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

CC Orchestra prepares for spring concert within crowded auditorium schedule

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The single violin flitters up and down a set of measures, repeating them to perfect the tone and character. Chatter fills in the background as a low thrumming. Cases click open. More violinists start their tuning. Cellos join in the cacophony, until the conductor, John Chiles, motions. The silence is a void soon filled by talk of programs and an introduction of the orchestra’s guest. It’s practice night at the 500 N. Grand Auditorium for the Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra. Since its inception, the orchestra has fluctuated between 10 and 15 members. It’s at the high water … Continue reading CC Orchestra prepares for spring concert within crowded auditorium schedule

Charles City, Schools

UPDATE: CCMS parking lot project advances

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City School Board approved an agreement with Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. for professional services in the Charles City Middle School new parking lot project. The contract is capped at $30,600 The parking lot plan so far is to add 50 more parking spaces to the west of the middle school. The estimated cost is $160,374. It’s construction would begin in mid-May.   The board approved the west parking lot project as part of the summer of 2017 capital projects to be paid from sales tax and physical plant and equipment levy funds, according to district administration. Superintendent … Continue reading UPDATE: CCMS parking lot project advances

Community

Cedar Ridge Golf Course announces lessons, membership rates

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The new owners of Cedar Ridge Golf Course, Cary A. and Dena Perez are announcing some of the changes they are implementing. For one, Cary Perez, a PGA professional, will offer private and group instruction for players of all ages and abilities, according to the course’s website. Click here to see membership rates.     Call today to book a tee time at (641) 228-6465 Continue reading Cedar Ridge Golf Course announces lessons, membership rates

Charles City, Schools

UPDATE: CC School Calendar approved, eliminates late-start Wednesdays

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City School Board approved the 2017-18 calendar at Monday’s meeting. Click on calendar to see it in full. A major change in it is the elimination of the hour late start on Wednesdays. The calendar also makes the start time for all the buildings 8:20 a.m. The elementary schools dismiss at 3:10 a.m. The middle and high school dismiss at 3:20 a.m. The first day of school is Aug. 23. Continue reading UPDATE: CC School Calendar approved, eliminates late-start Wednesdays

Charles City, Sports

Time to think youth baseball! Registration open for CC youth league

Chris Baldus

The Charles City Youth Baseball League is accepting player registrations online until  6 p.m. April 10. Visit: http://ccyb.activesports.com/ to register. The league has four divisions: Pony (grades K-1), Farm (grades 2-3), Minor (grades 4-5) and Major (grades 6-7). Registration fee is $25 according to the website. League details and the 2017 team schedules will be posted on the website after April 18. The practice schedule is: Pony League on Tuesday and Thursday Farm League on Monday and Wednesday Minor League on Tuesday and Thursday Major League on Monday and Wed For additional information or questions, contact Aaron Hanson at 641-257-8942 or aaronhanson77@gmail.com The league … Continue reading Time to think youth baseball! Registration open for CC youth league

Calendar, Schools

CC Schools hosting night to connect students with spring and summer programs

Chris Baldus

The Charles City School District is inviting middle school students and their families to its first Community Connections Night from 5:30-7 p.m. at the middle school commons and gymnasium. It will feature many of the community’s organizations catering to spring and summer programs for students.  Organizations will share information about how middle school students can be involved in their programs. Many will have sign-ups available this night. This is a “fair style” event so come and go as you need. A free meal will be provided. The district asks that you RSVP at the link provides so it has enough food. … Continue reading CC Schools hosting night to connect students with spring and summer programs

Floyd County

Midway Bridge boat access could be ready by July

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A new boat ramp into the Cedar River could be ready as early as July. The river access will be next to the Midway Bridge south of Charles City. A state grant will cover $9,900 of the $13,300 estimated cost of the access. Floyd County will provide $3,400, according to minutes of the Floyd County Conservation Board. The Water and Recreational Fuel Tax Grant requires the 25 percent March. The DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will likely issue permits in April, Conservation Director Adam Sears told the Conservation Board last month. Hopefully the construction will … Continue reading Midway Bridge boat access could be ready by July

