News

In its second attempt to pass a levy on to the Benton Community property owners, to improve the Benton Community School District, the voter decided to approve a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). Last year a vote to pass a $48 million dollar bond measure failed in the district.The district hoped that changing the goal of the measure would bring different results for the school district.

President Joe Biden has won the 2024 Iowa Democratic Caucuses, receiving 11,083 of 12,207 preferences received and processed through today. “Congratulations to Joe Biden, who overwhelmingly won the 2024 Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus. Iowans recognize that President Biden has made great investments in communities across Iowa including in our childcare centers, roads and bridges, and by expanding broadband access in our most rural areas,” said IDP Chair Rita Hart.

Andrea Townsley, Principal at Tilford Elementary spoke with me concerning the amazing amount of cereal collected by the staff and students at Tilford last month. Each month the students have a goal of collecting a certain amount of "Positive Behavior" tickets. the goal for February was for the students to collect 6,000 tickets for their good behavior.

Coe College is interested in checking it out to see if the spotted salamander and central newt is there. An Indian burial mound is on the property. And it's here in Benton County. Benton County Conservation is partnering with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to more than double the size of the Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area near Urbana. With beautiful woodland, upland, and lowland habitat, and the chance to protect even more of the Cedar River's bank, the addition allows Benton County to add unique outdoor recreation as well as increase important wildlife habitat.

Scott Hansen has worn many hats over the last 25 years. As the Coordinator of Emergency Management (EM) in Benton County, he's earned his pay when it comes to this job. As part of his intro to the local Kiwanis club, he said all of that, tagging on "retiring June 30th." He told the group that Dean Vrba will be taking over for him and he expects it to be a seamless transition.

An automobile accident on Friday afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. took the life of an Independence woman, Meghan Devane age 21. Devane was traveling north in her Jeep Patriot, on Highway 150, in the 5100 block near Urbana. For unknown reasons, she crossed the yellow line into the southbound lane directly in the path of Jeffrey Burrows, 50 of North Liberty.

The Vinton Lions Club congratulated the following member for their service.Congratulations to Mark Wilberg, 20 years; Bill Ortgiesen, 10 years; Ron Tippett, 20 years; Jerry Blank, 10 years and Ryan Davis, 15 years.The Vinton Lions meet every Wednesday for a noon luncheon meeting at Pizza Ranch hosting a local speaker or program. Join Us! Contact Vinton  Lions on Facebookhttps://www.

Surprise your kids, neighbors or friends with pre-filled eggs hidden in their yard.Complete the form below to book your spot!Upon completing the form, please mail your payment to:Vinton-Shellsburg High SchoolAttn: Wrestling Cheer/Egg My Yard210 21st St Vinton, IA 52349*Make checks payable to VSHS Wrestling Cheer The VSHS Wrestling Cheer Squad is again this Easter taking orders to Egg Your Yard.

For some of us, we WISH we didn't have a birthday every year which reminds us of how old we are. But for those having a Leap Year Birthday is a big deal to get to celebrate ON your birthday.She was only four years old when she graduated from Washington High School in 1998. She also learned to drive and wanted a car for her birthday. On her seventh birthday, she celebrated with a Spongebob Squarepants theme.