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 jv soccer hosting Mason City, Photos
Floyd County Extension and Outreach April 2019 Calendar
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM Clover Kids – Charles City Charles City Thursday, April 4, 2019 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Pick A Better Snack – IC Charles City Friday, April 5, 2019 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Pick A Better Snack – Washington 1st Grade Charles City Saturday, April 6, 2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM YQCA – Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (formerly called FSQA) Charles City Monday, April 8, 2019 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM Clover Kids – Charles City Charles City Tuesday, April 9, 2019 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Pick A Better Snack – Nora Springs Nora Springs 3:15 PM – … Continue reading Floyd County Extension and Outreach April 2019 Calendar
Flooding a distinct possibility this week
As of Monday, it was still easy to find snow banks along Highway 218 taller than a car. Rural roadside ditches throughout north-central Iowa are filled with snow. The landscape is going to change beginning Tuesday as an abnormal warm-up will jumpstart a meltdown, and create dangerous situations. The National Weather Service is warning about flooding and more as heat rises and rain falls through the rest of the week. It’s warning reads that “significant and prolonged warmup from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday is going to start the snow melt across the area in the upcoming days. “Snow cover across … Continue reading Flooding a distinct possibility this week
Floyd County Extension Council to meet March 18
The Floyd County Extension Council will be meeting for their monthly council meeting, Tuesday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. at Floyd County Extension Office, 112 N Main Street, Charles City. This meeting is open to the public. Continue reading Floyd County Extension Council to meet March 18
Vehicle flips into center median on Avenue near Rudd
RUDD — Emergency responders are on the scene of a single-vehicle crash on the Avenue of the Saints near Rudd. A vehicle is upside down in the median and responders appear to be trying to extricate someone. The road conditions are sloppy wet. The shoulders are layered with ice and slush. A winter weather advisory is in effect for north central and northeast Iow until 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Mixed precipitation is expected, with snow accumulation of up to 3 inches. Look for travel to be slippery. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph may … Continue reading Vehicle flips into center median on Avenue near Rudd
Rural Angel Investing is Topic of Extension Program
By ISU EXTENSION Rural stakeholders interested in learning about Iowa’s emerging rural investor networks for agricultural technology and strategic rural ventures are invited to an educational workshop titled, “Strategies for Angel Investing.” The workshop is organized by an initiative called the Iowa Rural Equity Project (IREP) and collaborators including ISU Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Cerro Gordo County will be co-hosting the program from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Music Man Square, 308 S Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, IA. The local workshop is being co-sponsored by Ag Ventures Alliance … Continue reading Rural Angel Investing is Topic of Extension Program
FISHING REPORT: Lots of small yellow perch being caught on Clear Lake
By the Iowa DNR Clear Lake The lake is covered with several inches of snow. Local anglers have plowed a few paths on the lake for access. Please be courteous and don’t park in the middle of the path blocking traffic. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow with a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm near the Baptist camp. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Lots of small yellow perch being caught on Clear Lake
Annual Great Chili Cook-Off set for March 1
News Release CHARLES CITY – Warm up this winter with a great cup of chili … or seven, at the Great Chili Cook-Off on Friday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbus Club in Charles City. One of Community Revitalization’s longest-running community events, the Great Chili Cook-Off is in its 23rd year as both a fundraiser for Charles City’s Main Street program and a fun, tasty way for the community to come together and shake off some of those winter blues. Seven local “celebrity” chili cooks offer up their best recipes for the public to sample … Continue reading Annual Great Chili Cook-Off set for March 1
Semi trailers backed up by Casey’s in Nashua, Monday about noon
Road conditions north of Nashua have led to a back up of semi trailers parking around Casey’s and elsewhere near the overpass. I35 is closed from Ames to the Minnesota border. UPDATE: 9:30 p.m.: Semitrailers parked across from Nashua’s Casey’s on the nearby entry ramp onto the Avenue of the Saints and elsewhere in the immediate area at 9:30 p.m. Monday. I-35 and the Avenue were open for traffic, however multiple road closures remained in effect. Continue reading Semi trailers backed up by Casey’s in Nashua, Monday about noon
Photos: CCHS Orchestra Concert, Feb. 21
Here are some images from the Charles City High School orchestra and band concert on Thursday. Continue reading Photos: CCHS Orchestra Concert, Feb. 21
Floyd County Extension and Outreach March 2019 Calendar
Friday, March 1 9:20 AM – 1:50 PM Water Rocks! visit to Lincoln Elementary Charles City Tuesday, March 5 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Simple Meals with the Girl Scouts Charles City 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM Clover Kids – Charles City Charles City 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Better Kid Care & Childcare Provider Training Charles City Wednesday, March 6 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Ornamental & Turfgrass Applicators PSEP Charles City 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Pick A Better Snack – Nora Springs Nora Springs Thursday, March 7 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Pick A Better Snack – IC Charles City Friday, March 8 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Pick … Continue reading Floyd County Extension and Outreach March 2019 Calendar
Iowa license plates can support natural resources
News Release Iowans can put their support for conservation on cruise control by purchasing a natural resources license plate when it’s time to renew their vehicle registration. The sale of Iowa’s natural resources license plates provides financial support for the Wildlife Diversity Program in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP). After the initial $45 fee, the $25 renewal fee will be added to the annual registration bill. Each year when the registration is renewed, $15 goes to the Wildlife Diversity Program and $10 goes to REAP. Proceeds from the license plates are … Continue reading Iowa license plates can support natural resources
Memorial Day weekend campsites available soon for reservation
News Release For people interested in camping during Memorial Day weekend, the three-month window to reserve a campsite at an Iowa state park opens Sunday, Feb. 24. Memorial Day weekend begins Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27. Campsite reservations can be made three months prior to visiting, making it a good time to start planning a trip to a state park. Information on Iowa’s state parks is available at http://www.iowadnr.gov including the link to make reservations. Campers can also log on directly to https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do. Due to renovations to campgrounds and poor weather conditions, the following parks will not be … Continue reading Memorial Day weekend campsites available soon for reservation
Workshop on evaluating estate, transition plans set for Feb. 26 in Charles City
News Release “Talking about transitions and estate planning is difficult for most people – including rural Iowans – individuals, couples and families,” says Melissa O’Rourke, the Iowa State University Farm & Agribusiness Management Specialist in northeast Iowa. “And actual implementation of a transition plan can be even harder.” That’s why Iowa State University Extension offers an “Evaluating Your Estate Plan” workshop to answer questions and help people prepare for the future. The one-day workshop will be held on February 26 in Charles City. “Families and individuals should plan adequately to protect assets and family relationships that are vital to their … Continue reading Workshop on evaluating estate, transition plans set for Feb. 26 in Charles City
China trade war, water quality research are topics at March 5 event at ISU Northeast Research Farm
News Release NASHUA – Wendong Zhang, Extension Ag Economist, Brian Dougherty, Ag Engineering Field Specialist, and Natasha Hoover, Research Associate from the ISU water quality research lab, will speak at the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association (NEIAEA) at the Borlaug Learning Center, ISU Northeast Research Farm, Nashua. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Call to Order for the board meeting. From 10:00 a.m. to Noon will be key presentations from Wendong Zhang, Brian Dougherty, and Natasha Hoover. Zhang will address “U.S. – China Ag Trade and the Trade War”. Dougherty and Hoover will share … Continue reading China trade war, water quality research are topics at March 5 event at ISU Northeast Research Farm
PHOTOS: CCHS Pops Concert, Feb. 19, 2019
2019 Elma Sportsmen’s Club Sports Show is Feb. 24
PHOTOS: CC, NP and Riceville at State Wrestling Tournament
Petition seeks setting quality standards regarding nutrient levels in public lakes
DES MOINES – A petition by the Iowa Environmental Council and the Environmental Law and Policy Center to have the state adopt numeric water quality standards for certain public recreational lakes appears to be headed for denial. A draft document included in the state’s Environmental Protection Commission’s meeting packet for its Feb. 19 meeting is for denying the petition. Click here to call up the draft document. Open the EPC Meeting Packet and Agenda. The petition asks for standards that account for “water transparency, concentration of chlorophyll-a, concentration of total phosphorus, and concentration of total nitrogen. The proposed rules would also … Continue reading Petition seeks setting quality standards regarding nutrient levels in public lakes
NORTH CEDAR REPORTS 