News

This notice is given to for the Benton County Residents living next to Buchanan County, be aware of the following.(short version)Buchanan County Alert:Starting at 12:00 PM today Sept. 5, 2023, Buchanan County will be under a burn ban proclamation as issued by the State Fire Marshal Office per the request of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors on behalf of the County Fire Chiefs.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerThis year at the Iowa State Fair, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members had many members attend and enter projects. Andrew Pingenot, Carly Schlarbaum, and Evan Lopata did a great job representing the chapter and have been working very hard on preparing their projects all year. Andrew entered a newly restored Oliver 77 Tractor to the Ag Mechanics show where he received 3rd in the first-year restoration division.

By Rob Sand, State Auditor One of the things I love about the Iowa State Fair is that you always run into someone you didn’t expect to meet. This year was no different: while refilling drinks for folks at the Iowa Pork Tent, I encountered an organ donor wearing a t-shirt promoting the importance of this selfless act. Two people whom I care about very much have undergone organ transplants this year, so as you can imagine, I was very excited to meet someone who shared my enthusiasm for the cause! In some places, we might’ve passed each other without chatting at all—but in Iowa, we’re just neighborly like that.

By: Co-Reporter, Juliana Luis“I really enjoyed being able to spend time with my fellow officers and getting to know each other better. We made a lot of memories that will last a lifetime!” is how Co-Reporter Juliana Luis described her time while at the Vinton-Shellsburg annual Officer Retreat. The Officer Retreat started Friday, August 4th at 7:30 a.

Vinton Police Department Log for Week of August 21-27, 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.

By: Co-Reporter, Juliana LuisOn Monday, July 31st the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter took a quick trip to Jellystone Park in Monticello, Iowa. The day was filled with laughter and excitement as chapter members reached their destination. Sophomore, Will Mckenna said, “The best part of the trip to Monticello was getting to have fun and enjoy it with everybody.

On Monday, August 28, the national Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) was activated for alert to send blood products to Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, if needed.BERC is a coalition comprised of 36 blood centers across the nation who commit to preparing for mass transfusion disasters by collecting extra units for an emergency reserve.

Residents of Vinton will have the opportunity to view the final conceptual landscape designs created through the Community Visioning Program, in which Vinton has been a participant since November 2022.On August 31, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Meg Flenker (PLA) from Flenker Land Architecture Consultants, Trees Forever Field Coordinator Peter Lundgren, and Vinton Community Visioning committee members will be available to answer questions regarding these designs.

83 vendors arrived early on Saturday morning and filled 96 booths in the downtown area. Covering 3 blocks, everything from wine to cupcakes and cdfafts were available for purchase. Our very own Pink Heals fire truck was also on hand for residents to sign and pedal cars were available for the kids, (and the bigger than kids) which were a hit. A few blocks away, the Civil War re-enactors who camped out at the Train Depot were educating residents on the way that things were during the Civil War with reenactments/ The group kept in character with the tents and uniforms of that time.

This week, the Vinton Class of 1983 noted something that should be remembered. Before I get to that, we need to back up a few decades before the 1980s.Before our now well known black and gold theme, the school colors were purple and gold. The sports teams for the Vinton schools were known as "The Purples."  I have to admit, that name "The Purples" doesn't sound quite as intimidating as a Viking!According to Vinton historian Tom Lynch, the Vinton "Vikings" came into being during the 1958 school year.