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
Calendar, Charles City

Community Revitalization announces New Years Eve Bash

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The New Year’s Eve Bash is 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31, at the Floyd County Fairgrounds Youth Enrichment Center will feature  renown hypnotist Jim Ward and  DJ music.There will be snacks and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 in advance at 401 N. Main in Charles City, $30 at the door. Online tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com (additional service fee) Reserved tables up front available through Gold, Silver or Bronze sponsorships; all other seating is unreserved general admission. This event brought to you by Charles City Community Revitalization. Continue reading Community Revitalization announces New Years Eve Bash

Community

Bayou Bend leads 10-Pin Heaven bowling league 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Nine weeks into the the 32-week season of Comet Bowl’s Wednesday night men’s league, 10-Pin Heaven, Bayou Bend is atop the standings followed by MTE and then Jendro Sanitation. Bayou’s team members are Richard Burham, Mike Ross, Denny Carr, Jeff Wink and John Ayers. Wink has the second highest scratch game of this early season at 279. The top game is a 289 rolled by Jesse Gifford of the Fareway Butchers, which owns the highest scratch series of the season at 3,201 and the highest scratch game at 1,154. Bayou Bend has the season’s best handicap series … Continue reading Bayou Bend leads 10-Pin Heaven bowling league 

R-R-MR

R-R-MR senior class to host Veterans Day program Nov. 10

Chris Baldus

ROCKFORD — The R-R-MR Senior Class of 2018 will host the school’s 17th annual Veterans Day program on Nov. 10. Guests including Floyd County Veterans Affairs Director Maria Deike and Hank Vogelman will be speaking during the program.  The R-R-MR Band and Choir will perform and there will be a short slideshow.  Following the program will be a luncheon provided by the R-R-MR kitchen staff for the veterans who have RSVP’d. Continue reading R-R-MR senior class to host Veterans Day program Nov. 10

Outdoors

Iowa’s furbearer season began Nov. 4

Chris Baldus

IOWA DNR NEWS RELEASE: Iowa’s furbearer season opened Nov. 4, and the outlook for 2017 is good as populations are stable to increasing statewide. Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said that while prospects for a good season are there, the number of participants usually follows the fur market. “When prices are good, we have higher participation. When the market is forecasted to be down, like it is again this year, so is participation. But that lack of competition provides an opportunity to introduce someone new to trapping or someone who’s been out of the … Continue reading Iowa’s furbearer season began Nov. 4

Chickasaw County, Outdoors

DNR checks spill cleanup in Chickasaw County

Chris Baldus

DNR NEWS RELEASE: JERICO – Wednesday, DNR staff from Manchester investigated a small hog manure spill near Jerico that reached a tributary of Crane Creek. The spill of several hundred gallons occurred Oct. 31 when a hose ruptured during land application. The commercial manure applicator from Reicks View Farms immediately shut off pumps, then parked the tractor on top of the hose. “It looked like a textbook spill response,” said Chris Gelner, DNR inspector. “Reicks’ applicator quickly dammed the tributary at two spots and began pumping contaminated water into manure tanks to prevent it from moving downstream.” The spill was … Continue reading DNR checks spill cleanup in Chickasaw County

Arts, Charles City Schools

PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Chris Baldus

  The Charles City High School presentation of the musical comedy “The Addams Family” wrapped up its three-day run (including a matinee for younger students) on Saturday in the Historic auditorium at the former middle school. The cast and crew of more than 50 students, as well as the pit musicians and adult directors, put in two months of rehearsal and building the gothic manor sets. Continue reading PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Arts, Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Area musicians to perform with North Iowa Concert Band on Nov. 21

Chris Baldus

The North Iowa Concert Band, under the direction of John Klemas, will present a Fall Concert on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the North Iowa Area Community College campus. Chuck Cooper is the band’s announcer.   The North Iowa Concert Band’s program includes: “Gavorkna Fanfare” by Jack Stamp; “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David R. Holsinger; “Man of La Mancha” Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darion, Arranged by Frank Erickson; “The Purple Carnival March” by Harry L. Alford, Edited by Frank Erckson; “Rest” by Frank Ticheli; “Victory At … Continue reading Area musicians to perform with North Iowa Concert Band on Nov. 21

Outdoors

Fishing Report: Jig the Cedar

Chris Baldus

The Iowa DNR reported Nov. 2 that the Cedar River above Nashua “continues to drop and water clarity is improving. Use this opportunity to get out and play before the cold weather sets in. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a long piece of worm or minnow in deeper pools and around brush piles near evening.” The report for the Cedar River from Nashua to La Porte City is: “There have been good to excellent reports of anglers catching walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass on the Cedar River. Target deeper pools or holes for walleye as they … Continue reading Fishing Report: Jig the Cedar

Charles City

Zoetis captures 2017 WonderFall business decorating contest

Chris Baldus

  Community Revitalization news release The votes are in and the “Boo Zoo” display at Zoetis has captured the most votes for best fall or Halloween-themed business decoration in the 2017 “WonderFall” competition. Sponsored by the Design Committee of Community Revitalization, Charles City businesses were encouraged to dress up their storefronts as a fun way to draw attention to their shops, as well as to give residents and visitors alike something fun to go around town and check out.   “WonderFall’ voting took place from Oct. 2nd to Oct. 27th. The decorating contest was free to take part in and … Continue reading Zoetis captures 2017 WonderFall business decorating contest

