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

Northeast Iowa trout stream stocking begins April 2

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release The popular trout stream stocking season starts April 2.  By Saturday, April 7, every stocked stream will have received at least one stocking of 10-12 inch trout. “There are all kinds of opportunities to catch trout,” said Dan Rosauer, Manchester Trout Hatchery Manager.  “Go fishing and have fun!” One of the streams nearest to Charles City is Burr Oak Creek near Osage. Click here for more about Iowa trout streams, including maps. The DNR Trout Program offers Iowa anglers a variety of trout fishing opportunities, including announced catchable stockings, unannounced catchable stockings, fingerling stockings, wild populations, … Continue reading Northeast Iowa trout stream stocking begins April 2

Arts, Charles City Schools

School house rock: CCHS Choirs bring back the 1970’s and 80’s at Pops Concert

Chris Baldus

In the 80s, “groovy” was uncool. “Righteous” music was “rad,” and feathered hair parted in the middle was the style, along with those “decent” white leather Nike sneakers. Oh yeah, Monday night was a major flashback for some of us in the audience in North Grand Auditorium. And when emcees Ryan Wolfe and Joe Iseneker tried out some 80’s slang, it was hard to not burst out with my own. I was in junior high in the 80’s. And, yes, it was a “choice” time, as the dynamic duo put it. The Charles City High School Pops Concert, which was … Continue reading School house rock: CCHS Choirs bring back the 1970’s and 80’s at Pops Concert

Calendar, Rockford2 Comments

Plowday scheduled for April 14 in Rockford

Chris Baldus

ROCKFORD, Iowa — Get your garden tractor ready, Plowday begins at 7 a.m. April 14. According to its Facebook page: “Plowday is a free event that is open to all brands and types of garden tractors. There will be plenty of room for parking for trucks and trailers. Food and drink will be provided by the Rockford Fire Department as a fundraiser for new equipment. “There are hotels in Mason City, Iowa and Charles City, Iowa, each roughly 20 minutes away. “Vendors and swap meet items welcome.” Continue reading Plowday scheduled for April 14 in Rockford

Nashua

Mark April 28-29 to attend The Big 4 Fair Junk in the Trunk antique fair

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The Big 4 Junk in the Trunk antique fair will be April 28-29 at the Big 4 Fairgrounds, 437 Greenwood Ave., Nashua. Admission is $3. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29. There will be food vendors and camping available. Go to http://www.big4fair.net if you would like to learn about being a vendor. Continue reading Mark April 28-29 to attend The Big 4 Fair Junk in the Trunk antique fair

Nashua

Weather to cool a bit today; snow possible

Chris Baldus

As Midwesterners, the blessing of beautiful weather compounds our suspicion something bad is going to happen. It’s like when the Vikings are an inch away from the goal line and it’s only first down. That’s when bad things happen. Well, the weather has been pretty great and could be nice again today (March 20). However, the National Weather Service says the Charles City region has a 20 percent chance of snow and rain mixing around 2 p.m. The likely high temperature is 36 under cloudy skies. The normal high for this date is 46, according to NWS records. Tonight, it … Continue reading Weather to cool a bit today; snow possible

Floyd County

Your Money, Your Future course begins April 2

Chris Baldus

Floyd County Extension news release CHARLES CITY — Life is not about money — but how you manage money impacts your quality of life, your family’s life, and the life of your community. When you have sound information and strong skills, you can make your money work for you and for your future. You can manage your money effectively, make better financial decisions, and live according to your priorities. With sound financial management, you can be more financially secure. Your Money, Your Future is a course provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Floyd County. You’ll learn how … Continue reading Your Money, Your Future course begins April 2

Nashua

Cagley returns to Nashua City Council

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa — Rolland Cagley returned to the Nashua City Council on Monday night. He was appointed to the council to fill out the term of Ryan Jung, who had resigned. According to the city website, Cagley has served multiple terms on the City Council. Cagley lost in a January special election for a pair of two-year terms on the council. Those were filled by former Mayor Angelina Dietz and Harold Kelleher III. —- PREVIOUS STORY — If all goes as far planned, the Nashua City Council will appoint a new member to serve out the remainder of Ryan Jung’s … Continue reading Cagley returns to Nashua City Council

Charles City

Charles City approves $1.85M incentive for Zoetis

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City Council on Monday approved a $1.85 million incentive package to assist Zoetis, Inc. with a $55 million expansion of its local plant. The local incentive is estimated at almost $1.85 million and would come in the form of an eight-year, 90 percent property tax rebate through the Southwest Bypass Tax Increment Financing District. Zoetis has also received state incentives. The expansion is expected to add six jobs at a wage level of $16.83, according to state documents. – – – – – – – PREVIOUS STORY: Zoetis, a global animal health company, is planning a $55 … Continue reading Charles City approves $1.85M incentive for Zoetis

