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
Nashua

Your morning update for Friday, March 31

Chris Baldus

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 31, in the North Cedar River region. The National Weather Service forecast for today calls for cloudy skies with a high near 49. A north wind will blow 11 to 14 mph. Tonight, the mostly cloudy skies will gradually become mostly clear, with a low around 32. The North wind will blow 3 to 7 mph. “Kong: Skull Island” opens tonight at the Charles Theater. Showtime is 7 p.m. Your calendar of local events is below. Posting to this events calendar is free. Send information about your event to calendar@northcedarreports.com. Friday, March 31 Fish Fry, 5:30- … Continue reading Your morning update for Friday, March 31

Rockford, Schools

R-R-MR students inducted in National Honor Society 

Chris Baldus

ROCKFORD — The RUMAROCK chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 18 new members Thursday, March 30, at a ceremony in Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School. The new members are Kyrstin Brunner, Ella Carroll, Elizabeth Fullerton, Olivia Harden, Kari Jeffrey, Wesley Johnson, Clay Kuhlemeier, Morgan Krull, Marissa Norby, Emily Reams, Colbie Schmitt, Trishyn Shaw, Megan Staudt, Shelby Wiegmann, Sadie Arickx, Jayden Jorgensen, Jenna Paulus and Jamie Schuster. They join active members Kelsey Andersen, Samuel Arickx, Sydney Fullerton, Theresa Jones, Nichole Kiefer, Annaka Noss, Mackenzi Rooney, Elizabeth Schweizer, Kylee Smith, Alyssa Staudt, Amber Staudt, Emma Staudt, Kelli Wicks, Zachary Bushbaum, Katie Hirv, … Continue reading R-R-MR students inducted in National Honor Society 

Comets

Hurdling in the halls

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Just because it’s wet and cold outside doesn’t mean Comets are going to ditch track practice. The Charles City High School girls and their coach, Darren Bohlen, improvised by setting up up hurdles in the hallway outside the principal’s office. Without the markings that are on the Comet Stadium track, they used a tape measure to get the right distance between hurdles. The team’s next competition is Monday, April 3, in Osage. The meet begins at 4:30 p.m. Continue reading Hurdling in the halls

Nashua

Charles City School Board unofficial minutes from March 27 — Includes budget and high school project discussion

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, March 27, 2017, in the Charles City High School (HS) library. President Dight called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Board members Walker, Macomber and Winterink and student director Salinas. Absent: Board member Frisbie. Staff members present included Superintendent Dr. Cox and Board Secretary O’Brien. Also present were approximately 21y visitors and staff. The Mission statement was read by Director Walker.  (Winterink/Macomber) to approve the agenda as amended. The appointment of the family consumer science teacher is amended from grades 7-12 to grades 5-12. Motion carried 4-0.  … Continue reading Charles City School Board unofficial minutes from March 27 — Includes budget and high school project discussion

Charles City, Schools1 Comment

CCHS teacher raises alarm about student exchange funding 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A Charles City High School teacher sent out an emergency plea today seeking the help of students and parents in preserving a student exchange program with Germany.  German language teacher Marilyn Buttjer in an email and an address to classes asked people to sign an online petition to save funding important to Charles City’s German American Partnership Program. “President Trump has proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of State which would directly impact educational and cultural exchanges,” her email said. “Act now and ask your Senator to sign onto Cory Booker’s letter to the Senate State, … Continue reading CCHS teacher raises alarm about student exchange funding 

Nashua

Your morning update, Thursday, March 30

Chris Baldus

The Comet jazz band returns to its early morning practice sessions after a sold-out Jivin With Jazz on Tuesday, spring field burnings are on hold as rain and gusty winds have taken root and the Rockford National Honor Society will induct new members tonight. Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 30, in the North Cedar River region. The National Weather Service forecast for today includes cloudy skies with a high near 40 and scattered showers, mainly after 11 a.m. It will be breezy, with a northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.  Also today, Charles … Continue reading Your morning update, Thursday, March 30

Charles City

Chickfest is Saturday in Charles City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Chickfest 2017 begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1, wrapping up at 4 p.m. The Charles City Area Chamber of Comerce describes it as “a fun-filled day of shopping, pampering, and a day out with the girls, friends, and family.” The first 150 participants through the Chamber doors at 401 N. Main St. that morning receive a ChickFest Swag Bag! Each Swag Bag is full of goodies, treats, deals, coupons, and more from participating ChickFest businesses. ChickFest 2017 Participants Participating ChickFest Businesses: Charles City Electronics Comet Bowl Darbe & Co. Boutique First Citizens Bank Furniture Barn, The … Continue reading Chickfest is Saturday in Charles City

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Wet and windy weather tonight

Chris Baldus

  CHARLES CITY — This morning area communities sounded their sirens as part of a statewide test of our tornado preparedness. Media outlets assured that there was no severe weather in the forecast. Well, tonight’s weather doesn’t break into that threshold, but it has inspired a “special weather statement” for the counties of Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton. “Winds are expected to be gusty this evening, in the 30 to 40 mph range. Drivers will likely feel the impact of the winds on their vehicle, especially on north-south roads. Ensure any loose outdoor yard items are secured. Be ready for … Continue reading Wet and windy weather tonight

