Category: Floyd County

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

Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Storm blasts through region

Chris Baldus

NASHUA — Although 75 mph winds were reported in Nashua and 1-inch hail in Charles City, the severe thunderstorms that raced through the region Monday evening saved its worse for locales farther east.   In New Hampton, as a rainbow spread above Nashua, 2-inch hail fell in the hard rain and high winds. Those winds sped up to 82 mph by the time they reached Calmar in Winneshiek County. In Fayette County, roofs blew off in numerous areas. The National Weather Service Reports that 0.97 of an inch of rain fell on Rockford and 0.57 fell in Charles City. Click … Continue reading Storm blasts through region

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

Floyd County

Floyd County board to bill Chickasaw for VA services

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, May 8, in the Floyd County Courthouse Board Room . The agenda includes:  Discussing Fidelity Information Systems contract for Iowa Tax and Tags services Reviewing the bill to Chickasaw County for Veterans Affairs services  Noting the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center Audit report for FY16  Noting the receipt of DNR letter regarding determination of K&K Hogs, LLC Construction Permit Application  Continue reading Floyd County board to bill Chickasaw for VA services

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 

Charles City

Charle City hires  business office employee

Chris Baldus

CHARTLE CITY — The city has hired  Jane Michels as its new utility billing clerk at the city hall business office. Michels “brings a wealth of experience in municipal utilities from her previous job at Osage Municipal Utilities and lives near Osage,” a news release said.   She started her duties on April 24. You can welcome Jane when you come into city hall. Continue reading Charle City hires  business office employee

Floyd County

Win a kayak, run the trails at Tosanak Recreation Area open house on Saturday, May 6

Chris Baldus

MARBLE ROCK — Tosanak Recreation Area’s open house and 5K Trail run/walk is Saturday, May 6. The 5K Trail run/walk begins at 9 a.m. and is a great way to see the spring wildflowers in bloom along the trails. Open House events will include:  tram rides through the Park,  presentations on Bees (11 a.m.) and Pollinator Habitats (1 p.m.), Free will donation lunch,  youth activities (casting & archery),  hourly door prize drawings, and  a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a kayak.  Continue reading Win a kayak, run the trails at Tosanak Recreation Area open house on Saturday, May 6

Floyd County

Surgeon joins Floyd County Medical Center, begins seeing patients Monday

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A new general surgeon at Floyd County Medical Center will begin seeing patients on Monday, May 1, according to a mailing sent out from the hospital. It says Dr. Angela Van Gilder is joining the Charles City-based hospital’s department of surgery. A native of Des Moines, she has been practicing general surgery at Banner Gateway Hospital in Gilbert, Ariz., since 2014. Her clinical specialties and educational preparations include: General surgical procedures for all age groups Gastroenterology procedures Esophageal surgery Hernia repair Upper and lower endoscopy Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures Thyroid procedures C-sections and obstetrical Breast biopsies Sterilization … Continue reading Surgeon joins Floyd County Medical Center, begins seeing patients Monday

Charles City

Charles City Council to discuss Charley Western Trailway bridge demolition, replacement

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The bridge built early in the 20th century to carry cargo trains that much later became part of the Charley Western Trailway for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and more must go down and soon. A new bridge, however, should take its place. That’s the message City Administrator Steve Diers is bringing to the City Council tonight during its planning session, which begins at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall. No official votes are taken at these meetings. “It has been the unanimous opinion of those individuals that we have discussed the failure of the bridge with (that) there … Continue reading Charles City Council to discuss Charley Western Trailway bridge demolition, replacement

Charles City

Molstead Motors plans $1.3M expansion, seeks $38K tax rebate from city

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Mike Molstead Motors plans to expand with a 7,200-square-foot addition that will have nine new service bays. It is also asking the city for some help with the $1.3 million project in terms of tax rebates which could amount to nearly $38,000 over five years. The Charles City Council will discuss the request at it’s planning meeting tonight (Monday, April 24).  “Mike Molstead Motors has proven to be an exceptionally successful business enterprise at 1501 South Grand Avenue,” Charles City Area Development Corp. Executive Director Tim Fox wrote in a tax rebate application letter to the city. “It … Continue reading Molstead Motors plans $1.3M expansion, seeks $38K tax rebate from city

Floyd County

Floyd County Board to discuss law enforcement center

Chris Baldus

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors workshop meeting begins at 9 a.m. Monday, April 24, in the Floyd County Courthouse board room.In the wake of the Charles City Council deciding last week to withdraw from a partnership to build a joint law enforcement center, the supervisors will discuss the next step. The county is driven by reports from the state jail inspector, who said in 2013 that the 70-plus year e jail “does not meet the current needs of the staff or the public.” Delbert Longley, chief jail inspector, said he was urging the Board to make plans for the … Continue reading Floyd County Board to discuss law enforcement center

Charles City2 Comments

City to step away from joint facility with Floyd County

Chris Baldus

By Chris Baldus, NorthCedarReports.com CHARLES CITY — Floyd County will likely be on its own when it comes to updating its 70-plus year old jail. The Charles City Council will vote Monday on a recommendation to quit a partnership considering construction of a joint law enforcement center. “The city and county have been investigating an opportunity to share some needed additional space for the Police Department, Dispatch and the rest of city hall administrative and code enforcement functions along with their needs for a jail and other space,” City Administrator Steve Diers said in a memo for Monday’s meeting.  The … Continue reading City to step away from joint facility with Floyd County

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