Charles City

Jumpy Monkey coffee sales will support Charles City TLC

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Get your Jumpy Monkey coffee and support Charles City’s community based child care center. Charles City TLC, which provides licensed childcare, announced the fundraiser on its Facebook page. TLC will take orders for the 100 percent Arabica coffee through March 28. “There is even a TLC blend developed just for this event! ($13 for ground and $12.50 for whole bean),” the post said. To place an order, call 228-4525, visit TLC in downtown Charles City or email sue.mcdonald@charlescitytlc.com. Proceeds go to purchase “My Big World w/Clifford” Scholastic Readers. Continue reading Jumpy Monkey coffee sales will support Charles City TLC

Nashua

It’s going to be nice again today

Chris Baldus

Good morning. The Charles City area can look forward to another pleasant day today, March 15, National Shoe the World Day. It’s also only five days away from the Spring equinox, March 20. The National Weather Service forecast says temperatures will climb to 42 degrees under sunny skies today. A northeast wind will blow from 7 to 9 p.m. Temperatures will drop to around 21 degrees tonight with an east wind of 7 to 13 mph. Friday and Saturday’s forecasts include chances of rain and snow. According to NationalDayCalendar.com: “National Shoe The World Day is a day created to bring awareness, … Continue reading It’s going to be nice again today

Outdoors

Ice-out channel catfish are biting

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release Channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and the large reservoirs across Iowa. After eating light during the winter, channel catfish go on a feeding frenzy in early spring cleaning up small fish that died over the winter. When the ice goes off, a winter’s worth of dead forage fish drift into shallow water for channel catfish to devour. Search for actively feeding fish on the windblown shorelines and points where dead fish are piled up and the shallow water warms quickly. Keep the wind in your face and … Continue reading Ice-out channel catfish are biting

Outdoors

Consortium hopes to establish 830,000 acres of monarch butterfly habitat by 2038

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium has set a goal of acres devoted to monarch butterfly habitat in the state by 2038. “The consortium has worked collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan to expand habitat on our agricultural land, urban areas, roadsides, and other public land. We appreciate the many partners that have been involved and are encouraged by the work already underway,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. The updated Iowa Monarch Conservation Strategy  seeks to establish approximately 480,000 to 830,000 acres of monarch habitat by 2038. The strategy — developed by the consortium … Continue reading Consortium hopes to establish 830,000 acres of monarch butterfly habitat by 2038

Calendar, Floyd County

St. Mary Church in Roseville serving pancake breakfast, clock raffle on Sunday, March 18

Chris Baldus

ROSEVILLE, Iowa — Enjoy whole hog sausage patties, pancakes and homemade syrup between 9 a.m. and noon Sunday, March 18, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2395 Hwy. 14, near Marble Rock. The cost is a free-will offering and proceeds will be used to repair the gymnasium floor. There will also be a bake sale and a raffle of a grandfather clock made by Msgr. Brunkan. Raffle tIckets are $1 apiece or six for $5. The drawing will be at 11:30 a.m. Continue reading St. Mary Church in Roseville serving pancake breakfast, clock raffle on Sunday, March 18

Calendar, Floyd County

St. Bernard’s to host St. Patrick dinner March 18

Chris Baldus

ALTA VISTA — St. Bernard’s Church will host its St. Patrick’s Supper from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in the Alta Vista Municipal Hall. The menu includes grilled pork chops, dressing, green beans, potatoes and gravy, cole slaw, rolls and pie. The cost is $10 in advance or $11 at the door for adults and children. Tickets are available from parishioners or these businesses: New Hampton Fareway, Five Star Coop in New Hampton, AV Express in Alta Vista, and People’s Savings Bank in Elma. Continue reading St. Bernard’s to host St. Patrick dinner March 18

Huskies

Nashua-Plainfield golf begins season April 2 in CC

Chris Baldus

The golf season opens for Nashua-Plainfield girls and boys on April 2 in Charles City. Below are the schedules, as well as the possible returning rosters and their 2017 statistics. Girls 2018 roster Megan Cerwinske, senior 2017 varsity stats 9-hole avg.: 55.56; low: 51 18-hole avg.: 109; low: 107 Miranda Crabtree, senior 2017 varsity stats 9-hole avg.: 58.67; low: 51 18-hole avg.: 103.5; low: 99 Nicole Harrington, senior 2017 varsity stats 9-hole avg.: 57.89; low: 50 18-hole avg.: 113; low: 99 Keagan Betsinger, junior 2017 varsity stats 9-hole avg.: 57.89; low: 53 18-hole avg.: 112; low: 112 Abby Poppe, junior … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield golf begins season April 2 in CC

Nashua-Plainfield

N-P schools announce 2-hour late start for Tuesday, March 6

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The latest blast of winter weather will disrupt classes for Nashua-Plainfield students for a second day on Tuesday, March 5.Nashua-Plainfield schools will start two-hours late on Tuesday. The National Weather Service’s forecast for Tuesday warns of more snow before 2 p.m. and then a chance of rain and snow until 4 p.m. Skies will remain cloudy, and the high temp should reach 36. It will also be a breezy day with wind gusts of nearly 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible. Continue reading N-P schools announce 2-hour late start for Tuesday, March 6