Charles City, Schools

Teens face felonies in CCMS incident

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Two 14-year-olds — a girl and a boy — and one 15-year-old boy age facing felony terrorism charges. The 15-year-old boy was taken into custody last Wednesday after a Charles City Middle School parent reported an “inappropriate” post on social media linked to him. Middle school students told North Cedar Reports the post threatened violence against the school. Charles City Police continued their investigation which led them to the 14 year olds who were taken into custody on Thursday and remanded to juvenile authorities, police report. The trio were charged with the class D felony of making … Continue reading Teens face felonies in CCMS incident

Charles City, Schools

Jivin’ with Jazz keeps program in the groove

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Jivin’ with Jazz attracted a full house Tuesday night at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. The major fundraiser for the Charles City High School jazz band program included a performance by the school’s new jazz choir, Rhymes With Orange. It was also an occasion to put the spotlight on the band’s seniors, introduce middle school musicians and remember a lost friend. The placemats at the tables were designed for the 2011 Jivin’ with Jazz by jazz band member Trent Smith, who died in a crash last year on the Avenue of the Saints. This year’s … Continue reading Jivin’ with Jazz keeps program in the groove

Floyd County

Floyd County asks DNR to investigate Rudd hog confinement 

Chris Baldus

— CHARLES CITY — Whether a hog confinement building was put up too close to a neighbor’s wells in Rudd Township is a question for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to answer, the Floyd County Board decided Tuesday morning. By a 3-0 vote, the county supervisors decided the complaint by Jeff and Gail Schwarzkopf against Brandon and Casey Wood’s Candon Finisher Farm confined feeding operation building is valid and should be investigated by the DNR. The Schwartzkopfs’ allegation is that the hog confinement building is in violation of the minimum distance from a well. “We believe the distance between … Continue reading Floyd County asks DNR to investigate Rudd hog confinement 

Charles City

Charles City: Ignore the hype, don’t flush the wipe

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — City of Charles City officials have a request: Don’t flush even those “flushable” wipes. They are clog cornerstones. The city has posted its request on its website: “No matter what the package says, please don’t flush wipes labeled as ‘flushable’ down the city sewer. These materials can cause major problems in the sewer system and most importantly, plug up a homeowner’s service line and force them to pay to have them removed.” The notice includes a TV station’s photograph showing a sewer pipe from another community nearly half clogged with wipes. “Please don’t flush any type of … Continue reading Charles City: Ignore the hype, don’t flush the wipe

Floyd County

Learn acrylic painting April 27 at nature center in Rockford 

Chris Baldus

ROCKFORD — Artists for centuries have turned to nature for inspiration. An upcoming program at the Fossil and Prairie Nature Center in Rockford aims to help you join the group.Learn acrylic painting Thursday, April 27, when Creative Spirits Okoboji comes to the nature center.  Beginning at 6 p.m., Floyd County naturalist Heidi Reams will open with a presentation on seeds. An artist from Creative Spirits will guide participants step by step in painting “Dandelion Magic.” Participants get to customize it by choosing their own colors though. Creative Spirits will provide all of the supplies for each person to complete an … Continue reading Learn acrylic painting April 27 at nature center in Rockford 

Nashua

CCMS tries to make lost items found

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Wondering where your middle schooler’s black and red high tops went? How about that Tampa Bay stocking cap? Well, it might be in the Charles City Middle School lost and found, but it won’t be much longer. The school posted a video on its Facebook page that shows the many items of clothing and more in hopes owners will come get them. “All of these items will be donated to The Treasure Chest by the end of the week if they are not claimed,” the post said. Click here for the video https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1945004155778699&id=1942608709351577&_rdr Continue reading CCMS tries to make lost items found

Charles City

CCPD adds full-time and reserve officers

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Dustin Haberkorn of Charles City and Nathan Cork out of Illinois are the newest members of the Charles City Police Department. Haberkorn is a new reserve officer and Cork was hired as a full-time officer. “We rely on our reserve officers for many different aspects of the job,” a CCPD Facebook post said Monday announcing the filled positions. “We really appreciate them. Dustin will fit right in.” Cork “will bring many strong attributes to the job.” Continue reading CCPD adds full-time and reserve officers

Calendar

Coming up this week … and beyond

Chris Baldus

Posting to this events calendar is free. Send information about your event to calendar@northcedarreports.com.   Monday, March 27 No school for Charles City schools All-State Individual Speech Festival, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., UNI CC and IC parent-teacher conferences, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. North Butler Spring Softball, 5-6:30 p.m., NB Elementary Gym in Allison CC School Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., CCMS 7th grade learning studio   Tuesday, March 28 Rockford softball pitching and catching practice, 6:45 a.m. in the Rockford big gym. N-P, Rockford, Clarksville and North Butler girls and boys track and field, 4:30 p.m., at Nashua-Plainfield stadium CC … Continue reading Coming up this week … and beyond