Nashua

First day of spring reaches a high of 61, not a record

Chris Baldus

As nice as the weather was today in the Charles City area, the high temperature of 61 did not break the record set in 1918 of 73 degrees. It was also the first day of spring. The second day of spring will be cooler and more cloudy. The National Weather Service forecast for the next few days is: Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North wind 9 to 14 mph. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. North wind around 10 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with … Continue reading First day of spring reaches a high of 61, not a record

Charles City, Floyd County

New owners of Cedar Ridge Golf Course get liquor license

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Floyd County granted a liquor license to new Cedar Ridge Golf Course owners Cary A. and Dena Perez. The Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 for a class C liquor license. It’s term would be 8 months effective from March 20. Auditor Gloria Carr said the owners were hoping to have it in place in time for an April 5 event. Continue reading New owners of Cedar Ridge Golf Course get liquor license

Chickasaw County

Body of missing Fredericksburg woman found

Chris Baldus

FREDERICKSBURG, Iowa — The body of a missing Fredericksburg woman has been found. The Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing woman last seen Friday evening in Fredericksburg. The Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help in finding Sheila Ludwig, 67. She was last seen Friday wearing dark gray sweatpants, a purple crew neck sweatshirt, and winter boots. She was diabetic and insulin dependent. “If you have not heard, the search has officially ended,” Fredericksburg Mayor Shain Kroenecke posted on the city’s Facebook page at about 11:30 a.m. Monday. Her cause of death has not been … Continue reading Body of missing Fredericksburg woman found

Calendar

So, what’s happening today

Chris Baldus

Charles City, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock, and Nashua-Plainfield students are back in school after spring break. The Charles Theatre is showing “Rock Dog” at 7 p.m. The Floyd County Board of Supervisors will meet at 10 a.m. with the Chickasaw County Board in New Hampton before returning to the Floyd County Courthouse at 12:30 p.m. for a special meeting. Preview The Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School Board meets at 5:30 p.m. The Floyd County Board of Health meets at 6 p.m. Preview The Charles City School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. in the 7th grade studio area at CCMS. Calendar | CCMS parking lot |Enrollment drop … Continue reading So, what’s happening today

Rockford

Floyd County Fair queen tied for state’s best high jump

Chris Baldus

  —- ROCKFORD — Spectators in Ames on March 13 saw royalty ascend to atop  Iowa’s high jump leaderboard. Alyssa Staudt of Rockford, the 2016 Floyd County Fair queen, is in a four-way tie for the best high jump by a girl in Iowa so far this season. Staudt, a senior at Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School, cleared 5-06.00. Her personal best last season was 5-05.00. The three other girls sharing the no. 1 spot as of Sunday, March 19, according to Quik Stats Iowa, are sophomore Sydney Durbin of OA-BCIG, senior Josie Durr of Solon, and sophomore Stacey Slaven of … Continue reading Floyd County Fair queen tied for state’s best high jump

Charles City, Sports

At least 160 CC students playing spring sports; 7 Comets go to play soccer on Mason City teams

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Charles City School District spring sports coaches say there are 33 girls out for tennis, 71 girls in track, and 56 boys in track, Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox said in a recent tweet. Girls and boys golf are just starting this week. There are also six boys and one girl from Charles City High School are traveling to Mason City this year to play it’s high school teams.  This is the first season Charles City girls have been able to join the Mason City girls soccer team. Continue reading At least 160 CC students playing spring sports; 7 Comets go to play soccer on Mason City teams

Sports

Comet track teams compete at Luther College Tuesday; season bests update

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City High School girls and boys varsity track and field teams travel Tuesday, March 21 to Luther College in Decorah. Competition begins at 5 p.m. They will compete against Crestwood, Decorah, New Hampton, Oelwein, Waukon and Waverly-Shell Rock, according to the school’s activity calendar. Below are Charles City’s up-to-top five scores in each event in which Comets competed so far this year. The top score in the state so far is in parentheses. BOYS 200 Meter Dash 1. Jaden Foster, 24.50 2. Dylan Koresh, 25.76 3. Tyreque Baker, 28.07 4. Elliott Sinnwell, 28.15 (State best: … Continue reading Comet track teams compete at Luther College Tuesday; season bests update

