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
Obituaries

Funeral for Robert Paul of Floyd is Sunday, May 21

Chris Baldus

FLOYD — Robert “Bob” Paul, 77, of Floyd, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, May 17. A funeral service for Bob will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. A private family burial will take place at a later date. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Hauser Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the funeral home on Sunday. Robert “Bob” Lee Paul was born November 11, 1939 to Chet and Betty (Mathews) … Continue reading Funeral for Robert Paul of Floyd is Sunday, May 21

Charles City

Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Convicted sex offender and former county and school board candidate Doug Lindaman is getting a new trial because he was not adequately warned about the dangers of representing himself. Lindaman was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse by a Floyd County jury on April 12, 2016. He is serving an up-to-10-year prison sentence and on release he was to be placed on the sex offender registry. In an order filed Friday, May 19, the three-judge panel of Iowa Supreme Court Justices Brent R. Appel, Thomas Waterman and Bruce B. Zager agreed with Lindaman’s appeal for a new trial … Continue reading Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Charles City

Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City Council planning session in which Rachel Colsch request to keep chickens at her home at 223 Charles St. has been postponed. -——  CHARLES CITY — A woman seeking permission to keep chickens in her backyard explains in a letter that they are dear family pets. “These are all my pets,” Rachel Colsch of 223 Charles St. wrote. “They are very special to me and I love them dearly.” Her request is scheduled to be discussed Monday, May 22, at the Charles City Council’s planning session in City Hall. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. In a … Continue reading Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Hail no! North Central Iowa hit again by destructive storms

Chris Baldus

Wednesday evening’s storms struck fast and furiously. At about 6 p.m., the Charles City Fire Department reported “many trees and powerlines down throughout (the) county, making many roads impassable.” A minute later, a spotter reported a tree branch knocking out power lines south of Charles City. These were two of many reports compiled by the National Weather Service about the high winds, hail and heavy rain that tore into north central Iowa Wednesday, May 17. The storms tracked north into Minnesota, where tornadoes were reported. Along with the snapped branches, large trees were uprooted in Charles City. The city will be … Continue reading Hail no! North Central Iowa hit again by destructive storms

Charles City

In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Chris Baldus

This story appeared in the Monday, May 18, 1914, Charles City Intelligencer. SEVERELY INJURED BY FROLICKING DOGS MRS JACKSON WOOD IS THROWN TO PAVEMENT SATURDAY Mrs. Jackson Wood, a well-known resident of west Kelly Street, met with a very serious accident last Saturday afternoon while downtown shopping. The lady, who is well-along in years, was passing in front of the Burns grocery when she was run into and thrown to the pavement by several dogs at play on the sidewalk, with the result that she sustained a broken hip, a fractured left wrist, a number of body bruises and contusions … Continue reading In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Arts, Charles City, Uncategorized

Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The final performance conducted by retiring Orchestra Director Nancy Western was by the Charles City Middle School orchestra Tuesday night in the 500 N. Grand Auditorium. The school’s band and orchestra performed their annual spring  concert. ORCHESTRA BAND Continue reading Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Arts, Charles City

$50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Indiana limestone steps were stacked out of the way on Jackson Street Tuesday morning as the crew from Renaissance Restoration assessed the job beneath the Charles City Arts Center’s front door. Bricks were easily plucked out of crumbling mortar in the  walls that held up the steps. The task was beginning to look bigger than first thought. “Right now we are under contract for about $50,000 in repair work,” City Administrator Steve Diers told Reports. “That amount is likely to increase as some of supporting brick has been found to be in poor condition and will … Continue reading $50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Charles City

Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Promising to be a governor for all Iowans, Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, launched his bid for Iowa governor Tuesday morning at Aromas coffee shop. “I am running for governor to create economic growth across the entire state,” he was quoted on campaign literature dotting tables as he spoke. “We need to invest in our rural communities, increase wages for Iowa workers and provide free universal community college to grow Iowa’s economy. Our state needs new leadership with a bold vision to help all of us, including those that have left behind for too long.” It was … Continue reading Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Storm blasts through region

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Although 75 mph winds were reported in Nashua and 1-inch hail in Charles City, the severe thunderstorms that raced through the region Monday evening saved its worse for locales farther east.   In New Hampton, as a rainbow spread above Nashua, 2-inch hail fell in the hard rain and high winds. Those winds sped up to 82 mph by the time they reached Calmar in Winneshiek County. In Fayette County, roofs blew off in numerous areas. The National Weather Service Reports that 0.97 of an inch of rain fell on Rockford and 0.57 fell in Charles City. Click … Continue reading Storm blasts through region

Charles City

No injuries at Charles City house fire

Chris Baldus

CCFD News Release CHARLES CITY – The Charles City Fire Department responded to a report of a porch and roof on fire at 611 Pfeiffer St. in Charles City at about 10:31 p.m. Sunday evening.   Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the home’s roof and attic area. Entry was made, and firefighters found that the fire was solely above the ceiling in the attic. CCFD firefighters attempted ventilating the roof, but fire had expanded across the home’s entire attic space, and having firefighters on the roof was a hazard to their safety. Firefighters inside the home … Continue reading No injuries at Charles City house fire

