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
Charles City Schools

5 things to know about Monday’s CC School Board meeting

Chris Baldus

The Charles City School Board’s regular meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in the Charles City Middle School gather space, 7th grade learning studio. That is on the north end of the school on the first floor.Here are 5 things to know about Monday’s meeting: 1. High school senior Falyn Knecht, a CCHS senior, will be sworn in as the student member of the School Board. She will serve until the final regular meeting in May. She can join board discussions, but can’t vote and can’t participate in closed sessions. She is supposed to communicate board decisions to … Continue reading 5 things to know about Monday’s CC School Board meeting

Arts, Charles City

Home art tour being offered Sept. 24 in Charles City 

Chris Baldus

Charles City has become known for its wide variety of public art, especially in Central Park and along the riverfront. However, a vast number of art treasures reside with private collections in town as well. On Sunday, Sept. 24, five Charles City homes will be opening their homes for public viewing of their private collections. The Design Committee of Community Revitalization has organized its first Home Art Tour to showcase some of the fine art collectibles in town. Five homes will be featured in this year’s tour, with the public able to check out the art collections in each between … Continue reading Home art tour being offered Sept. 24 in Charles City 

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Rockford, North Butler and Nashua-Plainfield notch 3 football loses

Chris Baldus

Rockford, North Butler and Nashua-Plainfield were swept Friday night in Class A District 3.  Grundy Center defeated Rockford 49-0.  Saint Ansgar squeaked past Nashua-Plainfield 35-32.  West Hancock, Britt defeated North Butler, Greene 62-18. Below are more Class A scores from Sept. 8: CLASS A: District 1 Akron-Westfield 26, Woodbury Central, Moville 0  Gehlen Catholic, LeMars 35, West Monona 6  West Sioux, Hawarden 56, Lawton-Bronson 12  Westwood, Sloan at Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto  District 2 Bishop Garrigan, Algona 32, Sioux Central, Sioux Rapids 6  Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 27, South O’Brien, Paullina 14  Ridge View 45, North Union 0  St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 27, MMCRU 20  … Continue reading Rockford, North Butler and Nashua-Plainfield notch 3 football loses

Comets

No-quit Comet football falls in Tama 

Chris Baldus

Two late scores by South Tama gave the Trojans a 29-20 win over the Charles City Comets in Friday night football action. Charles City is now 1-2 overall and 0-1 in Class 3A District 3. The game featured Charles City’s Seth Niichel returning an interception for a touchdown to give the Comets a 20-13 early in the fourth quarter. South Tama scored 16 unanswered points to close out the game. When a Comet pitch went awry, the Trojans took the lead on a safety with less than 5 minutes left in the game. They put the game out of reach … Continue reading No-quit Comet football falls in Tama 

Comets

NEIAC Volleyball standings and scores as of Sept. 5

Chris Baldus

NEIAC STANDINGS (Team … wins-losses-ties) Waverly-Shell Rock … 8 – 1 – 0 New Hampton …………. 7 – 2 – 0 Decorah ……………………. 3 – 3 – 0 Oelwein ……………………. 5 – 6 – 0 Charles City ……………….4 – 6 – 0 Waukon ……………………. 2 – 4 – 2 Crestwood ………………… 0 – 2 – 0 CHARLES CITY SCORES/SCHEDULE W – 08/26, home – Charles City 2, Decorah 0 W – 08/26, home – Charles City 2, Mason City 0 L – 08/26, home – Iowa Falls-Alden 2, Charles City 1 W – 08/26, home – Charles City 2, Iowa City, … Continue reading NEIAC Volleyball standings and scores as of Sept. 5

Comets

Comet football third in district in passing and rushing yards

Chris Baldus

After week 2, the Charles City Comets football team is third in rushing yards and in passing yards among district rivals. Comet quarterback Mike Cranshaw’s 180 total yards passing has him in third behind Independence and Benton’s signal callers. See a round up of team and individual statistics after week 2 below: CLASS 3A DISTRICT 3 STATISTICS after week 2 TEAM TOTALS: Passing yards — Independence 377, Benton 330, Charles City 180, South Tama 180, Xavier 172, Waverly-Shell Rock 145, Decorah 128, Vinton-Shellsburg 114. Rushing yards — Independence 602, Decorah 546, Waverly-Shell Rock 476, Charles City 405, Xavier, Cedar Rapids 360, … Continue reading Comet football third in district in passing and rushing yards