Comets

Charles City volleyball must get through Waverly Monday night to enter State Tournament 

Chris Baldus

The bracket comes down to this: another rematch between the Charles City varsity volleyball team against Waverly-Shell Rock. The title match for Class 4A Region 5 begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. The Comets opened region play Tuesday, Oct. 24 with a match victory over Webster City in three games (25-15, 25-11, 25-14). Waverly-Shell Rock dispatched Waterloo East in three games as well (25-18, 25-12, 25-17) to advance. Continue reading Charles City volleyball must get through Waverly Monday night to enter State Tournament 

Donate, Outdoors

FISHING REPORT: Cedar River’s water clarity improving

Chris Baldus

The Cedar River above Nashua continues to drop and water clarity is improving, according to the Iowa DNR weekly fishing report. It says: “Use this opportunity to get out and play before the cold weather sets in. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a long piece of worm or minnow in deeper pools and around brush piles near evening.” Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Cedar River’s water clarity improving

Comets

Charles City girls cross county place 5th at State

Chris Baldus

SUNDAY UPDATE — Charles City’s Kiki Connell, who placed sixth at the Class A State Girls Cross Country Championship on Saturday  ran most is the race with only one shoe, according to her mother. At about 200 meters she lost her left shoe. Kiki, who was playing violin and doing face painting Sunday afternoon at a church festival, said she was tripped up at the start Saturday and her shoe was knocked off. After the initial shock, she decided to just push on with one socked foot. With the exception of an occasional root, it went fine, she said. She … Continue reading Charles City girls cross county place 5th at State

Sports

Friday night football scores; Riceville bumped from playoffs

Chris Baldus

Riceville football’s 8-man state title quest ended on a cold Friday night Tripoli ousted the Wildcats 28-18. Below are the rest of Friday night’s postseason scores. CLASS 4A: Ankeny Centennial 31, Waukee 21  Bettendorf-Morningstar-Rivermont 28, Pleasant Valley 14  Cedar Falls 28, Prairie, Cedar Rapids 7  Dowling Catholic High School 45, Urbandale 3  Iowa City, West 49, Cedar Rapids, Washington 7  Johnston 14, Southeast Polk 7  Lewis Central 21, Valley, West Des Moines 14 (OT) North Scott, Eldridge 50, Davenport, Central 0  CLASS 3A: Assumption, Davenport 45, Washington 28  Dallas Center-Grimes 41, Carlisle 22  Harlan 42, Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City … Continue reading Friday night football scores; Riceville bumped from playoffs

Community, Sports

Hunn powers Thursday night league leader TJ Service

Chris Baldus

COMET BOWL, Charles City, Iowa — Five bowlers in the Thursday night men’s bowling league have a higher average than Jim Hunn at 213. But it’s his TJ Service team on top of the standings after eight weeks. Hunn’s teammates, Tom Bock, Jordan Bock, Jess Griffin and Kory McIntire have 23.5 more points won than second place Redline Vending. Cambrex is in third, but only a half point behind RV in points won. Cambrex team member Corey Anderegg has the highest scratch series so far this season, a 760. Snap Fitness team member Jessie Gifford and YOLI’s Doc Slinger share … Continue reading Hunn powers Thursday night league leader TJ Service

Comets

CC’s Connell, Deeter and Litterer compete at State

Chris Baldus

FORT DODGE, Iowa — Three Comet boys ran well Saturday at the Class 3A State Cross Country Championship with senior Gavin Connell leading the way with a time of 16:57.6. He placed 36th. Charles City junior Mason Deeter placed 46th with a time of 17:01.1.  Nick Litterer, also a junior, placed 102 with a 17:51.8.    “These guys had a great day! Gavin in for 36th, his best place finish in 4 years! Mason at 46th (top 35%), and Nick at 102!” head coach Ryan Rahmiller tweeted. The individual state champ, senior Myles Bach of  Center Point-Urbana finished in 15:49. Continue reading CC’s Connell, Deeter and Litterer compete at State

Huskies, Sports, Warriors

Clarksville, Rockford and N-P girls run strong at Class 1A State Meet

Chris Baldus

 FORT DODGE, Iowa — Clarksville sophomore Kori Wedeking had the top finish among Butler, Chickasaw and Floyd county runners Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Girls Class 1A Cross Country State Championship at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Wedeking placed 12th in individual results with a time of 19:47.3. Rockford senior Sheridan LaCoste placed 36th with a time of 21:00.8.         Nashua-Plainfield ninth-grader Aubrey Eick was 61st with a 21:29.5 The field includes 143 runners. The individual Class 1A state champ is Springville-Central sophomore Emily Staal with a time of 18:36.5. Continue reading Clarksville, Rockford and N-P girls run strong at Class 1A State Meet

Charles City

Taking a stroll down the Spookwalk in Charles City

Chris Baldus

By Colton Baldus Hundreds of costumed kids lined up along the Cedar Riverfront on Thursday to celebrate pre-Halloween, collecting candy strolling through attractions sponsored by local businesses and organizations.  There was a pirate ship handing out chocolate doubloons, a pharoh’s “tomb.” Said pharaoh seemed to be in good health lying on a table inside. A recreation of the “Wizard of Oz” included a yellow brick road. Colorful and spooky mixed in many more stops along the Spookwalk. The costumes people wore were very cool my favorites were some of the ones pictured here, but there are others that deserve a … Continue reading Taking a stroll down the Spookwalk in Charles City