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
Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Storm blasts through region

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Although 75 mph winds were reported in Nashua and 1-inch hail in Charles City, the severe thunderstorms that raced through the region Monday evening saved its worse for locales farther east.   In New Hampton, as a rainbow spread above Nashua, 2-inch hail fell in the hard rain and high winds. Those winds sped up to 82 mph by the time they reached Calmar in Winneshiek County. In Fayette County, roofs blew off in numerous areas. The National Weather Service Reports that 0.97 of an inch of rain fell on Rockford and 0.57 fell in Charles City. Click … Continue reading Storm blasts through region

Charles City

No injuries at Charles City house fire

Chris Baldus

CCFD News Release CHARLES CITY – The Charles City Fire Department responded to a report of a porch and roof on fire at 611 Pfeiffer St. in Charles City at about 10:31 p.m. Sunday evening.   Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the home’s roof and attic area. Entry was made, and firefighters found that the fire was solely above the ceiling in the attic. CCFD firefighters attempted ventilating the roof, but fire had expanded across the home’s entire attic space, and having firefighters on the roof was a hazard to their safety. Firefighters inside the home … Continue reading No injuries at Charles City house fire

Comets

Comet boys golf team advances to district meet on Friday

Chris Baldus

Pictured from left are Charles City boys golf team members Carter Klatt, Theo Arndt, Jack Molstead, Nate Lasher and Carter Johanningmeier.  Comets take second at Decorah sectional DECORAH — The Comet boys golf team kept its postseason alive with a second-place finish at the Class 3A Sectional at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah. Charles City finished with a 354, behind West Delaware’s 329. They will meet again along with Benton Community and Central DeWitt at 10 a.m. Friday for district play at Pin Oaks Links in Manchester. Benton took first (300) and Central DeWitt (310) in the Maquoketa … Continue reading Comet boys golf team advances to district meet on Friday

Obituaries

Ben Lee Cordes passes at 77

Chris Baldus

ALTA VISTA — Ben Lee Cordes, age 77 of Alta Vista, IA passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017 unexpectedly at his home. Funeral Services for Ben will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, IA with Pastor Vincent Fricke officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Charles City VFW Post and the Alta Vista VFW Post. Burial will be held at a later date in Wayside Cemetery at Chapin, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa … Continue reading Ben Lee Cordes passes at 77

Warriors

3 Rockford girls qualify for State Track Meet

Chris Baldus

These Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock students are bound for the Iowa High School State Track Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, May 18-20: Skylar Schmitt in the shot put. Her seed mark of 37-00.50 puts her 15th among qualifiers. The Class 1A girls shot event begins at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 18   AJ Staudt in high jump. Her seed mark of 5-03 puts her No. 1 among qualifiers. The Class 1A state high jump event begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 19   Sheridan LaCoste in the 3,000 meter run. Her seed time of 11:40.6 puts her 16th among qualifiers. The Class 1A … Continue reading 3 Rockford girls qualify for State Track Meet

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Rockford wins boys golf sectional; Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler sending individuals to districts

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Juniors Zach Bushbaum and Nick Goodrich led the Rockford boys golf team to a first-place finish Friday at the Class 1A Boys Sectional Golf Meet at the Nashua Town and Country Club. Nashua-Plainfield and North Butler qualified individuals for next week’ district meet. At the sectional meet, Bushbaum defeated Saint Ansgar junior Dylan Low in a one-hole playoff for medalist. They were tied at 84 after 18 holes. Goodrich tied for third place with Saint Ansgar senior Ben Boerjan. They each scored an 85. Rockford and Saint Ansgar’s teams, which finished first and second, respectively, advance to the … Continue reading Rockford wins boys golf sectional; Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler sending individuals to districts

Charles City

City Council supports application to put former middle school building on National Register, asks for 2 edits

