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

CC School levy poised to dip

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City School District’s property tax rate will drop by 0.35 percent in fiscal year 2017-18 under the budget the School Board will review Monday. The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Charles City High School library. The budget will be voted on after a certified budget public hearing. Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox is recommending that be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 10, in the Charles City Middle School 7th grade learning studio. The agenda for Monday’s meeting summarizes the budget. It says the budget was developed using the 2017-18 Supplemental State Aid … Continue reading CC School levy poised to dip

Charles City

Sportsman’s Park picnic shelter in need of repair

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The years — not to mention flooding — have not been kind to the Sportsman’s Park picnic shelter. There is rotted wood to replace as well as a roof. The City Council on Monday will consider a $16,380 bid from Watertight Construction of Charles City for the repairs at its Monday planning session in City Hall. “We’ve budgeted improvement work for the shelter at Sportsman’s Park in the amount of $40,000,” City Administrator Steve Diers wrote in a memo to the council. “A substantial amount of that work was quoted to (Parks and Rec Director) Steve Lindaman in … Continue reading Sportsman’s Park picnic shelter in need of repair

Charles City, Sports

North beats South in 39th All Star dual in Charles City; N-P wrestler collects title in freestyle tournament

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The North All-Stars defeated the South All-Stars despite the victories of two Comets. The 39th annual senior North vs. South All Star Wresting Meet was held Saturday, March 25, in the Charles City School District’s competition gym. The Charles City Mat Club and the Iowa National Guard sponsored the tournament. The 2017 Charles City Freestyle Tournament was earlier on Saturday. More than 180 wrestlers from around the state competed. The North Iowa All-Stars defeated the South Iowa All-Stars 47-12, according to TrackWrestling.com. Half of the South All-Stars’ points came from two Charles City wrestlers, Nate Lasher and … Continue reading North beats South in 39th All Star dual in Charles City; N-P wrestler collects title in freestyle tournament

Charles City, Schools

CC musicians test themselves at day-long festival

Chris Baldus

Charles City High School musicians spent Saturday at Crestwood Junior and Senior High School performing in the Class 3A Iowa High School Music Association Solo/Ensemble Festival. Choir, band and orchestra students made the trip north. An initial bus left at 6 a.m. for the all-day festival. Judges critiqued each performance, giving on the spot reaction as well as written notes for the students to review later. Full results were not available at the time of this writing, but Charles City musicians collected many Division I ratings, including a saxophone choir, a low brass choir, a trumphet choir, and multiple individual … Continue reading CC musicians test themselves at day-long festival

Obituaries

Marcus Quade, founder of Quade Construction, passes at age 73

Chris Baldus

By Hauser Funeral Home Marcus Quade, 73, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A memorial service for Marcus Quade will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 3, 2017 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City with Pastor Bill Odermann officiating. Private family inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. A gathering of family and friends will be at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2017 and will continue one hour prior to the memorial service Monday … Continue reading Marcus Quade, founder of Quade Construction, passes at age 73

Obituaries

Alice Wendland passes at age 92

Chris Baldus

By Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services Alice Wendland age 92 of Nora Springs, formerly of Fredericksburg IA, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the Nora Springs Care Center. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg with Rev. Ronnie Koch presiding. Interment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery with Noah Wendland, Jacob Wendland, Isaac Wendland, Pat O’Hollearn, Matt O’Hollearn, Chris O’Hollearn, Kyle Wendland, Adam Mohling, Cory Mohling and Drew Wendland serving as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, … Continue reading Alice Wendland passes at age 92

Obituaries

Phyllis Schrader, singer for many weddings and funerals, passes at age 87

Chris Baldus

By Hauser Funeral Home Phyllis Schrader, 87, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Cedar Health in Charles City. A funeral service for Phyllis Schrader will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City with Pastor Jim Beranek officiating. Burial will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service Wednesday at the church. Phyllis Mae (Zingg) Schrader, the daughter of Emil and … Continue reading Phyllis Schrader, singer for many weddings and funerals, passes at age 87

Floyd County

Community celebrates grand opening of Youth Enrichment Center

Chris Baldus

The community turned out Friday night for the grand opening of the Gil and Donna White Charles City FFA Enrichment Center at the Floyd County Fairgrounds. Look over photos from the event and listen an interview with Chuck Staudt, a member of the project’s fundraising committee, about the building and what comes next. Continue reading Community celebrates grand opening of Youth Enrichment Center

Floyd County

CAFO worker safety standards on Floyd County’s March 28 agenda

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Worker safety is the focus of the latest proposal by Floyd County Supervisor Mark Kuhn to establish local standards within the state’s site evaluation tool for confined animal feeding operations. This latest proposal follows others requiring CAFO applicants and their agents attend a public hearings and wellhead protection measures. If applicants fail to attend a public hearing, the board would reject the CAFO’s construction permit. That doesn’t block construction though, just potentially complicates the state’s approval process. Adhering to wellhead protection would allow applicants to earn points off specific questions in the Master Matrix, the assessment tool … Continue reading CAFO worker safety standards on Floyd County’s March 28 agenda

