News

Daddy Daughter Dance

Bringing along their dads, uncles, grandpa's or family friend, the Vinton Skate Center was the place to be last week. Several little girls arrived in their pretty dresses, and their hair all in curls, and several were just going with the casual attire. Both groups bore the same look on their face, pure happiness. With a sundae bar and concessions along with table activities, a photo booth and dancing of course, the girls and their dates were entertained by the staff of the Vinton Parks and Rec Department.

March Veteran of the Month, Cindy Briggs

Cindy Briggs always knew she would join the military; a girl wanting to follow in her father’s footsteps.  She accomplished that sense of fulfillment and joined the US Navy in 1972. Stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois, she was responsible for the oversight and tracking of the necessity for repairs within various naval buildings and housing units on base.

V-S FFA is on to District Contests

Junior, Kelcie Appleby advanced from the sub-district competitions in Job Interview. She practices perfecting her interview skills for this contest. By: Co-Reporter, Alana FlemingOn Monday, February 20th the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter sent several contests to the Southwest Sub-District Competitions at AEA 267 in Cedar Falls. They sent members in multiple contests including Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Parliamentary Procedure, Chapter Program of Activities, Creed Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Ag Sales, Ag Broadcasting, Prepared Public Speaking, and Job Interview.

If you are a Veteran or a surviving spouse, you may be entitled to assistance

Sometimes you think "I'll be fine, I don't need any help..." and then you might realize that there is a bit of help out there that you didn't know about. If you are a veteran or the widow of a Veteran and you've never remarried, AND you served 90 days of active duty, (other than training) and at least 1 day during a war time period listed below, you COULD qualify for the Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension  through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Birker Appointed to Local Food and Farm Program Advisory Council

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the individuals who have been appointed to serve on the Local Food and Farm Program Advisory Council. The Council exists to support and advise statewide efforts to increase the availability of locally grown, raised, and produced foods.“The supply chain disruptions and persistent inflation over the last two years have made consumers consider new avenues for the products and food they depend upon every day.

Mini Golf at the Library?

Sometimes you have to take a book stop It's not often that you see golf balls and golf clubs inside the library unless you see kids having fun at the library!The staff at the Vinton Public Library set up a mini golf course for children to enjoy on Saturday. The library welcomed children to play a round of miniature golf on a course constructed of children's library books, legos, blocks and even characters from some of the books that could be found along the course.

$1M in Disaster Relief Grants Awarded to Two Benton County Communities

 Benton Development Group announced that more than $1M in disaster relief grants had been awarded for communities in Benton County. Atkins will receive $620,000, and Belle Plaine has been awarded $475,000.  The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded the grants from funds provided by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Disaster Recovery Grant in response to the 2020 Derecho.

Nominate Conservation Leaders for the 2023 Iowa Farm Environmental Awards

Individuals and families will be recognized at the 2023 Iowa State Fair Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon invite Iowans to nominate individuals or families in their communities for the 2023 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.To be considered for inclusion at the 2023 awards ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair, nominations will be accepted through Monday, May 1, 2023.

Iowa Lottery CEO, former Benton County resident, battling Colon Cancer

Matt Strawn, 49, the CEO of the Iowa Lottery, announced he was diagnosed with colorectal aka colon cancer following a screening in January. Strawn has served as the CEO since 2019 A Benton County native, formerly from Van Horne, said, "Following a recommended screening in late January, I received a colorectal cancer diagnosis. While this is news that no one expects to hear, I am grateful to share that the cancer was detected at a stage where the goal for my treatment is a full cure.

Vinton Man charged with Kidnapping, Domestic Abuse and other charges

Matthew David Milligan, 43 of Vinton was arrested in Independence on Wednesday, February 22.  Milligan is facing multiple charges including kidnapping and assault stemming from a domestic situation at an Independence hotel.The Independence Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Swan Lake Boulevard in Independence.