News
Gov. Reynolds Signs Several Bills into Law
This past week, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the following bills into law: HF 601: A bill for an act relating to rate increase notice requirements for public utilities. HF 557: A bill for an act relating to conducting elections for benefited recreational lake and water quality districts. HF 248: A bill for an act relating to electric power generating facility emission plans and projects, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
Mayor requests residents to call City Hall with questions to save the City Money
Closing the council meeting on Thursday evening, Mayor Bud Maynard put a request out to all Vinton residents. In this year so far, he said that legal fees racked up by the city have reached around $30,000. Rather than incurring extra expenses for the city, the mayor encourages residents to first contact City Hall with questions or concerns. Making calls to government entities outside the city usually require the involvement of the city attorney, which requires a bill for services.
Cobb Alley adds new Wall Dogs Mural
In the alley next to the Vinton Palace Theatre, Cobb Alley's long-awaited mural of its namesake Aubrey "Cobb" Smock arrived on Friday afternoon. The Palace Theatre has been working to make what was a drab alleyway into an eye-pleasing area, and wow what a change! In addition to the mural, the Palace has also added a walk-up window, picnic tables a bike rack and lighting to the alley. New Radio towers completed for Communication System
The $7 million emergency communications project is moving along nicely in Benton County. Radios have been delivered, and the towers are up around the county to improve communications between all of the county emergency departments. The tower pictured is 325' high upon completion and will be one of the six towers that will connect all of the emergency services. A note from the City of Vinton
Until further notice, the brush and compost yard will be available the following hours: Monday-Friday from 4:00pm - 7:00pmSaturday from 10:00am - 7:00pmSunday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm **Brush, grass clippings, branches and other yard waste ONLY. No construction materials, metal, or general trash. Inappropriate materials found in the yard may result in closure and denial of use.
Benton County American Legion and Auxiliary present Scholarship and Merit Awards
The Benton County American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary met on Tuesday evening at the Newhall American Legion. The two organizations met together.to present Benton County seniors with scholarship and merit awards at the Newhall American Legion. This is the 58th consecutive year that the legion has been awarding these honors. Calling the meeting to order, Derrick Seeck the Benton County Commander opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance and ceremony for the MIA soldier. Benton County named by Reynolds for SBA Disaster Assistance
Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) granted her request to provide assistance in the form of low-interest disaster loans for eight counties impacted by the March 31, 2023, severe weather event. Homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, and Washington counties, whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, will be able to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.
Perry Johnson, presidential candidate visits Vinton
Presidential candidate for 2024 Perry Johnson made a stop in Vinton on Friday. A group of Benton County Republicans welcomed him at the Vinton Family Restaurant on Friday afternoon. He and his wife Diane arrived on his bus along with a handful of staff members to greet the group. Johnson describes himself as very conservative, pro-second amendment, anti-woke, anti-China, pro-American worker, pro-life, and believes that we have live in the greatest country that the world has ever known and he intends to keep it that way. Benton County Conservation Opportunity to Expand Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area
The Benton County Conservation Board (BCCB) is excited to announce an opportunity to expand one of
its existing properties.
Our park, Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area (Wildcat Bluff), two miles south of Urbana, Iowa is home to: The
East Unit Shop, 24 campsites, a boat ramp, miles of hiking trails, Iowa’s best disc golf course (ranked top
10 in the nation and top 20 in the world), great timber and wildlife habitat, and Cedar River fishing
access.
Northern lights could be seen on Sunday night
If you were fortunate enough to be driving outside the city limits on Sunday night, you had an opportunity to see the northern lights. Sometimes, you just have to stop and take a picture...even though a photo never does the sight justice!