The following area graduates received a degree from Allen College:Laryn Ewoldt of Dysart received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree Annika Schmidt of Vinton received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with Cum Laude honors, Molly Schmidt of Norway received a Associate of Science in Radiology degree with Summa Cum Laude honorsThe College awarded 127 degrees during its commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 7, 2021.

A core group of 1963 classmates met Tuesday morning at the Vinton Family Restaurant for their 1st coffee since February 2020. Fortunately, no one aged.

Leading Online Public School Hosted Virtual Commencement for Class of 2021 on May 16Iowa Connections Academy, one of Iowa’s most experienced tuition-free, online public schools for students in grades K-12, honored the school’s 116 graduating high school seniors during an online ceremony on Sunday, May 16.

Central College students were celebrated during Commencement on Saturday, May 15, at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.The commencement included the following students from the area:Center PointRylie Conway Alexis Engen Cassidy YeagerVintonDestiny Swallom WalfordJoel Collett Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, four-year liberal arts college.

The following student received recognition for outstanding achievement at Mount Mercy University's Honors Convocation on May 14: From Van Horne, Oceana Papakee, Anne K.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School student Emma Arnold has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, sponsored by Bayer Fund.

Becky McKinney, Preschool Teacher at Central Lutheran School, is the 2021 Lutheran Education Association’s Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher.

The Iowa Department for the Blind is incredibly pleased to share that the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, a division of the Iowa Department for the Blind, has been named 2020-2021 Regional Library of the Year by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress.

The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation is offering 75 scholarships, totaling $167,500 to help individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reminds eligible farm owners to apply for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.