News

Once again, Old School Produce Partners, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization brings a harvest that will assist area food pantries across Benton County. For the last 3 years, the project has helped to put food on area tables. Last year the garden produced 8,600 pounds of food. Greg Walston said that there would have been more but that the derecho damaged the tomato crop.

Construction continues on Vinton Today, on the back end where you can't see it, but I can. Every time Wes comes up with a new or improved feature it makes me so happy, it's like Christmas!On the front, you can now see a little "Print" button to the right of the author's name. I know most of us will share a link to the story, but sometimes there is an article that you want to print out and keep for future generations, and now you can do that.

The final day of the Iowa State Fair, Brian McNulty, of Watkins, joined a group of Iowans who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. On Sunday, August 22, McNulty was inducted into the 2021 Iowa 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. McNulty became involved in 4-H in the late 1980s as a member of the Eldorado Young Master Farmers 4-H Club.

The Boomtown fireworks show drew thousands to this year's show.  With cars lining the streets, filling the fairgrounds and every parking lot in the area, it was obvious that people were ready to see the show.  Last year's show was canceled like most other events because of COVID and it was obvious from the crowd this year, that people missed the show.

While other stories might say something cold and clinical like, "A local landmark was torn down today. The building had fallen into disrepair over the years and required extensive repair. The site will now be home to a new Dollar General building," I won't be reporting it like that.I might start a bit more gently and say, Monday was the beginning of another week and the end of an era.

For those in Vinton, and those formerly from Vinton who keep an eye on the Cedar River, you will notice that things are going to be changing rapidly for us over the next 48 hours. The Cedar River has been pretty low for quite a while here in Vinton. According to the National Weather Service, Vinton's water level will be changing from under 3 feet, where it has been for several weeks, to just about flood stage at 14.

Congratulations to Justin Bartz, Christina Harrelson, Stevi Salzmann and Kylee Schwan, 2021 Virginia Gay Hospital Jeanette Miller Employee Scholarship recipients. The Jeanette M. Miller Scholarship supports education in a nursing career. In 2014, Jeanette M. Miller made a significant impact by donating funds from her estate to support nursing scholarships for graduating high school students in our community and continuing education of the nursing staff of VGH.

Bring the Noise 5K is an annual event that is one of several events put together by the Vinton Kiwanis Club. Each year the event raises money to support the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School Backpack Program which assists area families throughout the school year.Bringing more than 40 runners to the east side of the courthouse, the race took off at 9:00 a.

Speaking to the Vinton Kiwanis Club this week, Blake Hansen shared first a bit about himself. He is not a stranger to Vinton. Growing up here the son of Jeff and Jennifer, and grandson of Gilbert and Rose, and Roger and Dorothy Albert, his family line goes deep into Vinton. Hansen moved back 3 years ago and looks forward to raising his family here.A man who wears three hats for his job, Hansen is Vinton's first full-time Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer/Floodplain Manager.

Boomtown Schedule Around townFriday, August 27, 2021Get the weekent started at the Benton County FairgroundsFriday night free parking and admission6 pm beer tent, food vendors, music by Mike HepkerA night to socialize with friends and familyThere will be no scheduled fireworks display on Friday.Saturday, August 28, 20219am - Kiwanis 'Bring the Noise' 5k Run10am - Boom-fest in downtown Vinton           - Vinton Depot Civil War Re-Enactors            Drill and Musket Demonstration/Kid Drill10:30 am Cannon Demo11:30 am Interaction Downtown at Boomfest1:30 pm Skirmish2:00 pm Medical Demo3:00 pm Mortar Demo or Cannon Demo4:00 pm Moonlight tour of camp            - Gates open at the Benton County FairgroundsBeer tent, grandstands, food vendorsParking is $10 per vehicleGrandstand seating is $10 per personLawn seating is free bring blankets and chairs6-8 pm - Live Entertainment Slap 'n' Tickle takes stage at the beer tentDusk - Pyrotechnic Demonstrations             Opening Ceremonies            Hand Built Samples by members of the IPA           Junior Pyro show9:15 pm (Approx.