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
Nashua Post

WF gives N-P a scare, but Huskies win at home

Chris Baldus

West Fork batters took what Nashua-Plainfield pitchers gave up and erased a 5-run deficit over the 4th and 5th innings Wednesday at Stan Burkle Field. The Huskies came to the plate in the bottom of the 6th tied 9-9. N-P rebuilt a 2-run cushion when Wyatt Bouillon hit a run-scoring double and then scored on a line drive by Landon Pratt. Eli Kalainoff, pitching in relief, shut down West Fork in the 7th to get the 11-9 win. This story will be updated when statistics are available. Continue reading WF gives N-P a scare, but Huskies win at home

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors

DNR issues air quality advisory through Wednesday

Chris Baldus

IOWA DNR NEWS RELEASE DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory for the entire state with the worst air quality expected in the eastern third of Iowa. Eastern Iowa is currently recording fine particulates at concentrations the EPA considers unhealthy. At this level sensitive groups of people, as well as the general public, may experience health effects. Fine particulate levels near or above EPA health standards are expected to increase throughout the day and persist in these areas through tomorrow. Elevated levels of fine particulates may be a concern over the next several days as the … Continue reading DNR issues air quality advisory through Wednesday

Charles City Post

CC sweeps Waukon at home

Chris Baldus

Charles City’s bats were explosive in game 1. They were dramatic in game 2. The Comets swept their home doubleheader in Monday against Waukon, 15-8 and 5-4, improving their season record to 14-16. Waukon is now 15-16. In the early game, Malachi O’Brian had three hits, including a home run and a double. He drove in 5 runs. Kayden Blunt had 4 RBIs off two hits, a single and a home run Lincoln Joslin drove in 3 runs while connecting for four hits. He also got the win as the starting pitcher. In the second game, the Comets didn’t score … Continue reading CC sweeps Waukon at home

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (June 26): Of rain, haze and standings

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Monday, June 26, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST Today: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight: Widespread haze before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. ••• TODAY’S COMMUNITY EVENTS Campfire Cooking & Sand Volleyball Camp, 8 a.m. to … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (June 26): Of rain, haze and standings

Nashua Post

UPDATED: Water Over the Dam Days parade postponed until noon, rain falls on drought-stricken county

Chris Baldus

Technically, you can call rain water that’s over the dam. However, while Water Over the Dam Days is good for a parade, that water is not. The WODD parade today has been postponed until noon because of the wind and the rain passing through. The rain is welcome, though. Chickasaw is experiencing severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. The scale has two more steps above that level: extreme and exceptional. Roughly 32% of the state is in the same beached boat. The Nashua Public Library has changed its plans because of the parade delay “The library is open … Continue reading UPDATED: Water Over the Dam Days parade postponed until noon, rain falls on drought-stricken county

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (June 24): Of expected rain, prep softball playoff pairings and WODD

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Saturday, June 24, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST Today: A 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny through mid morning, then becoming cloudy, with a high near 86. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight: A 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Low around 63. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Sunday: An 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. Breezy, with a west wind … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (June 24): Of expected rain, prep softball playoff pairings and WODD

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (June 24)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Saturday, June 24, 2023 WEATHER FORECAST Saturday — A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Saturday night — A 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 64. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday — A 70% chance of showers, possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 21 mph. … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (June 24)

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (June 23): Huskies baseball rallies, WODD continued and rain in the forecast

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, June 23, 2023. Tonight — Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. WEATHER FORECAST Today — Increasing clouds, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Saturday — A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m, then showers likely and possibly thunderstorms, Otherwise mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. ••• SPORTS Husky heroics win baseball game in Osage Nashua-Plainfield baseball … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (June 23): Huskies baseball rallies, WODD continued and rain in the forecast

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (June 22): WODD begins tonight

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, June 22, 2023. WEATHER UPDATE Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 6 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 6 mph. ••• SPORTS N-P, Saint Ansgar baseball split season series The scales are balanced, to a degree. On Wednesday, a pair of Saints pitchers struck out 15 batters while hosting and shutting out Nashua-Plainfield, 4-0. When the Saints visited N-P on May 31, Huskies pitcher Dawson Glaser hurled a seven-strikeout 7-0 victory. … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (June 22): WODD begins tonight

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (June 22)

