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The Benton County CISM Team was officially formed in 2020 and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2021. The mission of the Benton County CISM Team is to provide Benton County first responders with unparalleled support through displaying respect, integrity, and passion as Crisis Interventionists. First responders all over the world endure critical incidents (something that overwhelms one’s normal coping mechanisms) every day.

Update 7/28/22According to the Sheriff's Office, there was never a written warning given to the Keystone residents. The residents agree that they were given verbal warnings.Vinton Today has asked to view the footage of the visit by the department to the Keystone residents concerning the dogs. ---Families in Keystone were contacted last Friday by the Benton County Deputy Sheriff's Office on behalf of the City of Keystone concerning the "Dangerous Animal" ordinance in Keystone.

This week’s winner of the You Light Up My July summer punch card incentive is George Kristjanson. George won $50 in Vinton Value Dollars that he can use while he shops in Vinton.  The punch card incentive will continue until the end of July, so there’s still time to get your cards punched.  Plus, this Saturday, July 30th, is a DOUBLE punch day!  On that day, every $10 you spend at a participating business, you’ll receive TWO punches.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson made stops in downtown Vinton on Monday morning. Accompanied by Melody Snow of Vinton Unlimited and Vinton's Mayor Bud Maynard, she visited area businesses in downtown Vinton. Stopping first at LaGrange Pharmacy, the Congresswoman visited with owner Dan LaGrange. The two talked about pharmaceuticals and suggestions or ways that services to residents could be improved.

Vinton Unlimited’s You Light Up My July summer punch card is off and running!  Nate Phillips was the first weekly winner, and this week Leah Edwards won!  Each won $50 in Vinton Value Dollars!  Who will be next?!  If you want a chance to win one of the remaining weekly drawings, get shopping!   For every $10 spent locally at one of the participating businesses, you can receive a punch on a You Light Up My July punch card.

Folks are asking what's needed by Crew Chief Janice Smith for our "Back to School" night on August 7th at the Benton County Speedway and HERE is the list she has sent me, Its a long one but we are doing our best to fill as many bags as possible. We know the NEED is GREAT! Here you go!Wide-lined loose leaf paperspiral notebookscrayons 13 countmarkerswater paintspink eraserspencil eraserspencil sharpenerssharpened pencilspencil boxes or zippered pouchesKleenex tissuezip lock gallon clear bagszip lock quart bagszip lock sandwich bagsbackpacks (filled and/or non-filled)Elmer's gluehand sanitizerssanitizer wipes.

Pictured in the Group Photo:Back Row - Left to Right: Rachel Rollinger, Paul Herger, Grace Schminke, Evan Lopata, Gunnar Schminke, Andrew Pingenot, Austin Noe, Josh Wiley, Kail Evans, Ben McGowan, andRyan ShipleyFront Row - Left to Right: Sam Lundvall, Carley Clark, Megan Schlitter, Izzie Birker, Jade Pohlmann, Madeline Pingenot, Brody Waters, and Jerry LeeBy: Co-Reporter, Grace SchminkeOn Wednesday, July 6th, the Vinton-Shellsburg Chapter took 18 members to spend the day at the Lost Island Waterpark.

For the last several years, the "old steam plant" located on West 8th St. a block north of the former Braille Sight Savings School property, has become an eye sore, at best. It's not a secret that something needed to be done with the property. With the property changing hands several times over the years, it never seemed to find the right owners that had the time and money to make it into something worth saving.

In less than a year, 22-year-old Nathaniel James Taylor of Vinton was charged a second time for the following three charges as the result of acts of a sexual nature:-dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, a serious misdemeanor (September 12, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-Sex abuse 3rd Degree - Child Victim - Person 4 or more years older 1st offense a Class C Felony (September 13, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-minor - cause to engage in act Class C Felony  (September 22, 2021 and July 13, 2022)The latest charges were filed by the Vinton Police Department with Taylor being arrested on July 13, 2022.

Following the accident of a 13-year-old member of the Lil Race Car Club there is an effort to collect bicycle helmets for the membership this Sunday night, July 24. The 13-year-old crashed an electric scooter resulting in a skull fracture and emergency surgery which included 2 plates and 15 staples in their head. He is now recovering. Shadoe Vogt is organizing this event.