Charles City, Schools

Charles  City National Honor Society inducts new members

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The membership of the 2016-17  Charles City National Honor Society is complete. New members were inducted Thursday night at a ceremony in the high school gymnasium.  Hanna Bjelica was the keynote speaker. She talked about her eight-week experience after graduating last year from Charles City High School. She was a World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan International Intern at the World Vegetable Center in Patancheru, India.  Bjelica encouraged the inductees to step beyond their comfort zones. This year’s inductees to the National Honor Society members are: Michael Andrews Theo Arndt Alysha Bilharz Bailee Bortz Marco Concepcion Gavin Connell Kelsi … Continue reading Charles  City National Honor Society inducts new members

Obituaries

Edna McCoy, 103, of Charles City

Chris Baldus

Edna McCoy, 103, of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City with her family by her side. A funeral Mass for Edna McCoy will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, 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 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017, with a Rosary beginning at 3 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass on Monday at … Continue reading Edna McCoy, 103, of Charles City

Charles City

Prichard forms exploratory committee for gubernatorial run

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, today announced the formation of a committee to explore a possible run for Iowa governor. “Iowa needs fresh leadership with the vision to drive meaningful econ growth across the entire state,” he posted on Twitter.   “Branstad/Reynolds have given up on creating quality jobs and growing wages in places like Charles City,” he also tweeted. “We can do better; we need a new vision.” Below is his biography that is posted on ToddPrichard.com: Representative Todd Prichard was born in Davenport, Iowa to Phil and Delaine Prichard. The Prichards were small business owners … Continue reading Prichard forms exploratory committee for gubernatorial run

Floyd County

Floyd County Attorney gives birth

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Attorney’s Office is celebrating today.  Faith Ginbey has arrived. An announcement of her birth is posted outside the office in the courthouse.  County Attorney Rachel Ginbey gave birth to Faith on Wednesday, March 22. Faith weighed 7 pounds, 14.6 ounces. Ginbey and her husband, Shannon, also have two young sons. Her staff suspects Ginbey will be back to work very soon. She was elected to the post in 2014. Continue reading Floyd County Attorney gives birth

Charles City

Bonjour! Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra to perform Springtime in Paris Concert on April 2

Chris Baldus

To North Cedar Reports  CHARLES CITY —  The Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra will be performing a Springtime in Paris Concert, Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at the 500 North Grand Auditorium in Charles City. The concert is free and open to the public. With conductor, John Chiles (Cedar Falls), the chamber orchestra will perform a repertoire of music from French composers. The concert will feature Megan Grey, a vocalist from Cedar Falls, Iowa, who will perform two pieces from the opera, Carmen, accompanied by the orchestra. She will also perform two solo pieces accompanied by pianist, Elisabed Imerlishvili, … Continue reading Bonjour! Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra to perform Springtime in Paris Concert on April 2

Charles City, Comets

CC boys track team collects titles at Luther College

Chris Baldus

DECORAH — The Charles City High School boys track team collected a few championships and personal bests Tuesday at Luther College.Brandon Bluhm in long jump and Adam Stewart in the 200M dash each returned as Northeast Iowa Conference Indoor Meet champs. Bluhm won long jump with a 20-01.25 in the finals. Stewart won the 200M dash with a 25.10 in the finals.  Gavin Connell beat his personal best by nearly 5 seconds in the mile. He ran a 10:24.73 for 2nd. The Comet 4×800 team of Carr, Pleggenkuhle, Deeter and Bachman beat their best time by 12 seconds. The Comet … Continue reading CC boys track team collects titles at Luther College

Charles City, Schools

CC Police investigate social media post reported by CCMS parent

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody Wednesday after allegedly making a threatening post against the Charles City Middle School. The school district sent an email to the community at 1:20 p.m. explaining that this morning a Charles City Middle School parent reported the “inappropriate social media post” to Charles City School District administration. “After reviewing the post, the District contacted the Charles City Police Department for assistance. The police and District investigated and determined there is no cause for alarm,” the email said. “Our cooperation with local law enforcement ensures student safety is our top priority.” … Continue reading CC Police investigate social media post reported by CCMS parent

Comets

CC girls track brings home indoor titles

Chris Baldus

DECORAH — The Charles City girls track and field team earned early season accolades Tuesday at Luther College. Katie Foster, Sara Martin,Tayler Schmidt, Sami Heyer and Whitney Martin returned from Decorah with indoor championships in their respective events. Foster placed first in the 200M dash with a finals time of 26.76. She was also a member Charles City’s 1600M distance medley relay team with Tayler Schmidt, Sami Heyer, and Whitney Martin that took first with a finals time of 4:36.37. Sara Martin of Charles City took first in the shot put finals with a throw of 38-11.00, a personal best. … Continue reading CC girls track brings home indoor titles