News
2023 HousingIowa Awards Recognizes Anderson Creek Estates in Vinton
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 SAND ALERTS SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES OF INCREASE IN SCAMS
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. Newhall Election Results
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.
V-S FFA Members Attend the State Dairy Food and Cattle Judging Contest
By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker On September 8th, multiple Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members took part in the State Dairy Food and Cattle judging contests. “I would have to say some of my favorite parts of state dairy food judging would have to be trying all of the different cheeses, getting to try a new contest, and making memories with my friends for the whole day. Vinton Police Department Log for Week of September 4-10, 2023
Vinton Police Department Log for Week of September 4-10, 2023All 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.
U.S. News and World Report on National School Rankings for area Districts
The U.S. News and World Report has released the National High School Rankings. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the information available for the three high schools that affect Benton County residents, Vinton-Shellsburg, Center Point-Urbana, and Benton Community.(Blue font indicates a hyperlink to explain the category.)Iowa Assessments Scores Relative to U.
The cost of housing is going up in Benton County
It's not a surprise to see that the value of homes have risen in the last few years. Nor is it a surprise to see that the demand for homes too have risen. Benton County has been a seller's market for the last few years. According to Rocket Homes, the price of homes in Benton County have gone up 3.3% in the last year. The median price per square foot is now at $102.
Two accidents in the area on Labor Day
Labor Day was not a good day for drivers in the area. Starting the day off there was an accident off of the 380 and 330th St. just over the Benton County line into Buchanan County near Brandon. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reported that "at approximately 6:25 a.m., the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 reports of a motor vehicle accident on 330th Street near I-380, east of Brandon. Eastern Iowa Honor Flight announces flight to Washington DC
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight
will launch Flight #48. The mission of this non-profit organization is to provide veterans with a
“once in a lifetime” opportunity to visit monuments and memorials built in honor of their service
and sacrifice. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 47 flights have
transported 4,243 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC.
Grassley Academy Nominations Deadline Approaching
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is accepting applications from Iowa high school students who wish to be nominated and considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Naval Academy each select at least one qualified student from Grassley’s nominations every year.