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
Outdoors

Time to start pre-application process for DNR grants to help improve local lakes, rivers and streams

Chris Baldus

From DNR’s EcoNewsWire, 12/13/2018 “DES MOINES — The DNR is now accepting pre-application questionnaires for grant funding that helps locally-led groups develop water quality improvement efforts in Iowa communities. Offered by the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program, Watershed Planning Grants help local groups passionate about improving water quality create a nine-element Watershed Management Plan, which identifies problems in the watershed and proposes solutions for better water quality. Making changes in the watershed (the land that drains to a lake, river or stream) can reduce pollution reaching our waters. Those selected through the pre-application process will then be invited to apply for … Continue reading Time to start pre-application process for DNR grants to help improve local lakes, rivers and streams

Charles City

Charles City advertising for youth services librarian applicants

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Public Library is seeking a full-time Youth Services Librarian.  The Youth Services Librarian must possess a knowledge and appreciation for children’s literature and be comfortable with children of all ages and their caregivers.  Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, communication, and public relation skills, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office software are essential. Responsibilities include: planning and implementing all youth programming, including the Summer Reading Program, story times, book clubs, and class visits; selecting and ordering books for children and teens under the supervision of the Library Director, keeping the children’s room area in good order, weeding books … Continue reading Charles City advertising for youth services librarian applicants

Charles City

Sunday’s CC Holiday Home Tour times extended

Chris Baldus

News Release CHARLES CITY – With seven stops to choose from on this year’s holiday home tour, attendees are being given an extra hour to enjoy this Charles City tradition on Sunday, December 9th. The public now has from 12:30-4:30 p.m. to take in the festive and unique holiday décor of six different residences around town, as well as the Festival of Trees, during the 2018 “There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays Home Tour.” This is a change from the original 1-4 p.m. tour time. Organized by the Design Committee of Community Revitalization, the holiday home tour will … Continue reading Sunday’s CC Holiday Home Tour times extended

Calendar, Charles City, Floyd County

Holidazzle will shine bright in Charles City Friday, Nov. 30

Chris Baldus

 News Release CHARLES CITY – Embrace the magic of the holidays on Friday, November 30th, with a new twist on a Charles City winter tradition. Community Revitalization’s annual Holiday Lighted Parade will again light up the night in downtown Charles City at 6 p.m. and herald in the arrival of Santa and debut of the Santa House in Central Park from 6:30-8 p.m. However, this year’s offerings have been expanded as part of the new “Holidazzle” celebration, adding carolers, hot cocoa, treats, a Candy Cane Hunt, shopping and special dining options. A tractor-drawn holiday hayride will be available to shuttle … Continue reading Holidazzle will shine bright in Charles City Friday, Nov. 30

Charles City, Floyd County

Five Elected to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Floyd County Council

Chris Baldus

From the ISU Extension Five Floyd County residents were elected to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Floyd County Council in the Nov. 6th general election. The new members are Jay Jung, Charles City; and Ryan Venz, Charles City.  Julie Knecht, Charles City;  Ben Rottinghaus, Charles City; and Sue Sedgwick, Charles City are members of the county extension council and were re-elected to a new four-year term. They will join current county extension council members Jacie Garden, Charles City; Karol Carpenter, Charles City; Bob Mondt, Charles City; and Valerie Bodensteiner, Marble Rock. The new members will replace Bill Mead … Continue reading Five Elected to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Floyd County Council

Charles City, Floyd County

Regional transit service will start Nov. 26

Chris Baldus

By the city of Charles City Starting November 26, Charles City Transit will be adding transit service to Mason City.  The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, same as the local service. There will be three separate trips to Mason City daily with departure times set at 7:30, 10:30 and 2 p.m. These need to be reserved 24 hours in advance by calling 641-715-1314. The Charles City transit bus will only take you to and from Mason City. If you need to make several stops in Mason City, you have to call the … Continue reading Regional transit service will start Nov. 26

Calendar, Floyd County

Floyd County Extension and Outreach December 2018 Calendar

Chris Baldus

Saturday, Dec. 1 9-11 AM   Wreath-Making Workshop   Charles City Monday, Dec. 3 1-2:30 PM   Planning Ahead   Charles City Tuesday, Dec. 4 5:30-8:30 PM   Women Marketing Grain   Nashua  (continuation) Wednesday, Dec. 5 9 AM to 11:30 PM   Pest Control Operators   Charles City Thursday, Dec. 6 12:30 – 1:30 PM   Pick A Better Snack – IC   Charles City Friday, Dec. 7 8:45-11:45 AM   Pick A Better Snack – Washington 1st graders   Charles City Saturday, Dec. 8 9 AM to noon  Beef Weigh-In   Ionia Monday, Dec. 10 1-2:30 PM   Planning Ahead   Charles City Tuesday, Dec. 11 2 -2:30 PM   Pick A Better Snack – Nora Springs   Nora Springs Tuesday, Dec. 18 2:15 – 2:45 PM   Pick A Better … Continue reading Floyd County Extension and Outreach December 2018 Calendar

Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Find walleyes in deeper pockets of Cedar River

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa DNR > Cedar River (above Nashua) > Water levels are stabilizing with excellent water clarity. Flows remain high. Backwaters are starting to freeze. Ice fishing is not recommended. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in pockets and deeper water. Fish are taking a variety of bright colored lures or jigs tipped with worms or minnows. Smallmouth Bass -Slow: Use a slow presentation with a small spinnerbait. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike are aggressively taking lures tipped with minnows. > Decorah District Streams > Iowa’s trout season stays open all year long; many catchable size trout stay in the streams to … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Find walleyes in deeper pockets of Cedar River

Charles City

CC looking to add bus route to Mason City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City Council at its Wednesday, Nov.14, planning meeting will discuss adding a public transit bus route to Mason City. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Below is the agenda report to the council from City Administrator Steve Diers: City transit has now been up and running for just over three months. Over the last several weeks we’ve been discussing the idea of incorporating county service that would add a transit bus to the current operation that would be used to offer service to Mason City. Floyd county would be able to compensate … Continue reading CC looking to add bus route to Mason City

Outdoors

Man run over while setting up deer blinds for veterans hunt

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR JASPER COUNTY, Iowa – At approximately 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, November 10, a man was run over by a Polaris Ranger at the Reichelt Unit Area while setting up hunting blinds for a veteran’s deer hunt. James Whitson, 58, was run over when David Drew, 72, was backing the Polaris Ranger up to a trailer. Whitson was located between the trailer and the Ranger when Drew pushed the accelerator instead of the brake. Whitson was transported to Methodist Medical Center by helicopter and the extent of his injuries are unknown. The investigation is on-going by the Iowa Department … Continue reading Man run over while setting up deer blinds for veterans hunt

Charles City

Hometown Scavenger Hunt set for Oct. 8-19

Chris Baldus

News Release CHARLES CITY — Ok all you amateur detectives … how well do you know your hometown? Take the Hometown Scavenger Hunt challenge in October and test your knowledge of Charles City as well as your ability to figure out the clues for a chance to win prize money … and have some fun in the process. Presented by the Design Committee of Community Revitalization, this event will serve as a fundraiser to benefit downtown beautification efforts in Charles City. The Scavenger Hunt will take place October 8-19th, with the winners to be announced on October 21st at a … Continue reading Hometown Scavenger Hunt set for Oct. 8-19

Charles City, Floyd County

Floyd County sees tourism spending increase

Chris Baldus

News Release CHARLES CITY — The Iowa Tourism Office released new data showing tourism-related expenditures in the state reached $8.5 billion in 2017, a 3.3 percent increase over 2016. Travel-generated expenditures in Floyd County totaled $18.97 million, an increase of 1.88 percent over 2016. Additional data from “The Economic Impact of Travel on Iowa Counties” shows travel-generated state tax receipts at a record $507.1 million. Tourism in Iowa also supported 69,600 jobs, comprising 4.4 percent of total state non-farm employment in 2017. The tourism industry employs 120 people in Floyd County. “Tourism brings people to Floyd County year-round,” commented Ginger … Continue reading Floyd County sees tourism spending increase

Bearcats, Comets, Huskies, Sports, Warriors

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCORES: Oct. 12

Chris Baldus

Football scoreboard for Friday, Oct. 12 AREA SCORES CLASS 3A District 3 Decorah 48, Waterloo, East 0 Waverly-Shell Rock 27, Independence 0 West Delaware, Manchester 69, Charles City 28 CLASS 2A District 3 Clear Lake 42, New Hampton 7 Crestwood, Cresco 41, Hampton-Dumont 13 Iowa Falls-Alden 42, Forest City 15 CLASS 1A District 4 Central Springs 30, South Winneshiek, Calmar 29 Nashua-Plainfield 2, Starmont 0 (Forfeit) Newman Catholic, Mason City 41, Saint Ansgar 26 North Tama, Traer 53, Postville 0 ( non-district) CLASS A District 3 Aplington-Parkersburg 21, Sumner-Fredericksburg 6 Denver 43, North Butler 14 Osage 42, Lake Mills 30 … Continue reading FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCORES: Oct. 12

Floyd County

Update: Greene woman dies in Hwy. 18 collision

Chris Baldus

MASON CITY — A 78-year-old Greene, Iowa, woman died Monday after a crash on Highway 18 near Mile Marker 190, which is on the southeast side of Mason City. Darlene Ann Kiefer was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Iowa State Patrol crash report updated Tuesday morning. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1988 Buick Century driven by Kiefer was traveling east in the westbound lane of Highway 18 before 11:30 a.m. Monday. It collided nearly head on with a 2018 Ford Transit Van that was headed west in the westbound lane. Mason City Fire and EMS … Continue reading Update: Greene woman dies in Hwy. 18 collision