Comets

Comet boys golf team advances to district meet on Friday

Chris Baldus

Pictured from left are Charles City boys golf team members Carter Klatt, Theo Arndt, Jack Molstead, Nate Lasher and Carter Johanningmeier.  Comets take second at Decorah sectional DECORAH — The Comet boys golf team kept its postseason alive with a second-place finish at the Class 3A Sectional at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah. Charles City finished with a 354, behind West Delaware’s 329. They will meet again along with Benton Community and Central DeWitt at 10 a.m. Friday for district play at Pin Oaks Links in Manchester. Benton took first (300) and Central DeWitt (310) in the Maquoketa … Continue reading Comet boys golf team advances to district meet on Friday

Obituaries

Ben Lee Cordes passes at 77

Chris Baldus

ALTA VISTA — Ben Lee Cordes, age 77 of Alta Vista, IA passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017 unexpectedly at his home. Funeral Services for Ben will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, IA with Pastor Vincent Fricke officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Charles City VFW Post and the Alta Vista VFW Post. Burial will be held at a later date in Wayside Cemetery at Chapin, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa … Continue reading Ben Lee Cordes passes at 77

Warriors

3 Rockford girls qualify for State Track Meet

Chris Baldus

These Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock students are bound for the Iowa High School State Track Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, May 18-20: Skylar Schmitt in the shot put. Her seed mark of 37-00.50 puts her 15th among qualifiers. The Class 1A girls shot event begins at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 18   AJ Staudt in high jump. Her seed mark of 5-03 puts her No. 1 among qualifiers. The Class 1A state high jump event begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 19   Sheridan LaCoste in the 3,000 meter run. Her seed time of 11:40.6 puts her 16th among qualifiers. The Class 1A … Continue reading 3 Rockford girls qualify for State Track Meet

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Rockford wins boys golf sectional; Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler sending individuals to districts

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Juniors Zach Bushbaum and Nick Goodrich led the Rockford boys golf team to a first-place finish Friday at the Class 1A Boys Sectional Golf Meet at the Nashua Town and Country Club. Nashua-Plainfield and North Butler qualified individuals for next week’ district meet. At the sectional meet, Bushbaum defeated Saint Ansgar junior Dylan Low in a one-hole playoff for medalist. They were tied at 84 after 18 holes. Goodrich tied for third place with Saint Ansgar senior Ben Boerjan. They each scored an 85. Rockford and Saint Ansgar’s teams, which finished first and second, respectively, advance to the … Continue reading Rockford wins boys golf sectional; Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler sending individuals to districts

Charles City

City Council supports application to put former middle school building on National Register, asks for 2 edits

Chris Baldus

UPDATE CHARLES CITY (Thursday, May 11, 2017) — Municipal leaders are prepared to back the effort to get a federal designation for the former Charles City Middle School building that could help in adapting it for a new use. Wednesday night, the Charles City Council was supportive of the application by developer Charley Thomson to have the 1931 building added to the National Register of Historic Places. Councilmen asked for two changes, however. The first is noting the building is publicly not privately owned. Thomson has plans to purchase the Art Deco building at 500 N. Grand from the district … Continue reading City Council supports application to put former middle school building on National Register, asks for 2 edits

Comets, Uncategorized

Comet boys tee off Friday at sectionals in Decorah

Chris Baldus

DECORAH — The Charles City boys golf team will travel to Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah on Friday, May 12, for its Class 3A sectional meet. Golf begins at 10 a.m. Also competing in the meet are Decorah, Cresco, Waverly-Shell Rock, Oelwein, Independence, Union (LaPorte City) and West Delaware (Manchester). Teams and individuals advancing from the district meets in Decorah and Maquoketa will compete in district play Friday, May 19, at Pin Oaks Links. Golf begins at 10 a.m. For a full list of Class 3A sectional matchups, click here. Continue reading Comet boys tee off Friday at sectionals in Decorah

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Nashua to host boys golf sectional meet on Friday

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The Nashua Town and Country Club will host a Class 1A sectional boys golf meet beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12. The teams competing are Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler, Postville, Riceville, Rockford, Saint Ansgar and Turkey Valley. Teams advancing from the Nashua sectional and others in Algona, Grundy Center and Tripoli will compete in a district meet at 10 a.m., Friday, May 19, at the Mason City Country Club. For a full list of Class 1A sectional matchups, click here. Continue reading Nashua to host boys golf sectional meet on Friday

Arts, Charles City Schools

CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Jazz on the River became Jazz in Central Park this year as the amphitheater was damaged by floodwaters last year. The Charles City High School Jazz Ensemble and a group composed of middle and high school musicians performed Saturday, May 6, at the final jazz concert of the year. The playlist was extended by a few songs that the Jazz Ensemble prepared for the high school’s annual Ice Cream Social that was cancelled. The days performance was capped with the social’s traditional finale, “In the Mood.” Continue reading CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park