News

66 Golfers Participated in Vinton Unlimited Golf Tournament

Vinton Unlimited held their Annual 2-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament last Friday at the Vinton Country Club. The event was open to anyone who wanted to participate.  A total of 66 golfers teamed up for this fun event which was the maximum number that could participate.Each of the Vinton Country Club’s nine holes were sponsored by local businesses that spiced up the course with a mishmash of fun and entertaining games and prizes.

It's "Back to School Night” at the Benton County Speedway Donations Needed

The Benton County Speedway Bullring Lil Racer Car Club is seeking donations of new school supplies and filled or unfilled school-themed backpacks that we will hand out to kids 14 and under who pick up a ticket from the Lil Racer Clubhouse on the night of August 7. Gates open at 4 with racing set to begin with hot laps and exciting racing action a couple of hours later.

Higher Quality of Life Points to Greater Economic Health for Communities

Summer is in full swing and there are many things that make Iowa summers so great. From hitting the trails to cooling off at the public pool to attending farmers markets, county fairs and other events – there is no shortage of things to do. Even in smaller, more rural communities across the state, there is a desire to offer opportunities that bring people together and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Vinton Skate and Activity Center hosts 2022 Special Olympics Unified Golf Tour

By Brian LarkinNearly 40 Special Olympians and their Unified partners competed at the Vinton Skate and Activity Center as part of the 2022 Special Olympics Iowa Unified Golf Tour.  Teams traveled from Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Vinton, and Anamosa to enjoy a perfect day on the mini links. The course was in perfect shape thanks to VPRD. Teams included Goodwill of Waterloo, Discovery Living from Cedar Rapids, Jones County and the Cedar Valley Ranch and VSU from Vinton.

Orange you glad you live in Shellsburg?

Shellsburg's Big Day events are happening all today Saturday, July 16. Starting with a 5K race through town, the residents were all smiles as the day kicked off. A parade with all of the area fire and rescue vehicles, the Vinton-Shellsburg band and all the politicians and area businesses were out to join the parade. The day will wind up tonight with fireworks and fun in the park.

This squirrel looks a little squirrelly

Whitetail deer, well, we've all seen those. But I've never before seen a white-tail squirrel! Maybe they aren't new in the area, but I don't ever recall seeing or hearing about one. The rodent has a bushy, white tail and was spotted by Charlie Frazier in the southwest corner of Vinton.Pat Jorgensen with the Department of Natural Resources, said that, "they are not very common and they are not considered Albino.

PAPA BALLOON AT CENTER POINT LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Papa Balloon visited the Center Point Public Library from Geneva, Illinois Papa Balloon leads a community roomful of enthusiastic young balloon dog makers at the Center Point Library Summer Reading Program July 12. His program and a hot dog lunch after were sponsored by the Friends of the Center Point Library. More than 100 kids and their adults participated.Papa Balloon, Mark Garvey, and his wife Sue are Summer Reading Program favorites and now come all the way from Geneva, Illinois to keep the tradition going.

Library plans to open part time beginning next week

With the volunteer help of the Library Board the library will be opening a few hours each day beginning next week. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday it will be open from 2-6:00 p.m.Basic services will be available, however, the interlibrary book service will be on hold. Tuesday, July 19 a couple of volunteers will hold story time at Kiwanis Park for those interested, see the flyer for details.

Evansdale Murder Investigation Continues 10 Years Later

Lyric-Cook Morrissey (left) Elizabeth Collins (right) It was 10 years ago on July 13 that cousins 10-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins went out for a bike ride in Evansdale, Iowa, and never returned home to their families. Five months later on December 5, 2012, hunters in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area of rural Bremer County came across two bodies, which were eventually identified as Elizabeth and Lyric — found approximately 25 miles from the Black Hawk County location where they originally went missing.

Interested in serving the Children of the Vinton Area?

The Kiwanis Club of Vinton is now offering a morning satellite meetingAnyone interested in learning more about Kiwanis and the projects we do to benefit children and the community please come to our initial get togetherThis Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30 am at the Bethlehem Lutheran Parish Hall1206 C Ave  -- We will have refreshments and donuts and a discussion about Kiwanis and what we do and how you can be a part of a great community service group.