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
Comets1 Comment

Where they are now: Mara Forsyth powers Wartburg softball offense

Chris Baldus

WAVERLY, Iowa — Charles City graduate Mara Forsyth is more than a cornerstone of Wartburg College softball team’s offense. More accurately, she is the keystone. The junior infielder leads the 17-11 Knights in batting average among all players with more than two at-bats. In 28 games and 87 at-bats so far this season, Forsyth is batting .414. She leads in runs scored (32 of the team’s 179), runs batted in (43 of the team’s 153), home runs (10), and slugging percentage (.874). Forsyth is well on her way to eclipsing her sophomore season. After transferring from the University of Northern … Continue reading Where they are now: Mara Forsyth powers Wartburg softball offense

Nashua1 Comment

Y soccer season games begin

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Soccer season is in full swing in America’s Hometown. The Charles City Family Y youth soccer program has at least 300 players from grades kindergarten to 8th grade, roughly 60 are from the middle school grades. These are some photos from the first day of games this season at the College Grounds. They’ll be there again next week. Contact Chris Baldus about reprints at news@northcedarreports.com. Continue reading Y soccer season games begin

Nashua

State says Lindaman deserves a new trial

Chris Baldus

By Chris Baldus, news@northcedarreports.com Former Floyd County Magistrate Doug Lindaman, who is serving a 10-year sentence in an Iowa prison, has new hope that his third-degree sexual abuse conviction will be reversed and he will get a new trial. Lindaman, who has had a handful of his post- conviction relief motions denied, is now the beneficiary of a motion  from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to summarily reverse his conviction.  The Iowa Supreme Court will rule on the motion. The key issue is Lindaman’ decision to represent himself in his trial. The attorney general is supporting a motion from Lindaman that … Continue reading State says Lindaman deserves a new trial

Comets

Photos: CC hosts middle school boys track & field meet

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Comets played host Thursday, April 13, to boys middle school track and field teams from Cedar Falls Peet, Holmes Middle, Mason City John Adams Middle School (JAMS), and New Hampton. These are photos from some of the events. Click on the photo mosaic to open a slideshow. Photos By Chris Baldus Photo reprints are $5 for any size up to 1 by 10. Contact Chris Baldus at news@northcedarreports.com to place an order. Continue reading Photos: CC hosts middle school boys track & field meet

Comets

GOLF: N-P’s boys and girls take second

Chris Baldus

SHEFFIELD, Iowa — The Nashua-Plainfield boys and girls golf teams each placed second Thursday, April 13, at Ridge Stone Golf Club in Sheffield. The Osage boys shot 172 to take first over the Huskies at 206. West Fork fielded only three golfers, not enough to record a team score. Drew Olson of Osage was the medalist shooting a 41. The runner-up was Ben Grimm with a 42. Junior Dillon Auchstetter carded a 43, the top game for the Huskies. Osage’s girls placed first with 226. Nashua-Plainfield had a 237, followed by West Fork at 279. The medalist was Sophie Muller … Continue reading GOLF: N-P’s boys and girls take second

Obituaries2 Comments

Funeral for R-R-MR student, 14, will be Saturday

Chris Baldus

MASON CITY — Sydney Nikole Alcorn, 14 of Mason City, died in an automobile accident on Monday, April 10, 2017, in Mason City. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, with Rev. Kenneth Gehling officiating. Per her family’s wishes, Sydney’s body will be cremated following the service. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Family suggests memorial contributions to the Sydney Alcorn Memorial Fund. Sydney was born August 28, 2002, the daughter of April Regina Dakin of Mason City and … Continue reading Funeral for R-R-MR student, 14, will be Saturday

Nashua

Goodwill Donation Drive truck in Nashua April 21-24

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa —The Goodwill truck will be in Nashua accepting donations from April 21-24. The trailer will be parked behind City Hall for items. For information, call 319-234-4626. Goodwill ACCEPTS: books, furniture, computers, clothing, shoes, small working appliances, vases & pots, toys, plates, frames, VHS & DVD movies Goodwill CANNOT accept: large appliances, TV’s, hide-a-beds, beds & mattresses, carpets, construction materials, chemical products, tires, and live plants Click here for more information.  Continue reading Goodwill Donation Drive truck in Nashua April 21-24

