Category: Floyd County

Floyd County

Floyd County rejects establishing local CAFO worker safety standards 

Chris Baldus

  CHARLES CITY  — A resolution to set some worker safety standards for confined animal feeding operations in Floyd County failed to pass at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisor Mark Kuhn offered the revised resolution on Tuesday after it was apparent at a previous supervisors meeting he did not have the support of either Supervisor Linda Tjaden or Chairman Doug Kamm. Despite his efforts to revise and the comments from an audience of less than a dozen people, Kuhn failed to get a second to his motion to pass the resolution to require CAFO operators to meet certain worker … Continue reading Floyd County rejects establishing local CAFO worker safety standards 

Charles City

Charles City closes river beneath crumbling bridge

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The crumbling of the old railroad bridge on the Charley Western Trail is not without a tinge of irony. “We approved an agreement just last Monday with a bridge engineering firm to inspect that bridge,” Charles City Administrator Steve Diers said Monday. “Needless to say we have more than inspection needs right now.” Age and repeated flooding appear to be the main culprit causing a middle arch to sag ant the paved trail to sink and break, according to Diers. “At this point we are looking at options,” he said. He issued this statement earlier: “The Charley … Continue reading Charles City closes river beneath crumbling bridge

Charles City

Charles City announces city-wide clean-up dates

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY -— The dates have been set for this year’s spring clean up! April 24, 25, 26 and 27 are the dates with mattresses and box springs being picked up on April 24. As in past years, the city asks hat you do not set out items before April 22. If you violate this rule, you may be subject to a nuisance citation. For the full list of guidelines and other pertinent information, click here. Continue reading Charles City announces city-wide clean-up dates

Charles City

New CCPD officers now gun certified

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Charles City’s newest police officers are now certified with guns.According to a post on the police department’s Facebook page Reserve Officer Dustin Haberkorn of Charles City and full-time Officer Nathan Cork out of Illinois spent Wednesday at the gun range with certified firearms instructor Brad Bilharz, also a Charles City police officer. “They both did excellent, shooting hundreds of rounds each in the cool and muddy conditions and still came away with great scores,” the post said. Continue reading New CCPD officers now gun certified

Charles City

Iowa Supreme Court Justices to meet with Charles City area students

Chris Baldus

News release On Tuesday, April 4, and Wednesday, April 5, justices of the Iowa Supreme Court will meet with students from seven Charles City area schools to discuss the Iowa judicial system and the role of the courts in Iowa. The justices will visit with students in Tripoli, Hampton, Charles City, Fairbank, Iowa Falls, Dike, and Parkersburg. High School Visit Schedule Tuesday, April 4 — 12:30 pm: Justice Zager will visit Tripoli Middle/Senior High School in Tripoli Wednesday, April 5 —  8:15 am: Justice Hecht will visit Hampton-Dumont High School in Hampton 9:10 am: Justice Appel will visit Charles City … Continue reading Iowa Supreme Court Justices to meet with Charles City area students

Charles City

Chamber Orchestra brings Paris to Charles City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — A Parisian spring was in full bloom Sunday, April 2, in Charles City. Mezzo soprano Megan Grey and the Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra under the direction of John Chiles filled the 500 N. Grand Auditorium with the musical artistry for which it was created. The orchestra opened its free admission “Springtime in Paris” concert with “Grand Valse Brillante. OP 18” by Frederic Chopin, followed by “Sicilienne” from “Pelleas et Melisande” by Gabriel Faure and arranged by Jeff Manookian, “Serenade, OP.7” by Gabriel Pierre, and “Pavane Poor Une Infante Defunte” by Maurice Ravel and arranged by Carl … Continue reading Chamber Orchestra brings Paris to Charles City

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 

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 

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 

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