News
VINTON SHELLSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - February 3rd, 2025 8:22 pm

Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is pleased to announce the hiring of Christine McSweeney as the new High School Associate Principal and Aric Chvala as the new Activities Director for Vinton-Shellsburg. Both bring extensive experience in education and leadership that will strengthen the district’s commitment to student growth, engagement, and success.
IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE - February 3rd, 2025 12:06 pm
The role of Iowa Secretary of State requires a balance: ensuring Iowa elections are safe, secure, and fair and empowering every eligible voter to make their voices heard in Iowa elections. Iowa is consistently named a top-ranked state nationally in election administration and boasts strong voter participation and turnout rates. A core component of keeping Iowa elections safe and secure is maintaining clean voter lists.
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VINTON TODAY - February 3rd, 2025 10:54 am
Customers can make a difference by rounding up their purchases to the next dollar, now through Feb. 28, to support children in need across the Midwest. Hy-Vee is once again joining forces with Variety – the Children’s Charity for its annual Round Up campaign, giving customers the chance to support children who are critically ill, at-risk, underprivileged, or living with special needs.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - February 2nd, 2025 5:57 pm

The Kiwanis Club of Vinton continued its mission of serving the community by delivering dictionaries to all third-grade students in the Vinton-Shellsburg School District. This annual tradition aims to spark curiosity and a love for learning in young minds while also introducing them to the importance of service and community involvement.Kiwanis Club President Craig Ollinger and member Lexa Speidel visited the classrooms, engaging students in an interactive discussion about the wealth of knowledge contained in the books.
FFA - January 31st, 2025 11:08 am

By: Co-Reporter Sophia NewtonThe Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter hosted its annual free-will donation spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, January 21st. This event provided a delicious homemade meal for 225 community members either as a dine-in option during the home basketball game or as a convenient to-go meal. FFA members worked together to prepare and serve a well-rounded meal, including spaghetti with sauce, garlic bread, fresh salad, and a variety of cookies for dessert.
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VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 31st, 2025 11:07 am
Belle Plaine Community School District is considering something a little out of the box. They are considering a four day school week after community support was shown for the idea. Last year the school conducted a survey that sought feedback on the idea and it received a positive response to the idea. The idea came from parents, teachers and community members.
IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH - January 31st, 2025 9:56 am

By Clark KauffmanIowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a report Thursday that says more than $400,000 in taxpayer money was improperly spent through a program run by Iowa Workforce Development.At a press conference Thursday, Sand characterized the matter as a case of “embezzlement” that involves programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by Iowa Workforce Development.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, THOMAS GERHOLD - January 29th, 2025 5:34 pm

On Wednesday, Rep. Tom Gerhold (R-Atkins) welcomed members of the Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg and Marengo FFA chapters to the Iowa House during the FFA Legislative Symposium.
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VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 28th, 2025 1:02 pm

Celebrating 109 birthdays is a pretty big deal. Receiving birthday cards over more than a century has evolved from a handwritten wish to an online source of well wishes. However, when Alice Hootman's daughter requested that we put out a call for birthday cards to celebrate her 109th birthday, she didn't expect to receive two special letters of recognition from the leaders in the state.
VINTON TODAY - January 28th, 2025 1:01 pm

Wesley United Methodist Church has received a $10,000 grant from the Benton County Community Foundation. It was presented to many deserving community organizations totaling $149,000! Ours will be used to make restrooms ADA compliant for the many folks who use our building. This will allow all families equal access. Among them our monthly food pantry, AA, WIC, Boy Scouts Troop 47, LSI, exercise groups and our church members.
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