News Headlines

VGH thanks Tree of Lights: Annual Campaign Donors

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - January 19th 2026 11:46 am

Tree of Lights Purchases: 2025We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by our community for the 2025 Tree of Lights Campaign. The 2025 Tree of Lights contributions provided VGH Hospital and Clinics healthcare professionals with technology and equipment designed to improve patient recovery, lessen hospital stays, and increase overall staff efficiency.

Be Weather Aware Sunday Night into Monday

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - January 18th 2026 6:50 pm

Stay safe tonight and into tomorrow!Key Messages ●Cold Weather Advisory area-wide tonight through Monday morning ●Falling temperatures tonight will combine with gusty northwest winds of 30-40 mph, with a few higher gusts, yielding dangerous wind chills as low as -15° to -20° south to -25° to -30° north. ●With the winds and fluffy nature of snow on the ground in northern locations, shallow blowing and drifting snow is probable.

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Oopsie Daisy

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 17th 2026 2:08 pm

Friday, around noon, on the list of things to do, was to stop in at the bank. A customer pulled into the parking space of Farmers Savings Bank & Trust before accidentally creating a new drive up window situation on the west side of the building.It appears that the driver accidentally hit the gas rather than the brake while preparing to park. The vehicle took out one of the light poles on its way to the building, jumped a curb and and the retaining wall, before striking the building and taking out the window.

Former Vinton Resident will be 110 Years young on January 26

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 16th 2026 11:00 am

Article Thumbnail. Alice on her 100th birthday

On January 26, 2026, Alice Hootman, formerly of Vinton, will celebrate her 110th birthday!Alice was a former employee at the County Home and the Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School, until moving to Webster, IA in 1986 with her husband, Art. If you would like to send her a birthday card, please send it to her at: Alice Hootman505 Main St.

VPRD Community Recreation Facility Survey

VINTON PARKS & RECREATION - January 15th 2026 4:14 pm

Vinton Parks & Recreation is gathering community feedback to help guide future planning for recreation facilities, including a potential new public pool or community recreation center.This short survey is voluntary and will be used for planning and feasibility purposes only. It does not represent a final proposal or funding decision. Take the survey here:https://blocksurvey.

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Steffen Named as a Teaching America250 Award Recipient

VINTON TODAY - January 15th 2026 3:38 pm

Nationwide teaching program awards 51 teachers with $5,000 each in celebration of the Semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of IndependenceThe Jack Miller Center (JMC), an educational non-profit committed to civic education, today announced the winners of the Teaching America250 Awards thanks to the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Murray puts in retirement request at Humbolt School District

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 15th 2026 2:57 pm

The former principal at Tilford Elementary moved on to be the superintendent at the Humbolt Community School District. However, the Humbolt Independent reported, "The Humboldt Community School District Board of Directors officially approved the retirement request of long-time Superintendent Jim Murray at their meeting on Dec. 15.He said, “I’m looking forward to it.

Shellsburg Public Library receives Artwork

SHELLSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY - January 14th 2026 6:23 pm

Shellsburg Public Library recently received a beautiful Diamond Dots artwork created by Gerry Ries of Vinton, formerly of the Shellsburg area.Diamond Dots art is created by placing tiny, faceted resin “diamonds” onto a pre-printed, adhesive canvas, forming a shimmering mosaic image. The process is similar to paint-by-number, but with added sparkle and dimension.

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Benton County Settles Lawsuit for $125,000 with former Deputy

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 13th 2026 6:16 pm

Following the 2024 election, Benton County selected a new Benton County Sheriff, David Upah. As is customary, the new Sheriff also selects his own First Deputy. Upah replaced First Deputy, John Lindaman, who served under former Sheriff Ronald Tippett, with his own selection of First Deputy, Josh Karsten.Following the transition, Lindaman filed a complaint against the county on October 10, 2025, with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission CP# 10-25-84472 and it is cross-filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission case No.

VGH Dietitian, Sara Wattnem, Earns Specialized Eating Disorder Certification

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - January 13th 2026 5:44 pm

Virginia Gay Hospital is proud to announce that Sara Wattnem, Registered Dietitian, has officially earned her Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist (IEDS) Certification, expanding access to specialized eating disorder nutrition care for patients in the region.The IEDS certification recognizes advanced training in the nutritional treatment of eating disorders across the full spectrum, including Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, and related conditions.

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