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By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn Tuesday, June 10th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter took part in the State Nursery Landscape and Floriculture CDEs and the District Livestock Judging Contest. The students represented their chapter well and gained valuable experience. The Nursery Landscape team of Andrew Pingenot, Wyatt Shaver, Abby McKenna, and Ali Lutz earned a Bronze Rating at the state level.

A boat overturned on the Iowa River near Chelsea at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. "Two people were safely recovered with only minor injuries," the Tama County Sheriff's Department reported. Also responding to the call were the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Tama Police Department, Chelsea Fire, Belle Plaine Fire, and Belle Plaine Ambulance as well as nearby citizens also jumped in to help.

All Charges are subject to review by the Benton County Attorney's Office. An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the Defendant is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty. Intrastate Warrants are issued by Law Enforcement Agencies for crimes happening in their jurisdictions.Arrests for the week of June 9-15, 2025:Blake Michael Driscol, 18, Dysart, IA – Failure to Maintain Control, Operating While Under the Influence 1st Offense, Possess/Purchase Alcohol by person 18/19/20 1st OffenseJeremiah Ray Mizerny, 37, Cedar Rapids, IA – Intrastate Warrant – Violation of ProbationShaun Alan Clinton, 43, Cedar Rapids, IA – Intrastate Warrant - Attempted Burglary 2nd Degree, Harassment 1st Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent, Possession of Burglar’s ToolsLogen Nolen Schmidt, 34, Cedar Rapids, IA – Operating While Under the Influence 1st OffenseDesiree Jewel Kerkman, 24, Van Horne, IA – Intrastate Warrant – ForgeryDeputies overes 2 accidents, 5 complaints, issued 6 citations and 8 written warnings.

A Belle Plaine man was killed in a two car collision last Thursday morning. The crash occurred in n Poweshiek County on Highway V18, north of 460th Avenue.The Iowa State Patrol said that James Jacobi, 70, was heading south in a Pontiac Bonneville. Another driver was traveling north in a Hyundai Sonata. The driver of the Hyundai crossed the centerline into the path of Jacobi.

The City of Vinton is accepting applications for a full-time Police Officer position with a proactive agency in a growing community.Vinton Police Officers work 12-hour shifts with every other weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) off. The current starting wage for a certified officer is $32.07 with the possibility of hiring incentives based on overall qualifications and certifications.

Highway 30 is expected to have construction on portions of the road in Benton County this week.Construction will be on the turn lane making improvements at the intersections of Highway 30 with 32nd Avenue and 33rd Avenue according to the Iowa Department of Transportation will begin The project will help to improve traffic in and out of the city of Atkins.

Pilot program enables students to enjoy fresh, local food sourced from Choose Iowa members’ farms and small businessesIowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced 33 schools or school districts have received grants to participate in the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program for Schools. The one-year pilot program connects Iowa schools with Choose Iowa members to encourage school food service programs to purchase and serve more ingredients and products sourced from local farmers and small businesses.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is celebrating the passage and signing of two important election-related bills. Governor Kim Reynolds officially signed Iowa House Files 928 and 954 into law on June 2.Iowa House File 928 reinforces and standardizes Iowa’s recount procedures and requires uniformity across recount methods – recounts must now be conducted in all precincts in a race and by using the same recount methods.

Impactful heat and humidity will continue through Monday and may persist through Thursday.Periodic rain chances Monday night through Thursday could impact temperature forecasts at times Tuesday through ThursdayThere is a severe weather risk with the storms that develop late Monday afternoon and evening.

Through its corporate giving program, Theisen's will award a total of $400,000 to nonprofits in 24 store communities.Theisen’s Home•Farm•Auto invites nonprofits in its Iowa and Wisconsin store communities – including Vinton – to apply for its 2025 More For Your Community grants now through July 31. The grant program, which is supported by the Theisen’s Charitable Fund and through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, will distribute an estimated $400,000 in funds across the region served by the retailer, with at least $5,000 available to each store community.