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Nashua-Plainfield and North Butler football teams undefeated after week 2; Class A District 3 stats and standings

Chris Baldus

Three Class A District 3 teams remain undefeated after week 2 of the 2017 season. Two will face each other as St. Ansgar hosts Nashua-Plainfield Friday night. North Butler will put its 2-0 start on the line against winless West Hancock. Here is the season so far, by the numbers: CLASS A DISTRICT 3 OVERALL STANDINGS TEAM: WIN – LOSS Saint Ansgar: 2-0 Newman Catholic: 2-0 North Butler: 2-0 Grundy Center: 1-1 Nashua-Plainfield: 1-1 West Fork, Sheffield: 1-1 Rockford: 0-2 West Hancock: 0-2 Week 2 scores Central Springs 36, Rockford 21 ( (ND)) Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 40, West Hancock, Britt 0 ( … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield and North Butler football teams undefeated after week 2; Class A District 3 stats and standings

Comets, Sports

Charles City wins, plus all District 3 football scores

Chris Baldus

Friday, Sept. 1 games in Class 3, District 3: Charles City 35, Osage 20 (Non-district) Benton Community 17, Marion 14  (ND) Decorah 14, Crestwood, Cresco 6 (ND) Independence 35, Clear Creek-Amana 7 (ND) Union, La Porte City 42, Vinton-Shellsburg 14 (ND) Waverly-Shell Rock 27, North Fayette Valley 7 (ND) Williamsburg 49, South Tama County, Tama 13 (ND) Xavier, Cedar Rapids 16, Linn-Mar, Marion 0 (ND) Class 3, District 3 overall standings TEAM: WIN – LOSS Benton Community: 2 – 0  Vinton-Shellsburg: 2 – 0  Waverly-Shell Rock: 2 – 0  Xavier, Cedar Rapids: 2 – 0  Decorah: 2 – 0  Charles … Continue reading Charles City wins, plus all District 3 football scores

Comets

Charles City 2017-18 Football Schedule 

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Comets football team begins its 2017 campaign Friday, Aug. 25, on the road in New Hampton. This season the Comets varsity in the regular season will face New Hampton, Osage, South Tama, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Independence (Homecoming), Vinton-Shellsburg, Benton Community, Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock. Charles City is hoping to return to the postseason after coming up short with a 3-6 2016 campaign. Their wins were over South Tama, Independence and Vinton-Shellsburg. Comets entering their senior season include: Mike Cranshaw (9), Derek Milligan (11), Theo Arndt (12), Tyreque Baker (22), Jalen Jones (25), Tre Walker (30), Sam Niichel … Continue reading Charles City 2017-18 Football Schedule 

Charles City

CCFD responds to fire call at Joslin and Hulin Streets

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Fire Department responded to at emergency call at about 10 a.m. Sunday at a house at Joslin and Hulin Streets. The department responded with two trucks and no smoke or flame was obvious. Firefighters entered through the front door where they set up a large fan. By 9:15 a.m, they packed up the fan, put away equipment and departed. Firefighters said it was a cooking fire. No injuries or serious damage. Continue reading CCFD responds to fire call at Joslin and Hulin Streets

Obituaries

Telephone operator, farmer and mother Ruth Duncan dies at 90

Chris Baldus

Ruth Duncan, 90, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City A funeral service for Ruth Duncan will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City with Erik Hoefer officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2017 and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday. Ruth Velma (Brinkman) Duncan was born on May 17, 1927 on the family … Continue reading Telephone operator, farmer and mother Ruth Duncan dies at 90

Obituaries

Dean Butterfield, longtime Charles City teacher, dies at 85

Chris Baldus

Dean Butterfield, 85, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A funeral service for Dean Butterfield will be held 2 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2017 at Bethany Alliance Church in Charles City with Pastor Coulter Page and Pastor Bill McLeland officiating. Visitation will be at Bethany Alliance Church from 12:30 p.m. until the start of the service on Friday. Dean LaVerne Butterfield was born November 3, 1931 on a small farm near Walker, Iowa. He later moved with his family to Independence, Iowa, where he graduated from high School … Continue reading Dean Butterfield, longtime Charles City teacher, dies at 85