Chris Baldus

UPDATE CHARLES CITY (Thursday, May 11, 2017) — Municipal leaders are prepared to back the effort to get a federal designation for the former Charles City Middle School building that could help in adapting it for a new use. Wednesday night, the Charles City Council was supportive of the application by developer Charley Thomson to have the 1931 building added to the National Register of Historic Places. Councilmen asked for two changes, however. The first is noting the building is publicly not privately owned. Thomson has plans to purchase the Art Deco building at 500 N. Grand from the district … Continue reading City Council supports application to put former middle school building on National Register, asks for 2 edits

Comets

Comet boys tee off Friday at sectionals in Decorah

Chris Baldus

DECORAH — The Charles City boys golf team will travel to Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah on Friday, May 12, for its Class 3A sectional meet. Golf begins at 10 a.m. Also competing in the meet are Decorah, Cresco, Waverly-Shell Rock, Oelwein, Independence, Union (LaPorte City) and West Delaware (Manchester). Teams and individuals advancing from the district meets in Decorah and Maquoketa will compete in district play Friday, May 19, at Pin Oaks Links. Golf begins at 10 a.m. For a full list of Class 3A sectional matchups, click here. Continue reading Comet boys tee off Friday at sectionals in Decorah

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Nashua to host boys golf sectional meet on Friday

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — The Nashua Town and Country Club will host a Class 1A sectional boys golf meet beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12. The teams competing are Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler, Postville, Riceville, Rockford, Saint Ansgar and Turkey Valley. Teams advancing from the Nashua sectional and others in Algona, Grundy Center and Tripoli will compete in a district meet at 10 a.m., Friday, May 19, at the Mason City Country Club. For a full list of Class 1A sectional matchups, click here. Continue reading Nashua to host boys golf sectional meet on Friday

Arts, Charles City Schools

CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Jazz on the River became Jazz in Central Park this year as the amphitheater was damaged by floodwaters last year. The Charles City High School Jazz Ensemble and a group composed of middle and high school musicians performed Saturday, May 6, at the final jazz concert of the year. The playlist was extended by a few songs that the Jazz Ensemble prepared for the high school’s annual Ice Cream Social that was cancelled. The days performance was capped with the social’s traditional finale, “In the Mood.” Continue reading CC Jazz groups close out their year in Central Park

Obituaries

Sarah Putney passes at age 74

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Sarah Putney, 74, of Charles City, formerly Des Moines, passed away, Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A funeral service for Sarah Putney will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2017 at Hauser Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Phillips from Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 and will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Sarah Jane (Carter) … Continue reading Sarah Putney passes at age 74

Charles City

Charles City Council to discuss Charley Western Trail Bridge demolition, replacement tonight

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — City leaders want to have two bridge designs in hand when considering how to replace the crumbling Charley Western Trail Bridge. In a revised agreement with the engineering firm hired to inspect the bridge before it began to sag, the city is plans to order one design to accommodate only a recreational trail and a second design of a bridge able to carry a roadway and a recreational trail. The Charles City Council will review the revised bridge evaluation agreement approved April 3 as well as a second agreement for demolition preparation services with Calhoun Burns and … Continue reading Charles City Council to discuss Charley Western Trail Bridge demolition, replacement tonight

Obituaries

Robert Hammel passes at age 84

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Robert “Bob” Hammel, 84, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A private family graveside service for Bob Hammel will be held at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City with Pastor Rod Rindahl (Bob’s neighbor and friend) from New Life Community Church officiating. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Family and friends are invited to the VFW in Charles City at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 for a continued celebration of Bob’s life. Robert … Continue reading Robert Hammel passes at age 84

Charles City

Fireworks legalized in Iowa, Charles City to review its regulations

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Terry Branstad have trumped Charles City’s ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of consumer fireworks in city limits. The new law allowing both across the state leaves cities some room to make rules, however. The City Council will discuss fireworks at tonight’s planning meeting that begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall. In a memo to the council, City Administrator Steve Diers said: ” It would appear that the biggest change is that persons will be allowed to use “consumer fireworks” for certain time periods: June 1st through July 8th; and Dec. … Continue reading Fireworks legalized in Iowa, Charles City to review its regulations

Charles City, COLUMNS

From the desk of Mayor James A. Erb: Last call for infrastructure investment — A joint entity challenge

Chris Baldus

BY MAYOR JAMES ERB CHARLES CITY — ​We are about to enter into a “planning season” for public bodies. In addition to present goals/plans, here are the following which I am presently involved with: (1) The Charles City Comprehensive Plan, (2) The Floyd County (ADC) Strategic Plan, and (3) the Mason City-Clear Lake Highway 122 Corridor Plan.   To do this planning, the first question that needs to be asked is how much regional demand for infrastructure is there? Here is a list of what is on the horizon that might require the dedication of community funds in the Charles City … Continue reading From the desk of Mayor James A. Erb: Last call for infrastructure investment — A joint entity challenge

Charles City

Popular northeast and central Iowa paddling destinations closed

Chris Baldus

By the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources This weekend’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers around the state. Water recreationists should avoid three popular destinations this weekend and possibly longer. A section of the Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County is closed to all boaters after a bridge along Cattle Creek Road collapsed over the river on May 5th. The bridge was located between Chimney Rock and Coldwater Creek. Cleanup began on Tuesday and is expected to continue until at least the end of the week. Engineers hope to have the area re-opened to boaters … Continue reading Popular northeast and central Iowa paddling destinations closed

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Nashua-Plainfield girls place second at conference golf tournament

Chris Baldus

SHEFFIELD — Nashua-Plainfield placed second in the Top of Iowa Conference Girls Golf Tournament held Monday, May 8, at Ridge Stone Golf Club in Sheffield. Newman Catholic took first while also fielding the tournament medalist, Peyton Olson, who carded a 92, and runner-up, Morgan Luecht, 95. The final tournament standings Newman Catholic – 389 Nashua-Plainfield – 425 Northwood-Kensett – 432 Osage – 435 Rockford – 436 North Butler – 455 Central Springs – 459 West Fork – 508 Saint Ansgar – 528 Team by team results  Individual stats are grade, first 8, second 8 — full score (rank) Newman Catholic … Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield girls place second at conference golf tournament

Bearcats, Huskies, Warriors

Green Devils win Top of Iowa Boys Conference Tournament, Rockford cracks top 5

Chris Baldus

MANLY — It took a tiebreaker, but Osage took first in the Top of Iowa Conference Boys Golf Tournament held Monday, May 8, at Pioneer Town and Country Club in Manly. Here are the final standings: Osage – 339 (won tiebreaker 5th score) Saint Ansgar – 339 Newman Catholic – 344 Central Springs – 356 Rockford – 359 North Butler – 374 West Fork – 393 Nashua-Plainfield – 415 Northwood-Kensett – 3 golfers The tournament medalist was Saint Ansgar’s Ben Boerjan, who shot a 78. The runner-up medalist was Newman Catholic’s Austin Eckenrod, who shot a 79. Complete results below. … Continue reading Green Devils win Top of Iowa Boys Conference Tournament, Rockford cracks top 5

Nashua

Your morning update: High school golf conference meets are today

Chris Baldus

WEATHER: Today — A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight — A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tuesday — A 10 percent chance of showers before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 8 mph. SPORTS  The Northeast Iowa Conference girls  golf tournament begins at 10 a.m. At … Continue reading Your morning update: High school golf conference meets are today

Nashua

Nashua-Plainfield golfers card home victories

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Nashua-Plainfield’s Haley Hillesheim shot a 54 and Caleb Liddle a 45 on their home course May 2 to be named the meet’s medalists. Nashua Plainfield girls defeated West Fork at the Nashua town and country club the Huskies had the low score of 238. West fork shot 272. Nashua Plainfield’s Miranda Crabtree was runner up to Hillesheim with a 59. Nashua-Plainfield boys carded a 188. West Fork only fielded 3 golfers. Three golfers tied at 47 making them runners up to Liddle. They were Dillon Auchstetter and Drew Moine of Nashua Plainfield and Zach Laudner of West Fork. Continue reading Nashua-Plainfield golfers card home victories