News Headlines

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the qualified electors of the County of Benton, State of Iowa, that the General Election will be held on Tuesday, the 5th day of November 2024. The polls for said election shall be open from 7:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.For said election Benton County will be divided into nineteen precincts. The precincts and polling places are as follows:Precinct Name/Voting LocationBelle Plaine I - Belle Plaine Community Center, RSVP RoomBelle Plaine II - Belle Plaine Community Center, Dining RoomBelle Plaine III - Belle Plaine Fire StationBenton-Canton-Shellsburg -Shellsburg Legion HallBig Grove-Union-Van Horne - Van Horne Community Center*Bruce-Cedar-Monroe-Mt.

The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts Scavenger Hunt is coming to a close on November 1st. The Scavenger Hunt was undertaken this year in celebration of the Guild’s 10 year anniversary, and involves 25 intriguing questions about the various public artworks that VGFA has sponsored and/or produced since its inception in 2014. Entry forms and helpful information can be found at www.

The Vinton Fire Department once again brought excitement and education to the community for Fire Prevention Week. The department engaged elementary students and families with fun and interactive activities designed to teach fire safety and prevention. This weeklong event kicked off with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of fire safety while giving local children hands-on experiences they’ll never forget.

Iowa Author Charlotte Gunnufson will be reading from her books, Halloween Hustle and Dream Submarine at the Van Horne Public Library on Saturday, October 26 at 9:30 AM. There will be crafts and songs as well. The author will also have her books available for purchase. The VanHorne Public Library is located at 116 Main St, Van Horne.

Scott Hansen, Former Benton County Emergency Manager, received the IAEM USA Region 7 Lifetime Achievement Award. IAEM is the International Association of Emergency Management. Region 7 which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.The award is given to a professional possessing at least 15 years of dedicated service to the field of emergency management at the local, county, state, or federal level.

The Vinton Fire Department will lead "Operation EDITH" this Thursday at 7:00 p.m., as part of Fire Prevention Week. The program, an acronym for Exit Drill In The Home, is a fire-safety initiative designed to encourage families, especially those with young children, to discuss and practice fire escape plans at home.Why Focus on Children?Statistics highlight the importance of fire safety education for children.

Prairie Creek Church will be hosting a community Chili Supper on November 2nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Attendees can enjoy chili, a relish tray, desserts, and drinks. The event is open to the public, and there is no set cost—meals are available for a free-will donation. All are welcome to join for a warm meal and fellowship!

It's almost that time of the year, it's trick-or-treating time! Below are the events that have been sent in to be shared with the public!Saturday, October 26, 2024Vinton Parks & Recreation Spooktacular Day10:00 AM  11:30 AMPumpkin coloring, Halloween games, costume parade through downtown for children grade school and under. Held at the Courthouse lawn.

Patients and ACO participants at Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) may soon notice a new way of receiving important health-related updates. VGH has announced the launch of a new communication system, allowing patients to receive text or email messages directly from the hospital’s team. The initiative is designed to enhance the patient experience by providing timely, clear, and convenient communication.

Natalie Nesbitt, has been a school counselor for 13 years in the Benton Community School District. She counsels both middle and high school aged children in the district. Currently, Nesbitt cares for around 750 students. With a passion for well-being, she has led efforts in the Benton Community School District to improve access and reduce stigmas around mental health.