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
Obituaries

Ron Holzer remembered as a happy guy

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Ronald “Ron” Holzer, 61, of Charles City, died Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. According to Ron’s wishes, he was cremated and a celebration of his life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Hauser Funeral Home. Ron’s family will continue the celebration of his life afterwards at DeRailed in Charles City. Ronald “Ron” Joseph Holzer was born Jan. 9, 1956, to Gilbert and Dorothy (Hemann) Holzer in Charles City, Iowa. Ron grew up in the Charles City area, attending Charles City High School. … Continue reading Ron Holzer remembered as a happy guy

Obituaries

Attorney from Charles City dies at age 45

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Rodney “Rod” Mulcahy J.D., 45, of Charles City, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017, in Charles City, Iowa. A funeral service for Rod will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City with Pastor Jim Beranek officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5- 7 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017, at Hauser Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Rodney “Rod” Eric Mulcahy was born April 3, … Continue reading Attorney from Charles City dies at age 45

Outdoors
Chris Baldus

Article from the Iowa DNR Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 2, 3 and 4 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) free fishing weekend. “Free fishing weekend is a great opportunity for Iowans to reconnect with fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau. “Invite a kid, your best friend or your mom to come along. Have some fun and create new memories.” Gather your family or friends and travel to one of the hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or a nearby pond for a few … Continue reading

Charles City

Floyd County’s prosecutor wants Lindaman’s retrial to begin ASAP

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY – Floyd County’s lead prosecutor wants Doug Lindaman back in district court as soon as possible. The Iowa Supreme Court last week reversed Lindaman’s April 2016 conviction by a jury of third-degree sexual abuse, sending the case back to Floyd County District Court for retrial. County Attorney Rachel Ginbey, filed a request on Tuesday, May 23, to have the case added to the trial list and “resent at the earliest possible date for trial.” Lindaman, a former Floyd County magistrate who lost his law license after two convictions in the late 1980s for lascivious acts with minors, has … Continue reading Floyd County’s prosecutor wants Lindaman’s retrial to begin ASAP

Charles City

Charles City Police hunting robber 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The police are seeking the public’s help in solving a robbery from over the weekend. The Charles City Police issued this statement:  “At about 12:14 a.m., Sunday morning the CCPD took a report of an armed robbery at a business in the 600 block of South Main Street. A white male subject displayed a weapon and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was harmed during the incident. The CCPD is asking for the public’s assistance on the incident. A reward up to $400 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction … Continue reading Charles City Police hunting robber 

Outdoors

Iowa DNR announces clearance prices on select trees/shrubs

Chris Baldus

This week only, select tree and shrub seedlings will sell for 50 percent off at the State Forest Nursery. Place an order while supplies last by calling-800-865-2477 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Discounted species and sizes available include: Aroniaberry – 8-16″ Aroniaberry – 17-24″ Arrowwood – 8-16″ Arrowwood – 17-24″ Hazelnut – 8-16″ Hazelnut – 17-24″ Highbush Cranberry – 8-16″ only Ninebark – 8-16″ only Northern Pecan – 8-16″ only Pin Oak – 8-16″ Silver Maple – 8-16″ only Wild Plum – 17-24″ only Small bareroot seedlings sell for $32.50 per 100 and larger ones for … Continue reading Iowa DNR announces clearance prices on select trees/shrubs

Floyd County

Floyd County to discuss animals at large ordinance

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — An animals at large ordinance is on the Floyd County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas this week as well as fireworks state laws and law enforcement contracts with some cities. The supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, May 22, in a workshop session, and again at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, in a regular business meeting during which they can vote to take action on items. The agendas are below: Floyd County Board of Supervisors Meeting May 22, 2017, 9 a.m.
Floyd County Courthouse Board Room: 1. Approve agenda 2. Public Comment 3. Update on various boards/commissions/activities … Continue reading Floyd County to discuss animals at large ordinance

Arts, Charles City

Artist assembling ‘Revival’ in Charles City’s Victory Park

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Of all the things artist David Williamson has done to the debris of Charles City’s iconic suspension bridge, he did not bend and twist heavy angle iron. That was done for him by the raging Cedar River in 2008. Williamson over the past week has been putting together the sculpture called “Revival” in Victory Park. It is the result of the community-wide art project Building With The Bridge. Williamson met with students, service clubs and as many residents as possible in designing the sculpture made from the wreckage of Charles City’s iconic suspension bridge that was swept … Continue reading Artist assembling ‘Revival’ in Charles City’s Victory Park

