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, Charles City

Workshop on evaluating estate, transition plans set for Feb. 26 in Charles City

Chris Baldus

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

Calendar, Nashua

China trade war, water quality research are topics at March 5 event at ISU Northeast Research Farm

Chris Baldus

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

Outdoors

Petition seeks setting quality standards regarding nutrient levels in public lakes

Chris Baldus

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

Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Crappie in the Cedar backwaters

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa DNR This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. Clear Lake Ice thickness is 12 to 18 inches. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow with a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Slow: Best … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Crappie in the Cedar backwaters

Floyd County

Floyd County Board meeting agenda, Feb. 12

Chris Baldus

Floyd County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda February 12, 2019, 9 a.m. Floyd County Courthouse Board Room 1. Approve agenda 2. Public Comment 3. Review/Action regarding approval of January 22 and 28, 2019 meeting minutes 4. Review/Action regarding approval of claims 5. Review/Action regarding appointments to various board 6. Review/Action regarding Res #11-19 Zoning Changes – Lake View Estates Subdivision – second reading, set date for third reading or waive third reading 7. Review/Action regarding AIA Document C132-2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Advisor 8. Review/Action regarding Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report 9. Review/Action regarding Liquor License … Continue reading Floyd County Board meeting agenda, Feb. 12

Floyd County

Floyd County Extension and Outreach February 2019 Calendar

Chris Baldus

Friday, February 1, 2019 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM   Pick A Better Snack – Washington 1st Grade   Charles City 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM   4-H Winter Adventure   Boone Saturday, February 2, 2019 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM   4-H Winter Adventure   Boone  (continuation) Monday, February 4, 2019 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM   ServSafe Food Safety Training   Charles City 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM   Pick A Better Snack – Washington 2nd Grade   Charles City Tuesday, February 5, 2019 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM   Clover Kids – Charles City   Charles City Wednesday, February 6, 2019 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM   Reading Buddies – RRMR   Rockford Thursday, February 7, 2019 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM   Pick A Better … Continue reading Floyd County Extension and Outreach February 2019 Calendar

Outdoors

Application process now open for Trees for Kids programs

Chris Baldus

DNR news release DES MOINES – Applications are now being accepted for the Trees for Kids Grant and Trees for Kids Seedlings through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Applications are due in March and are open to public organizations such as municipalities, schools, neighborhood associations, parks and recreation departments, county conservation boards, etc. Recipients of the Trees for Kids grants have the possibility to receive up to $5,000 to purchase trees and mulch from a nursery, but must include youth education, preferably by having youth help plant the trees. Application deadline for Trees For Kids grant is Friday, … Continue reading Application process now open for Trees for Kids programs

Outdoors

DNR seeking public comment for proposed rules for state parks and recreation areas

Chris Baldus

DNR news release The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently seeking public comment for the proposed rule making to implement Senate File 2389, passed by the Iowa Legislature in April 2018, allowing the DNR to establish rental fees at state parks and recreation areas. This change eliminates the need for the DNR to go through rule making under the authority of the Natural Resource Commission to establish, change and manage fees for camping, the use of rental facilities and other special privileges in state parks and recreation areas. As part of the legislation, the DNR is required to … Continue reading DNR seeking public comment for proposed rules for state parks and recreation areas

Nashua, Nashua-Plainfield, Obituaries

Obituary: Caleb Ulrichs, 18, of Nashua

Chris Baldus

Caleb Ulrichs, age 18, of Nashua, IA, died Sunday, January 13, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the Nashua Plainfield High School Gymnasium; 612 Greeley St, Nashua, IA 50658. Interment will be held in St. John’s United Church of Christ – Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Nashua with Lukas Bucknell, Dylan Downing, Drew Moine, Elizabeth Fisher, Abby Poppe, Gabe Ulrichs, Natalie Ulrichs, and Jacob Kukral serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Griffin Stoughton, Megan Martin, Faith Franzen, Maddi Moorman and the class of 2019. In lieu of … Continue reading Obituary: Caleb Ulrichs, 18, of Nashua

Nashua-Plainfield

N-P senior Caleb Ulrichs passes away

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Nashua-Plainfield senior Caleb Ulrichs, 18, passed away Sunday at his home surrounded by his family, according to an obituary posted on the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home site. Funeral services are pending. Caleb was diagnosed this summer with leukemia and was treated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The Nashua-Plainfield High School administrative team on Sunday night sent out this statement to staff, students and their families: “All of us at Nashua-Plainfield were saddened to hear the news this evening of the passing of Caleb Ulrichs, one of our 12th grade students, after a courageous battle with leukemia. We will … Continue reading N-P senior Caleb Ulrichs passes away

Outdoors

Winter trout stocking begins Jan. 12

Chris Baldus

IDNR news release The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release trout in seven locations this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months. These winter stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A family friendly event is paired with most of the stockings to help anglers have success and fun while fishing. The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler … Continue reading Winter trout stocking begins Jan. 12

Floyd County

Floyd County Extension and Outreach January 2019 Calendar

Chris Baldus

Thursday, January 3, 2019 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Commercial Manure Applicator Certification   Charles City Tuesday, January 8, 2019 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM   Clover Kids – Charles City   Charles City Wednesday, January 9, 2019 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM   Private Pesticide Applicator Training   Nashua 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM   Pick A Better Snack – Nora Springs   Nora Springs Thursday, January 10, 2019 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM   Pick A Better Snack – IC   Charles City 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM   Floyd County Extension Organizational Meeting   Charles City Monday, January 14, 2019 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM   Charles City Clover Kids   Charles City 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM   Better Kid Care – … Continue reading Floyd County Extension and Outreach January 2019 Calendar

Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: All I want for Christmas is a walleye

Chris Baldus

So, you want to catch a fish for Christmas. Here are the latest fishing reports from the Iowa DNR for Northeast Iowa. Cedar River (above Nashua) Check ice depths often, especially where there is current. Flows remain high. Go with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Backwaters have 4 inches of ice. Anglers are catching a variety of fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or colored spike. Yellow Perch – Slow: Catch perch up to 10 inches on a waxworm. Bounce a jig off the bottom for … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: All I want for Christmas is a walleye