Category: Charles City

Charles City

Charles City remembers fallen family, friends and generations 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — This Memorial Day Ceremony at the Floyd County Courthouse was different. At the same time, it wasn’t. Veteran Art White guided it along, as he has for years, praising the high school band for coming and the FFA for posting the U.S. Flags throughout the city. Boy Scouts raised and lowered  the colors. A local minister presented prayers. The American Legion Auxiliary placed a wreath in the Floyd County Veterans Memorial. Charles City Mayor Jim Erb read a proclamation. And as taps sounded, an honor guard of local veterans fired off three sets of shots. Only this … Continue reading Charles City remembers fallen family, friends and generations 

Charles City, Charles City Schools

‘Placemaker’ could be answer to former Charles City Middle School problem

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The clamor of sneakers on polished terrazzo floors, lockers slapping shut, and fledgling teenagers chattering is gone. Hollow echoes mostly fill the former home of the Charles City Middle School. It’s been nearly a full school year since CCMS moved to its new campus. Despite all the meetings and professional study of community facilities, needs and wants, the future of the 1931 art deco building at 500 N. Grand Ave remains uncertain. Charles City Administrator Steve Diers suggests that a professional “placemaker” might be the missing link to getting city and school district leaders to finally back … Continue reading ‘Placemaker’ could be answer to former Charles City Middle School problem

Charles City

Lions Field Pool to open for Memorial Day

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Lions Field Pool will open for the 2017 season at 1 p.m. Monday, May 29, but then it will close until school is out for the summer. Because school is still in session in Charles City, the pool will be closed Tuesday, May 30, through Friday, June 2, and will reopen Saturday, June 3, for the season.   General swim hours are 1-7 p.m. daily. The pool may close early on days of inclement weather, or when the water or air temperatures are below 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  Call the pool at 641-257-1188 with questions or for emergencies, … Continue reading Lions Field Pool to open for Memorial Day

Charles City

Floyd County’s prosecutor wants Lindaman’s retrial to begin ASAP

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY – Floyd County’s lead prosecutor wants Doug Lindaman back in district court as soon as possible. The Iowa Supreme Court last week reversed Lindaman’s April 2016 conviction by a jury of third-degree sexual abuse, sending the case back to Floyd County District Court for retrial. County Attorney Rachel Ginbey, filed a request on Tuesday, May 23, to have the case added to the trial list and “resent at the earliest possible date for trial.” Lindaman, a former Floyd County magistrate who lost his law license after two convictions in the late 1980s for lascivious acts with minors, has … Continue reading Floyd County’s prosecutor wants Lindaman’s retrial to begin ASAP

Charles City

Charles City Police hunting robber 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The police are seeking the public’s help in solving a robbery from over the weekend. The Charles City Police issued this statement:  “At about 12:14 a.m., Sunday morning the CCPD took a report of an armed robbery at a business in the 600 block of South Main Street. A white male subject displayed a weapon and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was harmed during the incident. The CCPD is asking for the public’s assistance on the incident. A reward up to $400 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction … Continue reading Charles City Police hunting robber 

Arts, Charles City

Artist assembling ‘Revival’ in Charles City’s Victory Park

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Of all the things artist David Williamson has done to the debris of Charles City’s iconic suspension bridge, he did not bend and twist heavy angle iron. That was done for him by the raging Cedar River in 2008. Williamson over the past week has been putting together the sculpture called “Revival” in Victory Park. It is the result of the community-wide art project Building With The Bridge. Williamson met with students, service clubs and as many residents as possible in designing the sculpture made from the wreckage of Charles City’s iconic suspension bridge that was swept … Continue reading Artist assembling ‘Revival’ in Charles City’s Victory Park

Charles City

Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Convicted sex offender and former county and school board candidate Doug Lindaman is getting a new trial because he was not adequately warned about the dangers of representing himself. Lindaman was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse by a Floyd County jury on April 12, 2016. He is serving an up-to-10-year prison sentence and on release he was to be placed on the sex offender registry. In an order filed Friday, May 19, the three-judge panel of Iowa Supreme Court Justices Brent R. Appel, Thomas Waterman and Bruce B. Zager agreed with Lindaman’s appeal for a new trial … Continue reading Iowa Supreme Court panel orders new trial for Doug Lindaman

Charles City

Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: The Charles City Council planning session in which Rachel Colsch request to keep chickens at her home at 223 Charles St. has been postponed. -——  CHARLES CITY — A woman seeking permission to keep chickens in her backyard explains in a letter that they are dear family pets. “These are all my pets,” Rachel Colsch of 223 Charles St. wrote. “They are very special to me and I love them dearly.” Her request is scheduled to be discussed Monday, May 22, at the Charles City Council’s planning session in City Hall. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. In a … Continue reading Charles City woman asks to keep pet chickens within city limits

Charles City

In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Chris Baldus

This story appeared in the Monday, May 18, 1914, Charles City Intelligencer. SEVERELY INJURED BY FROLICKING DOGS MRS JACKSON WOOD IS THROWN TO PAVEMENT SATURDAY Mrs. Jackson Wood, a well-known resident of west Kelly Street, met with a very serious accident last Saturday afternoon while downtown shopping. The lady, who is well-along in years, was passing in front of the Burns grocery when she was run into and thrown to the pavement by several dogs at play on the sidewalk, with the result that she sustained a broken hip, a fractured left wrist, a number of body bruises and contusions … Continue reading In Floyd County history: The problem with frolicking dogs

Arts, Charles City

Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The final performance conducted by retiring Orchestra Director Nancy Western was by the Charles City Middle School orchestra Tuesday night in the 500 N. Grand Auditorium. The school’s band and orchestra performed their annual spring  concert. ORCHESTRA BAND Continue reading Photo Galleries: Charles City Middle School spring band and orchestra concert

Arts, Charles City

$50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Indiana limestone steps were stacked out of the way on Jackson Street Tuesday morning as the crew from Renaissance Restoration assessed the job beneath the Charles City Arts Center’s front door. Bricks were easily plucked out of crumbling mortar in the  walls that held up the steps. The task was beginning to look bigger than first thought. “Right now we are under contract for about $50,000 in repair work,” City Administrator Steve Diers told Reports. “That amount is likely to increase as some of supporting brick has been found to be in poor condition and will … Continue reading $50K price tag for Arts Center steps project likely to rise

Charles City

Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Promising to be a governor for all Iowans, Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, launched his bid for Iowa governor Tuesday morning at Aromas coffee shop. “I am running for governor to create economic growth across the entire state,” he was quoted on campaign literature dotting tables as he spoke. “We need to invest in our rural communities, increase wages for Iowa workers and provide free universal community college to grow Iowa’s economy. Our state needs new leadership with a bold vision to help all of us, including those that have left behind for too long.” It was … Continue reading Prichard launches gubernatorial campaign

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

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

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

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

Charles City

Downtown Charles City streets to be closed beginning at 3 a.m. for RAGBRAI vendor set up 

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — With more than 20,000 bicyclist coming to Charles City on Wednesday July 26, the city is making plans for vendors to get set up. All downtown streets will be closed after 3 a.m. on July 25. The city recommends all food vendors set up between 6-8 a.m. on July 26 to allow enough time for inspections and to be ready for early participants.  The busiest time will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. as this is when most participants eat dinner, according to the city’s RAGBRAI website. The beverage garden will remain open until midnight and the … Continue reading Downtown Charles City streets to be closed beginning at 3 a.m. for RAGBRAI vendor set up