Obituaries

Funeral for Robert Paul of Floyd is Sunday, May 21

Chris Baldus

FLOYD — Robert “Bob” Paul, 77, of Floyd, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, May 17. A funeral service for Bob will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. A private family burial will take place at a later date. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Hauser Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the funeral home on Sunday. Robert “Bob” Lee Paul was born November 11, 1939 to Chet and Betty (Mathews) … Continue reading Funeral for Robert Paul of Floyd is Sunday, May 21

Charles City

Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Convicted sex offender and former county and school board candidate Doug Lindaman is getting a new trial because he was not adequately warned about the dangers of representing himself. Lindaman was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse by a Floyd County jury on April 12, 2016. He is serving an up-to-10-year prison sentence and on release he was to be placed on the sex offender registry. In an order filed Friday, May 19, the three-judge panel of Iowa Supreme Court Justices Brent R. Appel, Thomas Waterman and Bruce B. Zager agreed with Lindaman’s appeal for a new trial … Continue reading Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Charles City

Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City Council planning session in which Rachel Colsch request to keep chickens at her home at 223 Charles St. has been postponed. -——  CHARLES CITY — A woman seeking permission to keep chickens in her backyard explains in a letter that they are dear family pets. “These are all my pets,” Rachel Colsch of 223 Charles St. wrote. “They are very special to me and I love them dearly.” Her request is scheduled to be discussed Monday, May 22, at the Charles City Council’s planning session in City Hall. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. In a … Continue reading Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Hail no! North Central Iowa hit again by destructive storms

Chris Baldus

Wednesday evening’s storms struck fast and furiously. At about 6 p.m., the Charles City Fire Department reported “many trees and powerlines down throughout (the) county, making many roads impassable.” A minute later, a spotter reported a tree branch knocking out power lines south of Charles City. These were two of many reports compiled by the National Weather Service about the high winds, hail and heavy rain that tore into north central Iowa Wednesday, May 17. The storms tracked north into Minnesota, where tornadoes were reported. Along with the snapped branches, large trees were uprooted in Charles City. The city will be … Continue reading Hail no! North Central Iowa hit again by destructive storms

Charles City

In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Chris Baldus

This story appeared in the Monday, May 18, 1914, Charles City Intelligencer. SEVERELY INJURED BY FROLICKING DOGS MRS JACKSON WOOD IS THROWN TO PAVEMENT SATURDAY Mrs. Jackson Wood, a well-known resident of west Kelly Street, met with a very serious accident last Saturday afternoon while downtown shopping. The lady, who is well-along in years, was passing in front of the Burns grocery when she was run into and thrown to the pavement by several dogs at play on the sidewalk, with the result that she sustained a broken hip, a fractured left wrist, a number of body bruises and contusions … Continue reading In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Arts, Charles City

Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The final performance conducted by retiring Orchestra Director Nancy Western was by the Charles City Middle School orchestra Tuesday night in the 500 N. Grand Auditorium. The school’s band and orchestra performed their annual spring  concert. ORCHESTRA BAND Continue reading Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Arts, Charles City

$50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Indiana limestone steps were stacked out of the way on Jackson Street Tuesday morning as the crew from Renaissance Restoration assessed the job beneath the Charles City Arts Center’s front door. Bricks were easily plucked out of crumbling mortar in the  walls that held up the steps. The task was beginning to look bigger than first thought. “Right now we are under contract for about $50,000 in repair work,” City Administrator Steve Diers told Reports. “That amount is likely to increase as some of supporting brick has been found to be in poor condition and will … Continue reading $50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Charles City

Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Promising to be a governor for all Iowans, Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, launched his bid for Iowa governor Tuesday morning at Aromas coffee shop. “I am running for governor to create economic growth across the entire state,” he was quoted on campaign literature dotting tables as he spoke. “We need to invest in our rural communities, increase wages for Iowa workers and provide free universal community college to grow Iowa’s economy. Our state needs new leadership with a bold vision to help all of us, including those that have left behind for too long.” It was … Continue reading Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign