News

Saturday night accident, no serious injuries

Saturday night, at approximately 10:30 PM the Benton County Sheriff’s department, Vinton Fire Department, Vinton Police Department, and North Benton Ambulance responded to an accident on the east side of Vinton. The accident occurred across from the Marvin Lindsey Field, east of 61st St. Lane.. A vehicle entered the north ditch across from the field and landed upright in the ditch.

Iowa Economic Development Authority Touring Vinton

Benton Development Group has invited a team from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to tour several Benton County communities. The delegation will survey downtown areas for strengths, challenges, and potential revitalization strategies. While providing an honest first impression of the business district, the group will also share information about programs that could accelerate future development.

It's getting Scarecrow-ey out there!

Bobbins and Boards It's time to vote for your favorite scarecrow appearing in Vinton! Look for the ballot for voting on the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department's Facebook page which can be found HERE.Included in the photos to the left are scarecrows from Bobbins & Boards with a scarecrow standing next to an old treadle sewing machine, ready to lend Terri Sellers a hand with her sewing projects! Next is the Viking Sewing Center's scarecrow that will leave you in stitches!The Vinton Palace Theatre's set of scarecrows won't be too scary for the kids that can't read, but give the desired affect to those who can read "Murder" written behind them.

44 AND A DINOSAUR

Forty-four human guests and one large stuffed dinosaur named Broc attended the Red Cedar Chamber Music “Fresh Folk” concert, Oct. 13, at the Andersen Center Point Library. Here is Broc, safely seat-belted for the trip, grinning in anticipation. There were lots of grins at the comfortable concert sponsored by the Friends of the Center Point Library.

Quilts of Valor presents Six Veterans with Quilts

When Shelby McDonald became the Benton County Fair Queen in 2019, as her service project representing the county at the Iowa State Fair, Shelby, wanted to promote the Quilts of Valor program. The idea began several years ago when her mother and aunt joined The Freedom Stitchers in Cedar Rapids. In 2019 the family made a quilt for one of their own service members who served in Vietnam.

Football ... pumpkins ... turkey ...

It is that time of year, and GoVS is again preparing to help you decorate for the upcoming holiday season with evergreen roping and wreaths.GoVS awards thousands of dollars in scholarships each May to graduating seniors pursuing higher education. The holiday roping and wreath orders are a major funding source for the scholarships.Businesses in the Vinton City limits can choose to have roping hung by volunteers from the FFA and National Honor Society.

Kelly Henkle, Vinton Public Librarian speaks to area Kiwanis Club

Kelly Henkle the new library director, addressed the Vinton Kiwanis club on Tuesday. She shared a bit about herself. A Vinton native, she has a husband Luke and three children Graham, Carmen, and Loren.She had formerly been working at Virginia Gay Hospital for the last eight years. She also holds a Master's Degree in Health Science from Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelor's Degree in Math, Psychology, and English from Drake University, and is currently enrolled in courses through the State Library of Iowa that will give her a Silver Directors Endorsement.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight #45 CANCELLED

On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Board voted, making the difficult decision to cancel flight #45. Unfortunately, due to a plane malfunction in the early morning hours, the flight would have been delayed by at least 3 hours. A delayed agenda would have greatly impacted the Honor Flight experience, forcing several memorial visits to be eliminated and others shortened.

46 Scarecrows are set to arrive in Vinton!

Benton County Veteran's Affairs Vinton is about to get scary! Vinton Parks and Recreation are bringing the scarecrows to town from October 21st through the 30th. Their assignments are to make you laugh, smile, smirk or maybe be a little frightening!Some have already popped up around town. If you look along the east wall of City Hall, Gru and the Minions are all ready for the fall season.

Nepotism, Veterans Preference and Lawyering Up

It was just another run-of-the-mill Benton County Supervisor meeting that took place on Tuesday, October 11...for the most part. But to get the full picture we have to back up to the meeting held on September 30, 2022.During the September meeting, the Benton County Board of Supervisors appointed a new Benton County Roadside Manager, George "Wes" Haefner.