Obituaries2 Comments

Mason City crash victim Zachery W. Hartley’s family to have private funeral service

Chris Baldus

Zachery W. Hartley, 20, of Mason City, IA, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, April 10, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Zachery Hartley memorial fund in care of the family. Zachery was born December 22, 1996, in Mason City. He graduated from Mason City High School in 2015. He worked for McKesson Corporation in Clear Lake, IA. Zach is survived by many family and friends. Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.   Other Mason City … Continue reading Mason City crash victim Zachery W. Hartley’s family to have private funeral service

Nashua

Your morning update for April 13: CC Prom Court announced, city leaving joint project with county, and a bridge hangs in the balance

Chris Baldus

The Charles City High School Prom Court has been named, and the future of the Charlie Western Trail Way bridge is in serious doubt. Good morning, it’s Thursday, April 13. WEATHER The national weather service forecast for today is Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 10 mph. TOP NEWS The Comets’ 2017 Prom Court includes king candidates: Dave Dejongoy, AJ Maloy, Zion Jordan, Alex Koehler, and Jaden Foster, and    queen … Continue reading Your morning update for April 13: CC Prom Court announced, city leaving joint project with county, and a bridge hangs in the balance

Obituaries2 Comments

Funeral for Mason City crash victim Alex Parvon-Charles Wiebke, 19, is Friday

Chris Baldus

MASON CITY — Alex Parvon-Charles Wiebke, 19, of Mason City, IA died Monday, April 10, 2017 due to injuries sustained in an accident. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. with a special time for classmates and friends between 4-5 pm on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with a one hour prior visitation on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Rhythm Church, 21 8th St SE, Mason City, with Pastor Beau Stringer officiating. Burial will follow at Britt Evergreen Cemetery in Britt, … Continue reading Funeral for Mason City crash victim Alex Parvon-Charles Wiebke, 19, is Friday

Nashua

Nashua Easter Egg Hunt begins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2017

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa — The annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by Nashua Women of Today is this coming Saturday, April 15, and is offering more than chocolate and other goodies. Children can be registered in drawings for 12 baskets donated by local businesses. The schedule for the hunt is: 9:45 a.m. — Easter Bunny arrives and children can be registered in drawings for 12 Grand Prize Easter Baskets sponsored by Nashua area businesses (Registrations will be sent home from school and available the day of). 9:50-10 a.m. — Children invited to find their age groups and play some games (Age groups … Continue reading Nashua Easter Egg Hunt begins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2017

Obituaries

Thomas L. Scoles, carpenter, veteran, dies at 67

Chris Baldus

NASHUA, Iowa — Thomas L. Scoles age 67 of Nashua died Monday, April 10, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua, with Rev. Bill Nielsen presiding. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery at a later date. Full military honors will be conducted by the Nashua V.F.W. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Monday, April 17, 2017, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Thomas … Continue reading Thomas L. Scoles, carpenter, veteran, dies at 67

COLUMNS

Mayor Erb: Clean-up Day, bridge collapse and rural revival

Chris Baldus

By Charles City Mayor Jim Erb It’s spring time in Iowa, the planting season is almost here and we have a lot to anticipate this year.  The question is where does one start?  One starts with Spring  Cleanup, which is basically the same opportunity for our residents as has been available in past years.  The Cleanup will occur on April 24, 25, 26, and 27.  The specifics of the collections will be posted at City Hall and also in the normal media locations.  After a winter  of accumulation of items, now is the time to gather unwanted items and have them … Continue reading Mayor Erb: Clean-up Day, bridge collapse and rural revival

