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News
Improved accessibility to Hannen Lake Park Beach with a new sidewalk.
Benton County Conservation (BCC) is proud to announce the installation of a new accessible sidewalk at the Hannen Lake Park beach—another step forward in making outdoor recreation more inclusive and enjoyable for all.This exciting project began when a visitor to Hannen Lake Park, Amy Williams, expressed a heartfelt hope to see better accessibility at the lake. Move Over! It's the law.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force (CITSTF), and law enforcement across Iowa June 17-19 to educate drivers about the importance of yielding to vehicles on the shoulder displaying flashing lights. Expect to see extra law enforcement on the road looking for those in violation of Iowa’s Move Over Law.
Heat Advisory - updated
UPDATED:A quick note that confidence has increased in heat this weekend and as such we have issued an Extreme Heat Watch for that period for all of eastern Iowa and Rock Island and Mercer Counties in Illinois. If trends continue, some heat headlines will likely be issued for the rest of the area. There are signals this heat may also continue into Monday and possibly Tuesday. Belle Plaine Pharmacists convicted of Stealing Opiods for his own use
A Belle Plaine pharmacist was convicted of diverting oxycodone for his personal use and replacing the opioids with an over-the- counter pain reliever.Thomas Kelly, 55, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with four counts;In counts 1 and 2 he was charged with Prohibited Act - SCH I, II, or III Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony. Counts 3 and 4 were charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug a Serious Misdemeanor. There will be no email on Juneteenth
Due to the federal holiday, there will be no outbound email on Thursday, June 19.If there is any urgent news, or time-sensitive news, it will be posted on the website and an email will go out. The story will then be shared on the Vinton Today Facebook page. Click HERE to follow!
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SACG Makes Upgrades at the City Park
Last summer, a Vinton Shellsburg graduate with the class of 2025 and an Eagle Scout, Brody Waters contributed a Gaga Ball Pit to the Shellsburg City Park. This summer the Shellsburg Area Community Group responded to feedback from youth using the new gaga ball pit in City Park. There was a need for a floor covering for the cement floor. The group with the approval of the City of Shellsburg, was able to cover the floor with a no maintenance rubber surface product. Benton County Farm Bureau Sponsors Rodeo at the Fair
Benton County Farm Bureau is proud to be a gold sponsor of the rodeo at the Benton County Fair this year. The Board of Directors is always looking for a way to give back to the community and this was the perfect opportunity. Benton County Farm Bureau hopes their sponsorship allows friends and family to get together to enjoy this great event! Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Hosts Creative Kids Ag Days
By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn Tuesday, June 10th and Thursday, June 12th, 2025, members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter led two exciting Creative Kids FFA Days, bringing agriculture education to local elementary students through fun, hands-on learning experiences. The first day took place at Tilford Elementary, where FFA members set up a variety of interactive stations to teach students about topics like rabbits, farm equipment, and cuts of meat.
Roadside Chat - It's Bike Season - Be Nice Look Twice
Bicyclists are not easy to spot – especially youth riders. The average youth bike height is four feet and length is only 20-24” often making their little outlines invisible against a backdrop of intersections, vehicles, trees, and structures. That’s why we should steer our nice toward looking twice during bike season. Young riders are even harder to see if they ride in your blind spot and don’t wear bright clothing or helmets. La Porte Police Department assist in take down of Mexican Money Launderer
A Chicago‑area man who acted as a money launderer for a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization was sentenced June 11, 2025 to nearly five years in federal prison. Jose Eladio Medina Valenzuela, age 45, from Cicero, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 6, 2025 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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