News

Present at this week's meeting were all of the Benton County Supervisors Rick Primmer, Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenk. Baffling BidsBids were accepted for the sale of Sheriff vehicles. Jim Primmer made bids on all of the vehicles at "$100 above the highest bid not to exceed..." various amounts. As his bids were the only bids recieved, he purchased the following: 2009 Chevy Impala.

The VGH Annual Tree of Lights Tree Walk accepted the final bid on items on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00 A.M.  We are grateful for the amazing creativity of our VGH Staff, Community Businesses and Individuals who donated their Christmas creations providing holiday cheer! The displays were exceptional! Thank you to all who came out to view and bid on items, your generous support raised over $10,000 providing much-needed equipment in our facility to provide quality care.

In papers filed on Monday morning, members of the former members of the Board of Health have petitioned the court regarding the termination of the board members. The petition cites Iowa Code 21.6 which can be read HERE.In the action, the "Plaintiffs request the Court to issue an order declaring that any personnel action and resulting from unofficial closed door meetings or other means are in violation of Iowa Code Chapter 21, and specifically restraining and enjoining Benton County from taking any personnel action regarding the named Plaintiffs and from appointing any new or replacement board until this Court has had the opportunity to rule on this case.

Two Vinton-Shellburg High School students were recognized both locally and nationally on Friday. The students had created a project concerning the Cold War targeting the use of MIA and POW. The National Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary recognized the students with a special certificate of appreciation for unwavering support for Uncommon Heroes.

City officials in Shellsburg hosted an official ceremony on Thursday, November 16th to honor the historic Sells Street bridge and officially open the new Smith Street bridge.   Mayor Lonnie Speckner provided information about the Sells Street bridge being built in 1915 and serving the community for 108 years.   That bridge will now become a pedestrian bridge.

The Bear Creek Church, located at 5177 26th Ave., Brandon on V71 just south of Brandon, has been undergoing some much-needed preservation work on the building. Built in 1900. the building has been maintained as best as it could through various groups of volunteers. The goal is to make the country church into a presentable location for small weddings and gatherings.

On Veterans Day, a group of more than 100, met at the newly constructed Veterans Memorial. Created next to City Hall, the third time was a charm in securing a final location for the tribute. It can be seen as you drive past on the highway, so in hindsight, it was probably the best possible location for the monument. The Grand Lodge of Iowa officiated the ceremony and several spoke at the ceremony.

The newly organized Friends of the Vinton Library are selling reusable book bags just in time for Christmas. The sturdy bags are the perfect gift to carry books back and forth to the library. The canvas and polyester blend bags must be preordered and can be ordered Monday, November 20th through Wednesday, November 29th. Cost of the bags are $15 for the cream colored canvas bag and $20 for the polyester blend gray bag.

Company donates $4 million to Hometown Care Energy FundFor the third consecutive year, Alliant Energy has donated $4 million to its Hometown Care Energy Fund to help customers who struggle financially to pay their energy bills. The funding is split evenly between customers in Iowa and Wisconsin.Alliant Energy encourages customers in need of financial assistance to apply for the funds to assist with paying and managing their energy bill.

At a balmy 61 degrees, it was a pleasant night to watch the Christmas floats pass by. The various organizations and businesses along with the Vinton Fire Department came out to escort Santa into Vinton to kick off the Christmas season. Santa visited with children in the courthouse following the parade. The best photo of Santa with his visitors was a selfie.