News
Candidate Forum Summary Sheriff Candidates - Paxton & Upah
There are two candidates running for Benton County Sheriff. Below are the statements made by our candidates. Questions were asked by the public. If the name was clear on the audio recording of those who directed a question to the candidates the name is included. If it was not the question is just listed.- The first candidate who began with an intro was Ted Paxton, the current Vinton Police Chief. Shellsburg Man Enters Not Guilty Plea
Huston William Danker, 26, entered a plea of not guilty to first degree murder in connection to the death of Ryan Cooper. Cooper was a resident of Traer in 2021 when he was killed. In April, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Tama County Sheriff's Officer arrested Danker in Cedar Rapids. He was charged with First Degree Murder, a Class A Felony for "acting in concert with Karina Cooper to kill Ryan Cooper. Students go into summer with something to read
Vinton-Shellsburg fourth graders were the grateful recipients of books for their summer reading pleasure. An incredible collection was donated last week to help them leap into summer reading! John Arnold, brother of former Vinton-Shellsburg reading teacher Steve Arnold, desired to donate the books, as it had always been Steve’s goal for all students to be lifelong readers. Kindergarten students hatched chicks!
Farm Bureau partnered with ISU Extension & Outreach to offer a unique, up-close experience to kindergarten classrooms in Benton County! Tilford and Keystone Elementary were our first participating schools and we are so thankful they welcomed us into their classrooms for this program! The program ran for four weeks and included weekly classroom lessons that allowed students to explore the poultry industry and identify the basic needs of a growing chick. Iowa Auditor’s Election Training Program Receives National Clearinghouse Award
One of 32 Programs Honored by the U.S. Election Assistance
Commission for Innovation, Sustainability and Replicability
The Iowa State Association of County Auditors (ISACA)
announced it was recognized for excellence in election administration with a
national Clearinghouse Award for Outstanding Election Official State
Association Program.
Also known as the “Clearies.
Benton County Approves the hiring of new assistant to the HR Director
Following a discussion on the hiring of an assistant in a closed session last year, the Benton County Supervisors approved a new hire in the HR Department almost a year later. It appears that the plan to hire wasn't put on an agenda, if it was, Vinton Today was unable to find it (I'm open to corrections.) It is normal for job postings to be placed on the agenda for discussion or approval by the board. Belle Plaine water has been as clear as mud
Due to the drought conditions, the City of Belle Plaine has been under water restrictions for the last month or so. Because of the look and smell of the water, citizens had been restricting its use even more. The city had also had to restrict outdoor water use, because of the shortage of water in the community. While the water looks unappetizing, the city assured residents that the water is safe to drink. LaPorte City man sues police after a series of encounters with officers
By Clark KauffmanA LaPorte City man who has been engaged in a long-running dispute with the police department is now suing the city for malicious prosecution and false arrest.John Grote, a 44-year-old Black Hawk County truck driver, is suing the City of La Porte as well as officers Garrett Husmann and Nicholas Hall and Police Chief Christopher Brecher in federal court.
Secretary Pate joins election security partners for Iowa’s 2024 Primary
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and state and federal election security partners convened at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Operation Center to assure voters they are prepared to ensure Iowa’s election integrity throughout the upcoming 2024 Primary Election.Leaders of state and federal agencies came together to discuss their role in keeping Iowa’s elections safe and secure and provide important information on how Iowans can be successful in participating in Iowa’s upcoming election. County Training in Open Meeting Laws held on Wednesday
As part of a settlement with the Iowa Public Information Board, Benton County held training for open meetings and laws on Wednesday morning and into the afternoon. The group met in the Supervisor's room. The meeting can be seen at the link below. The public can watch and learn as well!(753) 05-29-24 Board of Supervisors Meeting - YouTube