News

Member of the Month: Rachel RollingerAs a Junior, Rachel has participated in Parliamentary Procedure, Conduct of Meetings, Floriculture, Food Science, and served as Officer at Large. This year, Rachel plans on being a leader within the chapter through her committee chair position. Rachel is easily recognizable in the chapter, and is known for being in State and National Band and always bringing life to the chapter.

Flight #45 to include 90 veteransOn Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #45. The mission of this non-profit organization is to provide veterans with a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to visit monuments and memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 44 flights have transported 3,968 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC.

By: Co-Reporter, Grace SchminkeOn Wednesday, September 14th the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter attended the FS Agronomy 411 event at the FS building in Vinton. Several other area FFA Chapters attended the event as well. Students rotated through eight educational stations covering assessing soil, water quality, commercial fertilizer products, Iowa Corn Biofuels, aerial applications, combines, and soybean cyst nematodes.

The attorney representing Tacoa Talley in the First Degree Murder charge of the Jodie Bevans, requested a change of venue on Monday. In the case of the State of Iowa vs. Talley, Tacoa, Judge Chad Kepros denied the request. Kepros said, "News reports which objectively and factually report the occurrence of the crime and the events surrounding the criminal proceedings do not give rise to the kind of inflammatory publicity which causes a substantial likelihood or prejudice in the minds of prospective jurors.

The Kiwanis Club of Vinton presented a $1000 check to the Vinton Shellsburg School District Backpack Program.The Backpack Program provides nutritious weekend meals to students in need in the school district.The money was raised from the Boomtown 5K race in August.   A special thank you to all the runners and area business sponsors who supported this important project.

By: Co-Reporter, Alana FlemingOn Saturday, September 24, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter worked with the Benton Community and Belle Plaine FFA Chapters to educate kids throughout Benton County on several different safety aspects. The members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter taught students about Grain Safety and Skid Loader Safety. The remaining members led students around to the different stations which included Semi/Tractor Safety, Animal Safety, 911 Emergency Call, Bike Safety, ATV Safety, Electrical Safety, Fire Safety, and First Aid.

Rita Moore has found what some might call a ministry. Using her ability to sew has turned into a way to help others on their way to healing. It might just be a small way to help on that journey for so many, but it might also be the key. Rita has given many, many hours to make that healing happen for a number of area veterans. 100 to be exact.It started in 2016, just a mere 6 years ago.

A trial in the case of a Benton County woman's death has been postponed. Samantha Bevans' defense has requested a delay for the beginning of the trial. Originally scheduled for November 7, the Benton County Attorney had no issues with the request. A new date will be set. Bevans is being accused of killing her stepmother, Jodie Bevans last July. An accomplice Tacoa Talley, is also being accused of the murder.

Benton County, Iowa - The Iowa County Recorders Association wants to make all veterans aware that recording or requesting military records is always free of charge for a veteran. In recent weeks it has been reported that a third-party company has been charging veterans to record these documents. Please review the Iowa Code chapter and information regarding submitting copies of DD214 documents below.

At least three area women competed in the Cattle Congress art competition and came home with ribbons. Cattle Congress is another fair held in the Cedar Valley out of Waterloo each year. Beginning in 1910 Cattle Congress it brings folks from across the nation to compete in the dairy cattle completion. Both Barb Campbell and Angie Wittmer came home with Best of Show ribbons with their entries.