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Thursday, June 22, 2023. WEATHER FORECAST Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Source: National Weather Service ••• Oelwein softball wins in Maynard It was a bookend type of win for Oelwein softball Wednesday in Maynard. The Huskies scored 1 run in the opening inning and 4 more in the final frame, the seventh, to win 5-0 over West Central. … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (June 22)

Nashua Post

Huskies squeeze out win over A-P

Chris Baldus

Nashua-Plainfield’s knack for getting out of jams seemed to be expiring. The Huskies entered the top of the 7th at Stan Burkle Field Tuesday evening with a 4-0 lead. Reliever Nic Brase returned to the mound after extinguishing a Falcon threat in the 6th, preserving starter Eli Kalainoff’s shutout. After getting the lead-off batter to fly out to left, everything went awry. A single, an infield error, a pitch in the dirt bouncing off the catcher’s mask and a base on balls put A-P in position to tie the game. With two outs, the Falcons tried to steal home. They … Continue reading Huskies squeeze out win over A-P

Nashua Post

N-P wins 12th of season, 11-1

Chris Baldus

You can’t start any faster. One pitch. One hit. One run. For the second-time this season, Nashua-Plainfield lead off hitter Eli Kalainoff opened a game with a solo home run. On Monday, he sent the first Central Springs pitch over Stan Burkle Field’s centerfield fence. The Huskies (12-4) went on to beat the Panthers (4-13) 11-1 in six innings in a rebound from Friday’s 9-0 road loss to conference leader Newman Catholic, Tucker Franzen got the win by striking out seven and giving up only three singles. He walked one batter and hit one. Video highlights It was a big … Continue reading N-P wins 12th of season, 11-1

Nashua Post

Nashua AM Update (June 19, 2023): Water Over the Dam Days begins Thursday; Huskies play at home tonight

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Monday, June 19, 2023 — Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. WEATHER FORECAST Today — Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Tonight — Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Tuesday — Sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph. ••• COMMUNITY EVENTS TODAY ••• NASHUA-PLAINFIELD SPORTS TODAY ••• WODD THIS WEEKEND Nashua’s community celebration Water Over the Dam Days starts Thursday night and wraps up Sunday morning. Click here for … Continue reading Nashua AM Update (June 19, 2023): Water Over the Dam Days begins Thursday; Huskies play at home tonight

Charles City Post, Nashua Post, Oelwein Post, Outdoors

Iowa DNR Fishing Forecast (June 15, 2023)

Chris Baldus

For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. Cedar River (above Nashua) Water levels are stable, but low. Use caution accessing some boat ramps. Water temperatures are in the 70s. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a dead chub or stink baits fished in slack water areas.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing eddies and current breaks.  Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or worm below dams. Try using a 3-way with enough weight to keep it on the bottom. Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Cedar River level has … Continue reading Iowa DNR Fishing Forecast (June 15, 2023)

Oelwein Post

Fayette County Sheriff’s Report (June 12-15)

Chris Baldus

This report is compiled from Fayette County Sheriff’s Office news releases. Decorah man arrested on sex crime charges On Tuesday, June 13, a Fayette County deputy arrested Lawrence Robbins, 38, of Decorah, on two counts of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor.  Robbins was transported to the Fayette County Jail and held on a $25,000 bond.  The Decorah Police Department assisted.    New Hampton man arrested after crash  At 8:44 a.m., Monday, June 12, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a 911 call about a two-vehicle accident two miles west of West Union on Hwy 18 in the … Continue reading Fayette County Sheriff’s Report (June 12-15)

Nashua Post

VIDEO: N-P baseball overpowers Janesville, 8-3

Chris Baldus

JANESVILLE — The haze in the air was not Nashua-Plainfield’s fault, despite the Husky bats catching fire in the 6th inning. No, it’s still smoke coming down from Canadian forest fires. The red-hot Huskies (11-3) won their fourth game in a row Thursday night in Janesville, 8-3. The Wildcats (8-6) had defeated N-P in their last two matchups, in 2022 and 2020. N-P’s Bo Harrington pitched six innings and struck out 13 to get the win. Nic Brase took over in the 7th to get the save. N-P led all the way. Tucker Franzen hit a run-scoring double in the … Continue reading VIDEO: N-P baseball overpowers Janesville, 8-3