News
Want to Help Families Impacted by Saturday’s Tornado – Donate to BCDRC
Anyone who would like to help the families impacted by the Vinton tornado on Saturday, March 5th may make a monetary donation to the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition. Donations can by made by check or Venmo. Checks can be mailed to: Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition, PO Box 125, Vinton, IA 52349 or Venmo: www.venmo.com/BentonCounty-DisasterCoalition.
Tornado Sirens, when they are activated and why
Fortunately, we all survived the odd March tornado that hit Vinton. In light of the souls lost in Winterset, it's not a small thing. Scott Hansen of Benton County Emergency Management sounded the sirens across Vinton on Saturday night six minutes after we were included in a tornado warning, at 6:50 p.m. Hansen had been tracking the storms throughout the day.
Vinton Kiwanis host over 600 at Pancake Breakfast
With a line from the kitchen to the door for most of the hours of service, the Vinton Kiwanis club served over 600 hungry folks. This is the club's largest fundraiser the club said and of this year's attendance, it was considered a "massive" success.Vinton Kiwanis is responsible for several projects in Vinton. Their Special Project for 2022 is a Ne Benton County Conservation Temporarily closes Old Creamery Nature Trail
The Old Creamery Nature Trail is closed west of Vinton to 60th St Drive. Poles are down on the trail. Avoid this area, crews are working on site.
Two drivers injured in accident near Brandon
Two people are injured following an early morning crash on Interstate 380 near Brandon.The Iowa State Patrol responded to the call at approximately 6:55 a.m. on Friday, March 4. Justin Nosbisch, 42 or Vinton was driving eastbound following a tractor that was pulling a wagon, on 330th Street. Nosbisch was turning left onto I-380 in his Ford Fiesta when he failed to yield to Ross Wiley, 78 or Walker who was driving a GMC Sierra and struck the vehicle on the passenger side.
EF1 Tornado hits Northwest Corner of Vinton
For those of us not on the northwest corner of town, it just seemed like a heavy rainstorm and nothing major. For those north and west of Windsor Manor in the trailer park down to the northern edge of town, it looks like a tornado hit. Unofficially of course. Rick Primmer sent in a picture of one of his semis, laying on its side. Damage will be better assessed in the morning. We're Looking for Campground Hosts
Camp all summer
long. Work with a great
staff at Hannen Lake and
Rodgers Park.Apply Online at
bentoncountyia.gov/employment
or call
319-472-4942
for details and an application! Vinton Lions Club Honors Years of Service
The Vinton Lions Club honored long-time Lions Club members at the weekly noon meeting. Alan Woodhouse has served for 50 years, Bill Ervin 25 years, and Cal Rickels 15 years. Not pictured was Eric Coulter who has been a member for 10 years. We are grateful for their commitment of service to our community. Benton County Conservation bring Crayfish to V-S 3rd Graders
Benton County Conservation made a trip to Tilford Elementary last week to speak to the 3rd Grade classes. The topic of the visit was crayfish. The students had the opportunity to see crayfish that are brought to the school by the department. "As part of the class the children make visual observations about the crayfish such as color, behaviors, amount of appendages, etc. Salvation Army Serves Displaced Residents
The Benton County Salvation Army Extension service had an opportunity to put into practice what they have trained for. The team was able to assist the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army Corp to feed the residents who were displaced by the Geneva Towers apartment building fire that occurred on February 20th, 2022. The residents are being sheltered at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids.