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
COLUMNS

State budget puts corporate welfare above schools, health

Chris Baldus

By Rep. Todd Prichard I’ve been catching up on my local newspaper reading lately.  Two stories caught my eye. I read a piece about a Charles City woman who can’t receive the services she needs to maintain herself in her home due to cuts forced by her Managed Care Provider. The other article focused on how the Charles City Community School District is now dealing with a $500,000 budget cut next year. Both of these stories are interrelated, they share a common theme. And that is that the state budget and the lack of state support for basic health care services and education directly … Continue reading State budget puts corporate welfare above schools, health

Rockford

Rockford blood drive is March 9

Chris Baldus

The RRMR High School and Community Blood Drive is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 9, in the RRMR High School Gymnasium, 1460 210th Street To make an appointment, contact Chelsey Moen at 641-756-3813 or visit: http://www.lifeservebloodcenter.org Continue reading Rockford blood drive is March 9

Charles City

‘Open 4 Business’ contest now open

Chris Baldus

CC Community Revitalization news release CHARLES CITY — Do you have a great business idea?  Have you always wanted to own a business in downtown Charles City?  Is your current business planning to expand services or add a new product line?  Do you have a piece of equipment you wish you could purchase for your business? The Business Improvement Committee of Community Revitalization is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to launch or grow their business idea within the Charles City Main Street district.  The Open 4 Business contest, launched in 2015, is an opportunity for businesses located … Continue reading ‘Open 4 Business’ contest now open

Outdoors

Fishing Report: Stay off Cedar River ice, look for deep water

Chris Baldus

If you are looking to catch some fish on the Cedar River above Nashua, stay off the ice and look for deep slack water along the shore, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources weekly fishing report: Cedar River (above Nashua) Unsafe ice conditions. Water levels are up from snow melt and clarity is marginal. Bluegill – Fair: Find fish in slack water out of current. Stumps, brush piles, and deep holes hold fish. Use small jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms. Black Crappie – Fair: Find fish in 8-10 feet of water. Use minnows, waxworms, and multi-colored spikes on a teardrop … Continue reading Fishing Report: Stay off Cedar River ice, look for deep water

Charles City

Charles City’s Chickfest quickly approaching

Chris Baldus

CC Chamber news release Make plans to get your chicks together for a special shopping experience and day of fun in Charles City! Local retailers will be showcasing new spring inventory, personal service, fun products and people, and more during the annual Chickfest promotion on April 7, 2018. Celebrate the arrival of spring and check out all that Charles City has to offer while enjoying a day of shopper pampering. In addition, the first 150 people through the door of the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce at 401 North Main St. will receive a free swag bag with coupons … Continue reading Charles City’s Chickfest quickly approaching

Outdoors

Memorial Day weekend camping reservation window is open

Chris Baldus

Iowa DNR news release If you like to camp during Memorial Day weekend, the three-month window to reserve a state park campsite for a Friday arrival is now open.Those weekend dates are Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28.New for the 2018 season, 75 percent of available campsites at each park can be reserved through the online reservation site; the remaining 25 percent are available first-come first-serve at the park.When visiting the reservation site, please note any closures or renovations taking place at each park. Five campgrounds will be closed for the entire 2018 summer camping season for upgrades and renovations. Those parks will still … Continue reading Memorial Day weekend camping reservation window is open

Outdoors

Fishing report: Drop a minnow in Cedar River for crappies

Chris Baldus

It’s cold out, so it’s time to go fishing. Here is the Iowa Department of Natural Resources weekly report on some area fishing holes: Cedar River (above Nashua) Ice conditions may change fast with warmer temperatures. Backwaters have about 20 inches of ice. Use caution when going on ice. Check ice depths often. The bite is variable. Bluegill – Slow: Find fish in slack water out of current. Stumps, brush piles, and deep holes hold fish. Use small jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms. Black Crappie – Fair: Find fish in 8-10 feet water. Use minnows, waxworms, and multi-colored spikes on a teardrop shaped bladed … Continue reading Fishing report: Drop a minnow in Cedar River for crappies

Calendar, Charles City

Only a handful of tickets remain for Murder Mystery Dinner

Chris Baldus

NEWS RELEASE CHARLES CITY – Time is running out for the unsuspecting “victim” of the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 24th … and for those interested in attending this fun event who don’t have their tickets yet. Only a handful of tickets remain available for Saturday’s event at the Floyd County Fairgrounds Youth Enrichment Center, which will serve as the annual Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce dinner and auction. In addition to a prime rib dinner catered by Dave’s Restaurant and an opportunity to bid on fabulous items in the silent and live auctions, participants will be … Continue reading Only a handful of tickets remain for Murder Mystery Dinner

