News

Aflac Incorporated, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S.,1 is thrilled to recognize four-year Aflac agent Dennis Bramow as an esteemed recipient of the 2024 Agents of Care award. Each year, the Agents of Care program recognizes Aflac independent sales agents who go above and beyond in their professional roles and demonstrate exceptional dedication to their communities through acts of service and philanthropy.

Iowans will register more than 220,000 boats before April 30, when current boat registrations expire. Boat registrations are good for three years. Registration fees support boater education and safety, water trails, navigation enforcement and aquatic invasive species.Boat owners may bring their current registration to any Iowa county recorder’s office when they renew.

Mayor Bud Maynard administered the Oath of Office to four men desiring to serve as reserve officers for the Vinton Police Department. The four included Joshua Meyer, Matt Milburn, Brandan Geiger and Blake Hansen.Police Chief Ted Paxton spoke before the ceremony and thanked the men for stepping up to serve in the department. The four will be riding along with other officers for training purposes.

In an article entitled, "Changes to Iowa's newspaper landscape, 2019 to 2025" - Bleeding Heartland the author gives a bleak look at the newspaper industry in Iowa. The author, Jeff Morrison took the time to track down all of the newspapers left in the state and made a map of the reality of print news. According to Morrison there are 51 Iowa newspapers in the 99 counties.

Pictured: Catheryn Irvine with the "Outstanding Legacy Project."Also pictured (from left), Iowa DNR Director Kayla Lyon, Catherine Wieck with the Dysart Tree Board, [Irvine], Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn, and DNR State Forester Jeff Goerndt. Photo Credit: Iowa DNRDysart’s Cathy Irvine Honored for Outstanding Legacy Project in Urban ForestryCatheryn "Cathy" Irvine of Dysart has been recognized with the Outstanding Legacy Project award by the Iowa Urban Tree Council.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is issuing a warning about fraudulent business practices soliciting investments from Iowans. As part of the scam, World Trade Coal (WTC) presents a fraudulent “letter of surety” to investors, which deceptively uses Secretary Pate’s signature and the official seal of the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.“While this certificate displays my signature and our seal, it is counterfeit and has not been approved or issued by my office,” said Secretary Pate.

Blessed Hope Community Church is gearing up for our annual Faith in Action event! If you or someone you know could use a hand with cleaning, painting, light construction, carpentry etc., consider submitting a nomination today!Faith in Action | Blessed Hope Community Church

The Charles and Helen Yundt Charitable Foundation is accepting grant applications for year 2025 from non-profit organizations serving the Vinton, Iowa community. Each grant awarded shall be for a specific purpose or project, with the intent to benefit the greater Vinton Community, with particular attention to education, health and human services.Grant applications are available through the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust website at fsb-vinton.

P.E.O. Chapter HG in Vinton recently installed their new officers for 2025. Elected president is Roxanne Ervin, Vice President - Cathie Beatty, Recording Secretary – Marsha McCall, Treasurer – Linda Fischer, Corresponding Secretary – Connie Gill, Chaplain – Dana Jumper, and Guard – Pam Miller.Locally P.E.O. meets monthly and sells pies and cinnamon rolls at the Park and Recreation Fall Festival to raise money to support a local high school scholarship and to support educational grants and scholarships for women pursuing educational goals.