Schools

Plan to add parking at Charles City Middle School advancing

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — If you’ve been to a sporting event at the new competition gym added to the Charles City High School campus along with the new middle school, you’ve seen the problem. Parked vehicles flow out of the parking lot clogging the Comet Drive and beyond. The School Board is considering a plan to add 50 more parking spaces to the west of the middle school. The estimated cost is $160,374. It’s construction would begin in mid-May. Tentative plans for the new lot have been prepared by Terry McCarthy of Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc., which will present its cost estimates … Continue reading Plan to add parking at Charles City Middle School advancing

Schools

Charles City School District enrollment drops in March 1 count

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Enrollment counts fluctuate throughout public school years. The trend for Charles City Community Schools is downward so far this year. The latest enrollment summary shows a loss of four students between the Oct. 1 count and the March 1 count, bringing the school year-to-date total to 17 students down. Washington Elementary, which serves pre-kindergarten through grade 2, has 344, students, the same as it did in October. That population did rise and fall over the months, however. The high school and Carrie Lane program, with 500 students in March, is down 15 from from Oct. 1 The middle … Continue reading Charles City School District enrollment drops in March 1 count

Floyd County

Hog facility, engineer contract and litigation on Floyd County Board agenda Monday

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A construction permit for a new hog facility, the county engineer’s contract, and a closed session about litigation are on the agenda for a special meeting Monday of the Floyd County Board. County supervisors will begin their day in a special meeting with the Chickasaw County Board at 10 a.m. in the Chickasaw County Courthouse in New Hampton. The counties are partners in a contract to employ Dustin Rolando as the engineer for both. Supervisors will discuss his contract for fiscal year 2018. The Floyd County Board will reconvene at 12:30 p.m. in the Floyd County Courthouse. … Continue reading Hog facility, engineer contract and litigation on Floyd County Board agenda Monday

Charles City Schools, Schools

CCHS Class of 2017 members up for approval Monday

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City School Board on Monday, March 20, is scheduled to vote on this list of 2017 Charles City High School graduating seniors: Adkisson, Whitney Anthony, Nathan Bedford Forrest Ayers, Olivia Lee Babtsov, Nika Bilharz, Alysha Joy Bilharz, Brittany Lee Bilharz, Emilee Jean Bilharz, Madelyn Irene Bill, Jaylen Allen Bontemps, Sandra Celine Brinkman, Collin Matthew Calixtro, Ana Marie Carey, Helen Brianna Ceja, Ezequiel Clay, Devin Arthur Cleveland, Dalton Basil Cole, McKayla Jo Cormeny, Brandon Cother, Hunter Mackenzie Cotton, Mija Selene Crawford, Jeb Jacob Crooks, Kelsi Elizabeth Cross, Marquis KiTray Cuccuini, Cody John Davis, Madison Ann Dejongoy, … Continue reading CCHS Class of 2017 members up for approval Monday

Schools

Charles City School Board eliminates late-start Wednesdays as it approves 2017-18 school calendar

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City School Board approved the 2017-18 calendar at Monday’s meeting. Click on calendar to see it in full. A major change in it is the elimination of the hour late start on Wednesdays. The calendar also makes the start time for all the buildings 8:20 a.m. The elementary schools dismiss at 3:10 a.m. The middle and high school dismiss at 3:20 a.m. The first day of school is Aug. 23.   FORMER STORY from March 18 CHARLES CITY — Monday, March 20, is the day to voice concerns about the proposed 2017-18 school calendar. The Charles City School Board will … Continue reading Charles City School Board eliminates late-start Wednesdays as it approves 2017-18 school calendar

Floyd County

Dangerous dog ordinance, influenza update on Monday’s Floyd County Health Board meeting agenda

Chris Baldus

A dangerous dog ordinance, an influenza update and 2017-18 budget reviews are on the agenda for the 6 p.m., Monday, March 20, Floyd County Board of Health meeting in Public Health/Home Health Care office at 1003 Gilbert St. Charles City. The board’s next meeting is May 15 Continue reading Dangerous dog ordinance, influenza update on Monday’s Floyd County Health Board meeting agenda