Baur joins Register staff

GRUNDY CENTER – Once Nick Baur started to understand that writing was what he wanted to do with his life after college, he knew what his dream job would be.

“I knew I wanted to work for a small, local newspaper,” Baur said. “Find interesting stories that are important, and work on my craft.”

He started his role as The Grundy Register’s new news reporter this week.

Baur is a December 2021 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, an English major graduating with honors. He was also a staff writer on the campus newspaper, the Northern Iowan, beginning in August 2020 up through his graduation.

He grew up on a family farm in Van Meter with two older brothers, Matt, 24, and Jake, 26; he attended Winterset High School and was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and soccer.

He’s also an avid reader, and has been jumping into the non-fiction section as of late.

“I’ve always been a huge news guy, always trying to stay up to date on current events,” Baur said. “And I liked writing about news a lot more than writing about literature. … I loved fiction as a kid, but real life is stranger than fiction.”

“I love the size of Grundy,” Baur said. “It reminds me of home, in a good way. Something I’m used to, but totally different. And this area just feels like it’s on the up-and-up.”

In his free time, he’s a big Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers fan, and spends most of his time watching their games, as well as hanging out with friends and reading - he’s currently in the middle of a James Baldwin book.

Ultimately, being in Grundy County just feels right for Baur.

“It’s exactly what I wanted to be doing,” Baur said. “I’m super eager, and I’ve been getting restless [getting ready for my first day]. I’m super eager to get to know Grundy County and what it has to offer.”