Comets

Comet boys and girls take second at State Bowling Tournament

Chris Baldus

WATERLOO — Charles City High School’s bowling teams took second on Monday at State in Class 1A.Thirty-one pins separated the Comet boys from the state champion West Delaware team. The final totals were West Delaware 3,179, Charles City 3,148.Bowling for Charles City were Hunter Brockney, Kaleb Ross, Cade Schmidt, Nathan Shultz, Dawson Solomon and Noah Reams.The Comet girls, with a final total of 2,786, took second to Louisa-Muscatine at 2,827. Bowling for Charles City were seniors Baili Girkin, Macy Ross, Falyn Knecht, Aryah Nelson, Katie Sickman, and junior Madison Ross. Continue reading Comet boys and girls take second at State Bowling Tournament

Outdoors

Ornamental and turfgrass applicators course offered March 7

Chris Baldus

ISU EXTENSION NEWS RELEASE Floyd County will offer the Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, March 7, 2018. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) team. The local attendance site is at the Floyd County Extension Office. The course runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before March 7 and $45 after March 7. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the Floyd County Extension office by phoning … Continue reading Ornamental and turfgrass applicators course offered March 7

Comets, Huskies

Wrestling State Tournament: Huskie wrestling for 3rd; 2 Comets aim for 7th

Chris Baldus

DES MOINES — The highest finish possible for area wrestlers at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament is third place. Brock Dietz of Nashua-Plainfield will wrestle for that on Saturday in the 106 pound bracket of Class 1A. In the opening round, Dietz defeated Jose Flores of Sibley by a 7-5 decision and then in the second Cael Cassady of MSM by fall at 3:56. Jaymus Earl Wilson of Alburnett defeated him in the semifinals by a 6-0 decision. Two Charles City Comets are wrestling for 7th place in rematches against their opening round opponents. In the Class 2A … Continue reading Wrestling State Tournament: Huskie wrestling for 3rd; 2 Comets aim for 7th

COLUMNS

Capitol Comments: Food shaming, child support bills advance

Chris Baldus

By Rep. Todd Prichard Greetings from the 2018 legislative session. This week marks the first important deadline of the session, known as the first funnel. If a bill does not pass out of a standing committee, it is dead for the year. I am happy to report that I was able to pass two of my own bills before the deadline. One is a bill to prevent food shaming in schools (HSB660) and the other addresses the collection of back child support (HF2040). While I am proud of the fact that I was able to shepherd these bill through the … Continue reading Capitol Comments: Food shaming, child support bills advance

Charles City

Smith/Winterink Building listed among ‘Most Endangered Properties’ in Iowa

Chris Baldus

News Release from Mark Wicks, Community Development Director CHARLES CITY – A historic cornerstone building in downtown Charles City has been named to the “Most Endangered Properties” list by a state preservation organization. The Dr. J.W. Smith Building at 201-203 North Main St., also known as the Winterink Building, was the first of the properties announced for inclusion on the Most Endangered list this year by Preservation Iowa. The organization is announcing one accepted property a day on its Facebook page until the list is complete. To date three other properties have also been announced, in Red Oak, Jackson County … Continue reading Smith/Winterink Building listed among ‘Most Endangered Properties’ in Iowa

Obituaries

Longtime NIACC nursing instructor Sharon Phearman, dies at 77; funeral is Saturday, Feb. 17

Chris Baldus

Sharon Phearman Date Of Birth: June 4, 1940 Date Of Death: February 10, 2018 Service Date: Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Messiah Lutheran Church Gathering of family and friends Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Messiah Lutheran Church Sharon P. Phearman, age 77, died on Saturday, February 10, 2018, in Victoria, Minnesota, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born June 4, 1940, in Mason City, Iowa, to Clyde and Mary (Hert) Lincicum. Sharon graduated from Mason City High School in 1958 and St. Olaf College in 1962 with a nursing degree. She worked … Continue reading Longtime NIACC nursing instructor Sharon Phearman, dies at 77; funeral is Saturday, Feb. 17

Obituaries

Funeral for Craig Schmidt is Friday, Feb. 16

Chris Baldus

“Comet” Craig Schmidt Date Of Birth: December 11, 1953 Date Of Death: February 11, 2018 Service Date: A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February, 16, 2018 A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the service on Friday “Comet” Craig Martin Schmidt, the son of Martin and Hazel (Schaer) Schmidt, was born December 11, 1953 in Waverly, Iowa. Craig graduated from Charles City High School in 1972. He was known for playing football and being a runner. He earned his nickname “Comet” from high school. Craig married Pamela Cheney on August 11, 1978 … Continue reading Funeral for Craig Schmidt is Friday, Feb. 16