News Headlines

Nesbitt honored as 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Hero

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - October 3rd, 2024 11:27 pm

Article Thumbnail. Natalie Nesbitt, 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Hero

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.

PROCLAMATION OPEN BURNING PROHIBITED ON OCTOBER 3, 2024

BENTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - October 3rd, 2024 11:29 am

PROCLAMATION OPEN BURNING PROHIBITED ON OCTOBER 3, 2024THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL RECEIVED A REQUEST PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE 100.40(1) (1995) FROM DEAN VRBA, REPRESENTING EACH FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVING ALL OR PART OF THEIR FIRE DISTRICT WITHIN BENTON COUNTY, THAT THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL PROHIBIT OPEN BURNING IN BENTON COUNTY. UPON INVESTIGATION THE FIRE MARSHAL FINDS THAT CONDITIONS IN BENTON COUNTY ARE SUCH THAT OPEN BURNING CONSTITUTES A DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY.

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Promoting Farm Safety: A Successful Ag Safety Day

FFA - October 2nd, 2024 12:06 pm

Article Thumbnail. Children in the community learning about different forms of water floatation devices.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerOn Saturday, September 21st, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA, Benton Community FFA, and CPU FFA chapters joined forces at the Benton County Fairgrounds for Ag Safety Day! Local children learned critical safety skills for navigating farm life, including fire safety, water safety, and emergency response. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering topics like using fire extinguishers, understanding flotation devices, skid loader and semi safety, bike safety, and first aid basics with local EMTs.

World Communion Sunday, October 6

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - October 1st, 2024 10:08 pm

October Veteran of the Month for Boyer Post 166

SHELLSBURG AMERICAN LEGIONBOYER POST 166 - October 1st, 2024 10:08 pm

The Ray and Virginia Boyer Post 166 of Shellburg is proud to announce Dan Harris as its veteran of the month for October 2024. Dan was born in 1943 in the Chicago area. After graduating from Chicago Vocational High School in 1960 Dan joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Damage Controlman aboard the USS Randolph CVS 15 and the USS Constellation CVA 64.

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Residents paint Back Alley Mural in downtown Vinton

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - October 1st, 2024 2:21 pm

Article Thumbnail. A new mural in the alley behind City Hall now brightens the downtown

On the evening of Saturday, September 28, a group of local residents came together for a creative community event, painting a mural on the wall of City Hall in the alleyway. The event kicked off at 4:00 p.m. with volunteers of all ages picking up brushes and getting to work, transforming the alley into a vibrant public art space.Supplies were provided for everyone to participate in the mural’s creation, and alongside the main artwork, a special "Under the Sea" children’s mural was painted by the younger artists in attendance.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight announces 53rd flight to Washington DC

EASTERN IOWA HONOR FLIGHT - October 1st, 2024 2:12 pm

Flight to include nearly 90 veterans from throughout Eastern IowaOn Tuesday, October 8, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #53. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 52 flights have transported nearly 5,000 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC. The trip entails visits to the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication.

Community Comes Together to Help Local Man Prepare for Winter

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - September 30th, 2024 9:33 pm

With winter on the horizon, friends and family of Marc Merchant, a long-time resident of Vinton, gathered on Sunday to lend a helping hand. Marc, who has spent 28.5 years working for Benton County’s Secondary Roads Department, is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer. Though he’s usually the first to offer help to others, this time it was Marc’s turn to receive support from those close to him.

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Halloween Trick or Treating Hours in Vinton 5-8:00 p.m.

VINTON TODAY - September 28th, 2024 9:52 pm

It's almost that time of the year, trick or treating time!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. Carnival at 10 am, parade at 11 am.GRADES: 5th grade & under FEE: freeKooky Spooky Costume Party & Ghostly Glow Mini Golf7:00 PM 9:00 PMAnyone who wears a Halloween costume (more than just a mask) will get a $1.

Vinton Lions Club Scrap Metal Collection Day October 12

VINTON LIONS CLUB - September 26th, 2024 11:46 am

Vinton Lions Club Scrap Metal Collection Day!Join us for a community scrap metal collection event and help us recycle responsibly! Date: Saturday, Oct. 12th Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location:Ideal Industries1705 West E Street, VintonWe will accept:Metal (Carbon, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Copper)BatteriesLawnmowers (Oil/Gas must be drained)We will NOT accept:Appliances (TVs, Microwaves, Washer/Dryers, Refrigerators, Stoves, etc.

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