News

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is excited to announce a T-Shirt Design Contest, inviting Fair enthusiasts to submit their original and creative designs that truly embody the spirit of the Iowa State Fair. The winning design will be featured on a T-shirt sold in the official Iowa State Fair Store, with proceeds supporting the Foundation’s mission to enhance and preserve the historic Fairgrounds.

Benton County Veterans Affairs is hosting a dinner commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Leaving Vietnam. Join us at the Vinton Skate Center from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. We will have a guest Chaplain opening the event followed by a guest speaker and dinner.This special event is for veterans and their spouses. Registration is not required.

Early Saturday afternoon, an insect was the cause of an accident on 4th St. A minivan driven by a juvenile was trying to shoo the bug out of the window while approaching the 4th St. Bridge near the 700 block. A passenger was also in the van, fortunately, both were wearing their seat belts when the accident happened. The two only had minimal injuries.

Auditor of State Rob Sand today released a report on the City of Center Point for the year ended June 30, 2024.  The report can be seen below.

The VFW Auxiliary Post #2440, a combination of Benton and Buchanan County Posts, presented awards to area students. The essay awards were presented last week at Tilford Elementary and Shellsburg winners this week. The top 15 essay contest writers were presented with a medal and a laminated copy of their essay to take home with them. The Vinton-Shellsburg District had a total of 336 essay entries in grades 3-5.

By Faith Hunt, NaturalistA community scientist is someone who contributes to scientific research. Community scientists are people who have a little bit of time and interest in contributing to local and national data about the world around them! You don’t need advanced degrees or years of experience, just a passion for science, a willingness to help with research, and an eagerness to volunteer your time.

By Kami CoonsThe Iowa House approved a bill Wednesday that would stop pipelines carrying liquified carbon dioxide from using eminent domain. Six other bills related to carbon sequestration pipelines, eminent domain and the Iowa Utilities Commission were combined into one bill, which also advanced. The bills were directed at an ongoing fight between landowners and the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would stretch more than 1,000 miles in Iowa connecting to biofuel refineries and transporting the sequestered carbon dioxide to underground storage in North Dakota.

On Friday morning, students at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School were tested on their fire drill response, and they performed perfectly!Just before noon, they were tested again, but this time it was a real life situation. Kyle Koeppen, Superintendent said that there was a heating and cooling unit in the Guidance Office that began smoking. (smoking is not allowed in the building, even if you are an HVAC system!) "We cleared the building as a precaution, but once we cut power to the unit, everything was cleared.

Nearly 40 people filled half of the courtroom for the sentencing of Robert "Bob" Ducharme. DuCharme was arrested last March 5, 2024, on a total of 10 charges: Ducharme, 61, a Vinton resident and former owner of Tactical Creations. made an Alford Plea* in the case. Sentencing was before Judge Mark Fisher on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

By Cami KoonsA bill advanced from the Iowa Senate floor Monday that would protect home gardens from state and local ordinances.Sen. Cherielynn Westrich, R-Ottumwa, said the bill hits at a “growing concern” that home gardeners are blocked from growing their own vegetables and food on their properties. Westrich noted that similar bills, often known as right to garden bills, passed in Illinois and Florida.