Obituaries

Fun-loving Buzz Hendrickson dies at 81

Chris Baldus

Boyd “Buzz” Hendrickson, 81, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 at his home. A funeral Mass for Buzz Hendrickson will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Reverend Gary Mayer celebrating the Mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 and will continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Wednesday. Boyd Arthur “Buzz” Hendrickson, the son of Iliff and Ida Mae (Holt) Hendrickson, was born August … Continue reading Fun-loving Buzz Hendrickson dies at 81

Calendar, Chickasaw County

ISU NE Research Farm Highlights Home Demonstration Garden on Saturday, Aug. 5

Chris Baldus

Extension news release NASHUA – The Annual Home Demonstration Garden Tour at the ISU Northeast Research Farm will run from 4 to 6 PM on August 5th. Cindy Haynes, ISU Horticulturalist, will highlight this year’s garden theme “Donation Gardens” and discuss this year’s vegetable and flower cultivars planted and other gardening techniques. Last year, the ISU NE Research Farm donated over 3100 lbs of marketable produce from less than a tenth of an acre, to local food pantries by the hard work of Iowa Master Gardener volunteers.   The field day is free and open to the public and homemade … Continue reading ISU NE Research Farm Highlights Home Demonstration Garden on Saturday, Aug. 5

Calendar, Chickasaw County

Research Farm Highlights Crop Markets and Pest Management on Aug. 25

Chris Baldus

Extension News Release NASHUA – The annual August Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1:00 to 4:15 PM. Chad Hart, ISU Economist, will kick-off the program in the Borlaug Learning Center, by providing his insights on the grain markets. Shawn Shouse, ISU Extension Ag Engineer, follows with tips on grain drying and storage for the upcoming harvest. We will then convene outside for the farm wagon tours; Alison Robertson, Extension plant pathologist, will share crop disease research results from the farm and their practical applications, and Bob Hartzler, Extension weed management specialist, will … Continue reading Research Farm Highlights Crop Markets and Pest Management on Aug. 25

Floyd County

Food safety certification class to be held Oct. 16 in Charles City

Chris Baldus

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Floyd County will be hosting a ServSafe® food safety certification class in Charles City on October 16, 2017. “Certification in ServSafe® meets the Iowa Food Code requirements to have a certified food protection manager in all establishments,” said Nancy Clark, class instructor and ISU Extension and Outreach Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. This eight-hour program aims to train food service professionals about food safety requirements and best practices to meet them.” According to Clark, the program is based on the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe® certification program and the Iowa Food Code. The class is … Continue reading Food safety certification class to be held Oct. 16 in Charles City

Outdoors

Floodwaters damage Sweet Marsh Wildlife Area

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa DNR TRIPOLI, Iowa – Heavy rainfall last weekend in the Wapsipinicon and Plum Creek watersheds in Chickasaw and Bremer counties has caused a 60 foot by 40 foot section of the dike on Martens Lake on the Sweet Marsh Wildlife Management Area to fail. The breach likely occurred during the night of July 23.  The water level on the 255-acre lake is dropping and is nearly two feet below crest. The water level is similar to that when the lake is lowered to manage for vegetation. Flooding caused by the 10-15 inches of rain has made Quail … Continue reading Floodwaters damage Sweet Marsh Wildlife Area

Charles City Schools

10 things to know this month about Charles City Schools

Chris Baldus

From the return of a familiar face to Charles City School District finances, here are 10 things to know about Charles City Schools this week: 1. On Aug. 10, Erik Hoefer will begin his new tenure as a Charles City 3rd grade teacher. The popular teacher is returning after retiring in 2016 to attend seminary. He will also be the middle school cross country coach. 2. As of Aug. 1, Rob Pittman and Ryan Fank are co-coaching the Charles City High School wrestling team. 3. Pittman will lead a social studies trip to Peru this year. 4. Brad McKenzie is … Continue reading 10 things to know this month about Charles City Schools

Outdoors

Iowa’s annual pheasant population survey begins Aug. 1

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources The August roadside survey is the best measurement of Iowa pheasant population. Surveyors watch for hens moving their broods to the road edges to dry off before starting to look for insects. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR. Iowa’s 15-day annual pheasant population survey begins on Aug. 1, and after a mild winter and early spring, wildlife experts are cautiously optimistic about what they hope to find. “Our weather this year is nearly identical to what we saw in 2015,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources … Continue reading Iowa’s annual pheasant population survey begins Aug. 1