Nashua

Your morning report: CC to discuss bridge tonight

Chris Baldus

An update on the crumbling 1910 railroad bridge along the Charley Western Trailway is on the agenda for tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting of the Charles City Council. Councilmen will also discuss the joint law enforcement concept. Good morning, it’s Wednesday, April 12. WEATHER From the National Weather Service for the Charles City area. Today — A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 63. South wind 9 to 13 mph. Tonight —Showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m. then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of showers … Continue reading Your morning report: CC to discuss bridge tonight

Obituaries

Bonita Staudt, farm wife and mother of 5 sons, passes at age 78

Chris Baldus

MARBLE ROCK, Iowa — Bonita J. Staudt, 78, of Marble Rock died Monday, April 10, 2017, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. A Funeral Mass for Bonita will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2017, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Roseville with Monsignor Brunken celebrating the Mass. Burial will be at Roseville Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Saint Mary’s Social Hall in Roseville from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2017 with a scripture service starting at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the social hall on Monday. … Continue reading Bonita Staudt, farm wife and mother of 5 sons, passes at age 78

Rockford

Rockford student among 5 killed in Mason City car crash

Chris Baldus

Remembrance service tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Mason City ROCKFORD — Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock student Sydney Nikole Alcorn, 14, is one of the five teenagers killed in an early morning car crash Monday, April 10. The Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock school district posted on its Facebook page today that North Iowa North Youth for Christ will host a remembrance service tonight “for Sydney” and the four other car accident victims. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Georgia Hanford MacNider Park in Mason City. The Mason City Police on Tuesday released the names of those killed in the early morning crash. They are all … Continue reading Rockford student among 5 killed in Mason City car crash

Floyd County

Floyd County rejects establishing local CAFO worker safety standards 

Chris Baldus

  CHARLES CITY  — A resolution to set some worker safety standards for confined animal feeding operations in Floyd County failed to pass at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisor Mark Kuhn offered the revised resolution on Tuesday after it was apparent at a previous supervisors meeting he did not have the support of either Supervisor Linda Tjaden or Chairman Doug Kamm. Despite his efforts to revise and the comments from an audience of less than a dozen people, Kuhn failed to get a second to his motion to pass the resolution to require CAFO operators to meet certain worker … Continue reading Floyd County rejects establishing local CAFO worker safety standards 

Schools

Morning report, April 11: New CC school building done under budget, district preps for high school project

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Construction of the new Charles City Middle School along with its parking lot and Comet Drive came in a $112,436 under budget, the School Board heard in a report at it’s meeting Monday night. The board approved a contract with Estes Construction to again take the lead as construction manager on a possible related construction project, the renovation or reconstruction of the high school.  Charles City officials are reviewing their options for what potentially is a catastrophic situation with the 1910 railroad bridge that today is a pedestrian crossing over the Cedar River as part of the … Continue reading Morning report, April 11: New CC school building done under budget, district preps for high school project

Charles City

Charles City closes river beneath crumbling bridge

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The crumbling of the old railroad bridge on the Charley Western Trail is not without a tinge of irony. “We approved an agreement just last Monday with a bridge engineering firm to inspect that bridge,” Charles City Administrator Steve Diers said Monday. “Needless to say we have more than inspection needs right now.” Age and repeated flooding appear to be the main culprit causing a middle arch to sag ant the paved trail to sink and break, according to Diers. “At this point we are looking at options,” he said. He issued this statement earlier: “The Charley … Continue reading Charles City closes river beneath crumbling bridge

Arts

Register for CC Shining Stars cheer, dance and stunt program by May 8

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A new season for the Charles City Shining Stars is right around the corner and registration is open. The Stars are children in grades 2-6. They learn cheer, dance and stunts from AACCA certified coach Marla Rima, who is also a high school cheer coach and a licensed teacher. “Team members will learn cheer, dance and stunt techniques,” Rima said in a flier distributed in March at the Charles City School District’s Community Connections Night. She added that it’s for “serious students only.” The objective is to “develop cheer and performance skills and prepare for public performances … Continue reading Register for CC Shining Stars cheer, dance and stunt program by May 8