pm Thursday – June 20th – Bull Riding – 7pm Friday – June 21st – Maddie Poppe with Caleb Lee Hutchinson – 7:30pm Saturday – June 22nd – Chuckwagon Racing – 1pm Saturday … Continue reading Butler County Fair coming up June 19-23

Charles City

Charles City’s 2019 Party in the Park summer series begins June 7

Chris Baldus

Charles City Chamber of Commerce Charles City’s popular “Party in the Park” summer series returns in 2019 with five Friday night events that will run from 5-9 p.m. in Central Park. There will be free live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, a beer garden, children’s activities and more. Bring your own chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy the music and community fellowship. This year’s dates, themes and featured bands are: June 7: “80’s Night”- Redline June 21: “Country Night” – Wild Card July 12: “Family Game Night” – Highway 9 July 26: Tailgating Night – Jay Clyde Band August … Continue reading Charles City’s 2019 Party in the Park summer series begins June 7

Charles City

Rural Charles City house destroyed by fire

Chris Baldus

From the CHARLES CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT The Charles City Fire Department (CCFD) responded to a passerby report of a house fire Thursday afternoon around 12:10PM at 2455 Miner Ave., Southwest of Charles City. Upon arrival, smoke and fire was visible from the exterior of the home.  No one was home at the time of the fire, and it is likely that the fire had a significant head start prior to the passerby report to 911.  Two CCFD engines and a tanker responded to the fire. Fire, smoke, and water damage was major, with the home likely a total loss.  The … Continue reading Rural Charles City house destroyed by fire

Nashua

Weather: Rain tonight, cloudy Wednesday

Chris Baldus

National Weather Service forecast  Tonight (April 30) — Periods of showers. Low around 42. Breezy, with a northeast wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday (May 1) — Scattered showers before 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Wednesday Night (May 2) — Scattered showers, mainly after 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an … Continue reading Weather: Rain tonight, cloudy Wednesday

Floyd County

Floyd County Board meeting agenda for April 9

Chris Baldus

Floyd County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda April 9, 2019, 9:00 a.m. Floyd County Courthouse Board Room 1. Approve agenda 2. Public Comment 3. Review/Action regarding approval of March 25 and 26, 2019 meeting minutes 4. Review/Action regarding approval of claims 5. Review/Action regarding Res #17-19 Depositories for County Treasurer 6. Review/Action regarding property tax suspension 7. Review/Action regarding First Amendment to the Child Support County Staffing contract between Iowa DHS and Floyd County 8. Review/Action regarding Notice of Assignment-acknowledgement of the removal of Bankers Trust Company to UMB as successor for Trustee, Escrow Agent and/or Paying Agent-Service Transition 9. … Continue reading Floyd County Board meeting agenda for April 9

Charles City Schools

CCHS seeking hosts for students from Germany

Chris Baldus

The German American Partnership Program at Charles City High School is seeking host families. Below is an email sent out by German teacher Shari Stoll: I am still looking for hosts!  I have 5.  We need 12-15.  Please fill out the form below if you can host and help out with a living space for the student. The dates are as follows:   They will arrive mid afternoon to evening on September 24th and be here until the morning of the 7th.  They will then go to South Dakota from the 7th of October to the 11th of October.  They will … Continue reading CCHS seeking hosts for students from Germany

Charles City

CC City Council meeting agenda for April 8m

Chris Baldus

Council/Staff Planning Session Council Chambers, City Hall 1. Meeting Date And Time 1.I. April 8, 2019 6:00 P.m. 2. Call To Order 3. Mayor’s Comments 4. City Department Update – Foster Grandparents 5. Housing Transformer Project Update – Heidi Nielsen And Ed Wineinger Documents: AIS-PLANNING SESSION TRANSFORMERS.PDF CHARLES CITY HOUSING – FINAL REVIEW.PDF 6. Consider Acquisition Of Property – Allied Documents: AIS 6 ALLIED LAND DEV OUTLOT C PACKET.PDF 7. WPC Land Lease Documents: AIS 7 WPC -WRRF LAND LEASE (PACKET).PDF 8. Pole Mounted Antenna Policy Documents: AIS 8 POLE MOUNTED ANTENNA (PACKET).PDF 9. Federal Procurement Policies Update Documents: AIS … Continue reading CC City Council meeting agenda for April 8m

Charles City Schools

CCHS sports/arts calendar March 8-13

Chris Baldus

Upcoming Events: Monday, April 8: Boys Varsity Golf Meet at Cedar Ridge Golf Course 4:00pm Girls Varsity Golf Meet at Silvercrest Golf and Country Club at Decorah 4:00pm Girls Varsity Tennis Meet at Mason City High School 4:00pm Boys Varsity Track Invitational at Decorah High School 5:00pm Tuesday, April 9: Girls Varsity Tennis Meet at Sportsmen’s Park 3:00pm JV/V Soccer Meet at Waverly-Shell Rock High School 4:30pm Girls Varsity Track Meet at Osage High School 4:30pm Wednesday, April 10: No Events Thursday, April 11: Girls Varsity Tennis Meet at Sportsmen’s Park 4:00pm Girls Varsity Golf Meet at Oelwein 4:00pm Boys Varsity … Continue reading CCHS sports/arts calendar March 8-13

Schools

NIACC Career Fair is Wednesday

Chris Baldus

Whether you’re looking to find a fresh start, a better job, or a new career direction, job seekers will find many exciting opportunities at the North Iowa Job and Career Fair, hosted by North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and IowaWORKS. This event will take place on Wednesday, April 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the NIACC Gymnasium. “The North Iowa Job and Career Fair invites the job seekers and soon-to-be graduates to attend to connect with area businesses. Maintaining a skilled workforce is important not only to the companies represented but to the surrounding communities,” said Terri Ewers, Vice … Continue reading NIACC Career Fair is Wednesday