News
Seatbelt laws help to save lives
This reminder brought to you by the Vinton Police Department. "Seat belt laws and enhanced enforcement increase seat belt use, thereby reducing crash-related injuries. Seat belt use reduces serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half, and seat belt laws and enforcement strategies have been proven to increase seat belt use. Primary enforcement seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to stop vehicles if a driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. Candidate Resume: Ted Paxton for Sheriff
Experience and Qualifications· 28/29 years of Law Enforcement Experience – Albion, Eldora, Vinton· 17 years as a Chief of Police· 23 years of Volunteer Fire Fighter - combined· Fiscally responsible with tax dollars· Benton County Resident since 2014· Husband and Father of 6 children – Wife BeAnn, Mitchell 28, Stephen 25, Nicolas 21, Haedon 11, Korban 10, Lyndon 6Priorities and Goals· Enhance community engagement in rural Benton Countyo Assign a deputy to our townships, get to know their trustees and clerks.
V-S FFA Finishing the Year with Annual FFA Banquet!
By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker The annual Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Banquet took place on Saturday, May 4th at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School. Before the meal, President Andrew Pingenot welcomed all of the guests and thanked them all for their support. Officer at Large, Cooper McClintock gave the blessing for the food. Tables were dismissed by Cole Birker and Jameson Demuth. 
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight announces 51st flight to Washington DC
Flight to include 88 veterans
On Tuesday, May 28, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch
Flight #51. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 50 flights have
transported 4,506 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC. The trip entails visits
to the WWII, Korean, Vietnam memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special
wreath dedication.
If you love your family, remind them to buckle up!
"The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It, Don’t Risk It high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 20-June 2, 2024. It is perceived everyone wears a seat belt, but data shows that’s not true. Jury finds Samantha Bevans guilty of First Degree Murder
Last week a jury was seated in the Samantha Bevans First Degree Murder trial for the murder of her stepmother, Jodie Bevans. Following a week of testimony from family members all speaking to the kindness of Jodie in extending a second chance opportunity to Samantha, moving her back home in hopes of changing her life and making it better, the family also had to testify to the terrible mistake that was. Just a friendly reminder to buckle up
The U.S. Department of Transportation says, "One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt – the national use rate was at 91.9% in 2023. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and your family are properly buckled up every time. Samanta Bevans Trial: Day 4 (Closing Arguments)
On Friday, the jury heard the closing arguments for both the State and the defense. Presenting the remarks were Assistant Iowa Attorney General’s office and the defense Fir Samantha Bevans. The trial began at approximately 9:15 a.m. Judge Chad Kepros began the day reading the 44 jury instructions to the jury. These instructions lay out all the requirements for each charge or potential charge. VGH Employee Awards Banquet 2024
In conjunction with Hospital week, Virginia Gay Hospital recently held its Employee Awards Banquet to honor staff members for their years of dedicated service. The event celebrated employees who have reached significant milestones in their careers.Recipients of the 5 Year Awards included Laura Atherton, Martha Easter, Maddux Erhardt, Franki Evans, Jennifer Greenwood, Samantha Jirak, Anna Kitsmiller, Jill Kuhn, Lillie Lamont, Kathy Ockenfels, Morgan Rust, April Shoudy, Eric Struve, and Reanna Wilhelm.