Virginia Gay Hospital is committed to providing our community with excellent healthcare.It is our pleasure to announce that Virginia Gay Hospital has been recognized and awarded by national healthcare research leader PRC:Five Star PRC Excellence Award — Virginia Gay Hospital Outpatient Surgery for Overall Quality of Care (scoring in the to 10% nationally)Four Star PRC Excellence Award — Virginia Gay Hospital Emergency Department for Overall Quality of Care (scoring in the top 25% nationally)Four Star PRC Excellence Award — Virginia Gay Inpatient Services for Overall Quality of Care (scoring in the top 25% nationally)This competitive national award recognizes organizations who achieve excellence throughout the year by improving patient experiences, healthcare employee engagement and/or physician alignment and engagement based on surveys of their patients.

By Robin OpsahlLegislation requiring schools to include information about vaccine exemptions in communications about immunization passed the Iowa Senate Monday.

In its second attempt to pass a levy on to the Benton Community property owners, to improve the Benton Community School District, the voter decided to approve a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL).

President Joe Biden has won the 2024 Iowa Democratic Caucuses, receiving 11,083 of 12,207 preferences received and processed through today. “Congratulations to Joe Biden, who overwhelmingly won the 2024 Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus.

Andrea Townsley, Principal at Tilford Elementary spoke with me concerning the amazing amount of cereal collected by the staff and students at Tilford last month.

Coe College is interested in checking it out to see if the spotted salamander and central newt is there. An Indian burial mound is on the property. And it's here in Benton County.

Scott Hansen has worn many hats over the last 25 years. As the Coordinator of Emergency Management (EM) in Benton County, he's earned his pay when it comes to this job.

An automobile accident on Friday afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. took the life of an Independence woman, Meghan Devane age 21. Devane was traveling north in her Jeep Patriot, on Highway 150, in the 5100 block near Urbana.

The Vinton Lions Club congratulated the following member for their service.Congratulations to Mark Wilberg, 20 years; Bill Ortgiesen, 10 years; Ron Tippett, 20 years; Jerry Blank, 10 years and Ryan Davis, 15 years.