News

Go ahead, brag on yourself, your kids, your organization, everything is welcome!

Reflecting on the last 13 years of Vinton Today always leaves me amazed. Every time. The idea was to have a central location where anyone so inclined to write, organizations wanting to share, and any bit of news could find its way to anyone anywhere. And it could happen from Vinton. For three months before launch, I spent a lot of time contacting organizations, sending out the email address, asking for information, meeting notices, etc.

Ambulance-driving EMT fired after three off-duty drunken driving arrests

By Clark KauffmanAn Iowa emergency medical technician who drove ambulances, fired for a history of drunken driving arrests, is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a state fact-finder has ruled.Despite two drunken-driving convictions and one recent drunken driving arrest, Derek Ealy’s state license as an emergency medical services provider remains in good standing with no history of any public disciplinary action, according to the Iowa Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services.

CBI’s Money Smart Week Poster Contest is Back! April 15-21

Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, in conjunction with Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI) is sponsoring the 2023 CBI Money Smart Week Poster Contest to motivate elementary school students to learn about personal finances. Money Smart Week was designed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as part of a financial literacy public awareness campaign.To enter the Poster Contest, elementary students in 2nd through 6th grades can submit poster designs to Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, with imagery answering the question: “Why is it important to know about money?”.

Farming and Space work together

Three area farmers, Lance Lillibridge, Lori Lang, and Brian Carlson were in Orlando, Florida, attending the Commodities Classic as part of their farming businesses. The Commodities Classis is an annual convention and trade show that brings together farmers, agricultural industry representatives, and policymakers from across the United States to discuss issues related to American agriculture and the commodity crops it produces.

Vinton kicks off 2023 Community Visioning Program

Vinton is participating in the 2023 Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. Community Visioning is a transportation enhancement planning process that serves Iowa communities under 10,000 in population. The program helps community volunteers envision aesthetic and ecological improvements along roadsides and related landscapes by blending environmental stewardship with community improvement projects.

Steepleton brings his books to the Vinton Public Library

Author and former Vinton resident Joseph Steepleton presented the Vinton Public Library with a set of all of the books that he's written. Joseph Steepleton, one of 11 children born to his parents Mahlon & Frances right here in Vinton, has been busy over the last almost decade writing and publishing his books. He said that he is "donating to the place where the seed of my love was planted," the Vinton Public Library. Steepleton, along with his daughter Amanda stopped in at the library last Friday to drop off the books and to share stories of the time he spent here.

Chilangos Mexican Restaurant open for business!

Chilangos Mexican Restaurant is now open at the former Pizza Hut location in Vinton! Owner Michael Gonzalez is no stranger to hard work and to managing businesses. With several businesses that he's opened and operated in Cedar Rapids, he has stepped in to get a new business up and running here in Vinton. For the foodies, he is also looking at the possibility of starting another restaurant in downtown Vinton at a later date.

Benton County Conservation shares WILD news!

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Vinton Community Foundation Accepting Grant Applications

Robin Martin for Vinton Unlimited, Kyle Koeppen. Vinton Shellsburg Community Schools, Tami Stark, Vinton City Council, Ann Williams, Vinton Area Ministerial Association and Janet Woodhouse, representing Farmers Savings Bank and Trust  One hundred percent of your tax-deductible contributions are used for the betterment of the Vinton community.                The Vinton Community Foundation board members are pleased to announce they are now accepting grant applications from non-profit Vinton area groups, for the 2023-grant program.

Tilford Elementary students use Kindness Week to recognize the Community

3rd Grade Tilford Elementary students in 3SH made this poster to thank workers at City Hall The Tilford Art Teacher. Heather Crabb was asked by Mrs. Annis, the Tilford teaching coach, to help the students make art projects for Kindness Week. The idea was to show appreciation in the community as well as bring a smile. Each class made a project for different areas of the community. The 3rd Grade, 3SH class, Mrs. Haisman's class, created this poster to thank City Hall for all of the work that they do for Vinton.