News

Five volunteer firefighters with the City of Atkins were treated and released from local hospitals after suffering minor injuries during a single-vehicle accident involving an Atkins fire truck. The accident happened on a rural road in Benton County shortly before 11 a.m. today. The firefighters were leaving the scene of one call and responding to another when the truck encountered an uneven surface on the side of the road, rolled into a ditch, and landed on its top.

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are announcing a not-warranted 12-month finding on a petition to list the plains spotted skunk under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Using the best available science, we conducted a species status assessment to inform our listing determination and found that the species is not at risk of extinction now or in the foreseeable future.

To watch the ceremony, click HERE!

Click HERE for photos of the kids painting the store windows for Homecoming week!The 2023 Homecoming Week for Vinton-Shellsburg High School is from September 17th through September 22nd.The community is invited to help us celebrate at the following high school events:Tuesday, September 19th: 4:45 PM - Varsity Cross Country Invitational at VSHSWednesday, September 20th: Announcement of the Top 5 Candidates for Homecoming Court posted on school’s FB pageThursday, September 21st: 6:00 PM - Homecoming Parade in Vinton starts at 4th Street & B Ave.

Benton County Emergency Management is among the departments in Iowa that are being recognized this week.Governor Kim Reynolds proclaimed this week "Emergency Management Appreciation Week."The proclamation reads:Whereas, we have seen in recent years, emergencies and disasters can strike, anywhere and any time; andWhereas, emergency management coordinators and their staff rapidly respond day or night to integrate local, state and federal response resources in times of crises; and Whereas, the efforts of Iowa's emergency management coordinators and their staff continue to reduce risk of natural and man-made hazards to Iowans through emergency management preparedness, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, planning that help protect the health, safety and well-being of every Iowan; and Whereas, emergency managers are assisting Iowa residents, businesses and governments seriously impacted, by natural and man-made disasters, through their most difficult times, and helping to get them on the road to recovery; and Whereas, emergency managers continue to serve their communities across Iowa, responding to 73 federally declared disasters and emergencies, 35 of which have occurred in the last 20 years, Now therefore I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa do hereby proclaim that September 18-23, 2023 shall be recognised as:Emergency Management Appreciation Week.

Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipmentAMES, Iowa – As harvest season quickly approaches, Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipment.There were nine reported grain entrapments in Iowa in 2022, more than any other state, according to an annual report by Purdue University.

More Vinton-Shellsburg meals will be featuring Iowa foods thanks to a grant from the Iowa Local Food for Schools grant (LFS).The V-S Food Service Department has been awarded $8,000.00 to procure local foods that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to their geographic area.In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds also build and expand economic opportunity for local, socially disadvantaged producers and small businesses.

 The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) recently recognized outstanding housing initiatives and leaders through the sixteenth annual HousingIowa Awards at the 2023 HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids. The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and professionals for leadership and innovation in advancing housing opportunities for Iowans.

State Auditor Rob Sand today alerted Iowa school districts and government entities to be on the lookout for check scams and fraudulent emails instructing them to redirect payments.“This kind of fraud is on the rise and can happen to anyone. A year ago, I was personally targeted by email scammers trying to redirect my paycheck. Fortunately, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services contacted me to confirm the email was fake,” said Sand.

A special election was held this week in Newhall. On the ballot was the following.PUBLIC MEASURE A: Shall the terms of office for the City Council Members of the City of Newhall, Iowa be changed from a term of two (2) years to a term of four (4) years, and the Council members terms be staggered in accordance with the provisions of Iowa Code 376.2?The measure did not pass.