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

FISHING REPORT: Good time for trout

Chris Baldus

From 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 Clear Lake is about 75 percent ice free. The boat ramp at city beach is accessible. Shell Rock River (above Greene) River levels are up. Try fishing the slack water areas below a dam with live bait. Cedar River (above Nashua) Water clarity is poor. Water levels are stable, but will rise with snow melt. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Decorah District Streams Catchable trout are … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Good time for trout

Charles City Schools

No school in CC Friday; teachers and police to drill

Chris Baldus

CC School District news release CHARLES CITY — Friday, April 20, is a professional development day for teachers in the Charles City School District. There is no school for students on Friday. Also, please be aware the Charles City Community School District will be working with the Charles City Police Department in each of the Charles City Community School District buildings throughout the day on Friday. Continue reading No school in CC Friday; teachers and police to drill

Outdoors

Delay mowing of roadside ditches to protect ground nesting birds, pollinators

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release Iowa law prohibits mowing roadside ditches each year between March 15 and July 15, to protect ground nesting birds and to prevent nest destruction. Roadside ditches, while not optimal habitat, can be the only grassy habitat available in certain areas of the state for ground nesting birds. As spring progresses, ground nesting birds, like eastern and western meadowlarks, Dickcissels, field and song sparrows, quail, gray partridge and pheasants, will use these marginal areas to incubate eggs and rear their young. The vegetation is also important to pollinators collecting nectar and for milkweed development that is critical … Continue reading Delay mowing of roadside ditches to protect ground nesting birds, pollinators

Charles City

Lindaman guilty, again, but of a lesser crime

Chris Baldus

MASON CITY — With help from the Iowa Supreme Court, the state Attorney General’s Office, and an avalanche of his own court filings, Charles City’s Doug Lindaman, 62, has managed to get a felony conviction replaced with an aggravated misdemeanor verdict despite two juries ruling against him. The latest verdict arrived Wednesday in his third trial over alleged sexual abuse in 2011 of a 17-year-old he hired to do farm work. Jurors chose to convict Lindaman of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. He was originally charged with felony third-degree sexual abuse. It’s yet to be seen whether he … Continue reading Lindaman guilty, again, but of a lesser crime

Charles City Schools, Comets, Floyd County, Nashua

THE POST for Tuesday, April 17, 2018: Soccer, Prom and Jail

Chris Baldus

Good morning. Welcome to an experiment in local news. By clicking on the link below, you will open an 11-by-17 inch PDF of The Post, a local, independent e-newspaper. Readers can digest it online or print it out. Future issues will have additional pages, depending on the response. Post 1 Continue reading THE POST for Tuesday, April 17, 2018: Soccer, Prom and Jail

Calendar, Charles City Schools

10 things to know about the CCHS Prom on Saturday, April 21

Chris Baldus

  CHARLES CITY — The Charles City High School Junior and Senior Prom begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with the Grand March. Here is a rundown of what you need to know: The theme is “Night of a Thousand Lights.” The Prom King and Queen will be crowned the Grand March. The King candidates are Cade Hemesath, Elliott Gebel, Tyreque Baker, Ryan Wolfe and Elias King. The Queen candidates are Sydney Loeckle, Makayla Nierling, Marissa Deeter, Rylee Hageman and Mackenzie Wilson. The Grand March will be Saturday, April 21, in Comet Gymnasium (formerly known as the new competition gym), 1200 1st … Continue reading 10 things to know about the CCHS Prom on Saturday, April 21

Outdoors

Registrations open for popular outdoor workshop for girls

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release Iowa’s popular Outdoor Journey for Girls workshop is now accepting reservations. The workshop will be held July 10-12 at Hickory Hills, southwest of La Porte City, and Aug. 1-3 at Clover Woods Camp and Retreat, northwest of Madrid. Outdoor Journey for Girls is a three-day, two-night workshop aimed at introducing outdoor skills to girls ages 12–15 in a supportive, learning environment where they have hands on opportunities to try new experiences. Outdoor skills offered include canoeing and water safety, fish and wildlife identification, archery, firearm safety, basic shooting, furbearers, furharvesting, fishing, preparing the catch, conservation and … Continue reading Registrations open for popular outdoor workshop for girls

Outdoors

Access the Floyd County Conservation spring newsletter here

Chris Baldus

The spring 2018 edition of the Floyd County Conservation newsletter is available. Click here to see an electronic edition. The Conservationist includes articles from Conservation staff, event announcements and a registration sheet for the May 5 Tosanak 5K Trail Run/Walk. Floyd County Conservation Director Adam Sears writes about a milestone for the Conservation Board. “In July of 1958, Floyd County began doing something new. The first meeting of the Floyd County Conservation Board (FCCB) was held at the Floyd County Courthouse,” he began. “This year, 2018 is a milestone year for the FCCB, putting the department at 60 years of … Continue reading Access the Floyd County Conservation spring newsletter here

Comets

First two games teach CCHS soccer key lessons

Chris Baldus

Full audio report:  WAVERLY — This first season of high school soccer is a learning experience for Charles City players, coaches and fans alike. Tuesday was full of lessons to build on as the Comets prepare for their next game, which is Thursday against Garner-Hayfield/Ventura. Tuesday’s game against Waverly-Shell Rock was originally scheduled to be at Comet Stadium, which remains under a blanket of snow. Charles City received 3 1/2 more inches of snow Sunday. It was moved to Waverly, where the Go-Hawks broke out the shovels and cleared a field, said Waverly-Shell Rock athletic director Dave Litterer, who congratulated … Continue reading First two games teach CCHS soccer key lessons

