News

It's almost campaign season again! If you are considering running for office, the filing period begins on August 25, 2025 through September 18, 2025. Candidates need to file with the appropriate City Clerk and school board secretary who acts as the filing officer. The paperwork is then turned into the Auditor's Office.For more information about being a candidate CLICK HERE.

Just announced-our panel of expert judges has taken this year's lineup of over 60 new foods and narrowed it down to the top three finalists for 2025.Fairgoer votes will be tallied from August 7th to the 13th and the winner of the coveted People's Choice Best New Food for 2025 will be announced on Friday, August 15.Will your favorite top the list this time?The TOP 3 Best New Foods, in no particular order:The Scotcheroo Shake, Over The Top: Meet your new Fair favorite – a rich, creamy shake made with our handmade scotcheroo ice cream – peanut butter and butterscotch ice cream swirled with gooey scotcheroo fudge and packed with chewy chunks of the classic Midwest treat.

Today, Governor Kim Reynolds announced her commitment of $5M to expand 19 child care and preschool program partnerships. The Continuum of Care grant program garnered overwhelming interest with more than 120 applications submitted.  The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Agency), Division of Family Well-Being and Protection, announces its intent to award a Expanding the Early Childhood Continuum of Care Grant to Growing Patch Wrap Around Care and Center Point Urbana Community School District in the amount of $100,000.

Due to minor flooding at the brush dump just north of town, an area has been set aside in the city lot between 3rd and 4th St. next to the railroad tracks. Benton County Emergency Management’s, Dean Vrba said that the river crested on Sunday. If it stays dry, we can just enjoy the full river bed!

Photo Caption: The Best of the Best team from Benton County: Claire Schanbacher-Market Beef, Lauren Vavroch- Breeding Doe, Paige Schulte-Bredding Gilt, Kolten Lewis- Market Lamb, Joe Stein- Market Hog, Jillian Hanson- Breeding Ewe, Addy Sweeney- Breeding Heifer, Will McKenna- Market Goat.---By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaWill McKenna, President of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter, had a memorable experience showing at the 2025 Benton County Fair where he exhibited the Champion Weather Market Meat Goat.

It's time for the Iowa State Fair! There will several news releases coming in that I will share with you. For anyone competing at the fair, feel free to snap photos while you're there and share them with the rest of us back home in Vinton, your awards are always fun to share!Now to our first news release!-Choose Iowa will be highlighted throughout the 2025 Iowa State Fair by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig welcomes Iowa State Fairgoers to indulge in fun ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa during the annual 11-day event slated for Aug.

Jacob Isbell the son of Sherri and Jake Isbell, and a 2014 graduate of Vinton-Shellburg, is shooting for the stars!As I coordinated with the author to share this story with you, Steve Ertel  who is leading the team that Jacob is part of, as his supervisor and “very proud faculty mentor,” explained a bit about what an accomplishment this is. He said, “Grants like this are extremely hard to come by.

By Randy ScheelRecently, I was at a community event when a good friend approached me to let me know he had ridden the Old Creamery Nature Trail (OCNT) and how much he liked the trail. In addition, he commented how he understands the trail is to be promoted for others to use, yet appreciates how it is often a “hidden secret” in our county and state.

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaThe Benton County Fair was a fun and rewarding week for the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter as members took part in hands-on agricultural education, livestock exhibitions, and community service.One of the highlights of the fair was the FFA Learning Barn, where FFA members helped teach hundreds of kids and families about agriculture.

We’re thrilled to announce that an accessible sidewalk has been installed at the Hannen Lake Park beach! This project is a big step toward making our parks more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. It all started with a generous $3,000 donation from Amy Williams, who hoped to see more accessibility at the lake. With additional support from our Benton County Conservation Foundation (BCCF) Hannen Lake Chili Cook-Off, t-shirt fundraiser, dinner fundraiser, & Benton County Conservation (BCC) funds—we were close.