Calendar, Charles City

IC Spring Luncheon and Card Party set for April 25

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Immaculate Conception Spring Salad Luncheon and Card Party is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Columbus Club, 502 Clark St., Charles City. Hot and cold salads, deviled eggs, desserts and drink will be served. The cost is $8, and carry-outs are available. Card games (500 and bridge) will begin at 12:30 p.m. Continue reading IC Spring Luncheon and Card Party set for April 25

Comets

Test drive a Ford April 28 to raise money for Comet sports

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY —Test drive a Ford and raise $20 for Charles City school district athletics. Mike Molstead Motors is hosting the Ford Drive 4 UR School event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 28. The free event will raise money for the Charles City Athletic Booster Club and the Charles City Middle School at an event later this month. Take a 15-minute preview drive in a brand new Ford vehicle along with an event volunteers. Continue reading Test drive a Ford April 28 to raise money for Comet sports

Nashua

Snow expected to begin Sunday, mess with Monday morning commute

Chris Baldus

A winter weather advisory that includes Chickasaw, Floyd and Mitchell counties will be in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday. Another 2 to 4 inches of spring snow will fall across southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. Some travel impacts can be expected, especially Sunday night into the Monday morning commute. Plan on slippery road conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. Near-record cold weather is also possible tonight (Saturday). Below are the forecast and record low temperatures for Sunday morning (April 8) from the National Weather Service.   April is … Continue reading Snow expected to begin Sunday, mess with Monday morning commute

Nashua

April 30 Pizza Ranch fundraiser to benefit Nashua police

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa — Show your support for the community educational programs of  the Nashua Police Department on Monday, April 30, at a fundraiser at Pizza Ranch in Waverly. Dine in between 5-8 p.m. and Pizza Ranch will donate a percentage of sales to the department. Volunteers will bus tables to earn additional donations. Continue reading April 30 Pizza Ranch fundraiser to benefit Nashua police

Nashua

Dance to Farm Rock at tonight’s Nashua Fireman’s Ball

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa — You still have time to get to the Nashua Fireman’s Ball tonight (April 7). The dance is from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Nashua Town & Country Club (2898 Asherton Ave.). Farm Rock will perform live. The band was formed in 2011 as a top 40 country rock act, according to its website. It’s next performances will be April 14 in Sutherland and April 20 in Aplington. Admission is $10. The Fireman’s Ball is one of two annual fundraisers put on by the volunteer department. A four-person best shot golf tournament is held the first Saturday … Continue reading Dance to Farm Rock at tonight’s Nashua Fireman’s Ball

Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Try slack water on the Shell Rock River

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR It’s been cold lately, and some ice has reformed on area waters, but walleyes are biting well on the Cedar River in the Charles City area, according to the latest Iowa DNR fishing reports. River levels are up on the Shell Rock River above Greene. Try fishing the slack water areas below a dam with live bait, the DNR says. With the recent cold snap, skim ice is covering backwaters or the Cedar River above Nashua. Impoundments are fishing well. For walleye, fish below the dams with a variety of baits for a pre-spawn walleye. A jig tipped with … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Try slack water on the Shell Rock River

COLUMNS

Prichard: Republicans mismanaging state finances

Chris Baldus

By Rep. Todd Prichard Capitol Comments Column, April 6 Since the last time I wrote, the budget de-appropriation bill was introduced, passed and signed into law by the governor. This is the second year in a row that the Legislature and governor have made cuts to the current year’s budget more than halfway through the fiscal year. In other words, this marks two years of mismanagement of our state by the governor’s administration. This failure is obvious when state agencies and educational institutions do not have consistent budgets, and when revenue runs short despite a strong economy and low unemployment. The … Continue reading Prichard: Republicans mismanaging state finances

Outdoors

Annual spring wildlife survey underway

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release Ordinarily, a slow moving vehicle at night in the Iowa countryside spotlighting deer, raccoons or coyotes would send Iowans to their phone, speed-dialing their local conservation officer, but in this case, it may be the officer doing the shining. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources annual spring spotlight survey is underway with Wildlife and Law Enforcement staff conducting nighttime counts of all furbearing animals, and white-tailed deer. The survey begins in early spring an hour after sunset, preferably on a night with a clear sky, low wind and high humidity. Each county has a preselected route … Continue reading Annual spring wildlife survey underway

Nashua

CC snowfall record for April 3

Chris Baldus

UPDATE (11:22 p.m.) — The record for snowfall on the date April 3 in Charles City was 2.5 inches. That has stood since 1999. Today’s snow piled up to at least 5 inches. • • • UPDATE (6 a.m.) — School in Charles City has been canceled and a winter storm warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4. The National Weather Service says snow will begin falling after 8 a.m. The high temperature is expected to reach 34 degrees, however a northeast wind of 10 to 17 mph will produce gusts as high as 25 mph. Two … Continue reading CC snowfall record for April 3

Outdoors

Fishing reports: It’s time for casting

Chris Baldus

Ice fishing has given way to open water casting in north central Iowa. Here are the latest fishing reports from the Iowa DNR: Cedar River (above Nashua) Open water fishing is around the corner. Large chunks of free-floating ice are causing hazardous boating conditions. Walleye – Good: Use a worm hooked in a worm harness or a jig tipped with twister tail fished below the dams. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers fishing below dams are catching catfish using a big hook loaded with nightcrawlers. Decorah District Streams Catchable trout stocking starts April 2. Gravel roads and parking areas are rough and mushy as the frost … Continue reading Fishing reports: It’s time for casting