News
HOT Grants Distributed to area Organizations: Benton County Historical Society
In 2017, the voters of Vinton passed a ballot measure to establish a 7% hotel/motel tax within the City limits. The tax went into effect on July 1, 2018. Per the Code of Iowa, funds collected must be spent on recreation, convention, cultural or entertainment facilities. Vinton Unlimited has established the Vinton Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Grant program provides financial support to local organizations for community events, cultural and recreational programming, tourism and various other projects. Wiretap Leads to Vinton Man’s Guilty Plea to Conspiring to Distribute Heroin
A man who conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Ryan Rick Schlitter, age 39, from Vinton, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Weather related notices from the city of Vinton
With the impending winter weather, please move parked vehicles off the streets so City crews can get the roads cleared as quickly and safely as possible. Also, sidewalks are to be cleared within 24 hours once snowfall has ceased. Thank you!The Benton County Landfill has closed due to the high winds so J&R is unable to finish today's route. If you live or set your carts on 9th Avenue or live north of Virginia Gay Hospital, please have your carts out Tuesday morning for pickup.
Nathan's Smiles Trail Makes the #4 slot of 9 of the Best places to visit in Iowa
I can picture it now, the guy that Nathan's Smiles Trail is named after grinning and being a little embarrassed that his trail is bringing all the attention to Vinton, but being pretty proud of his little town. In an article entitled, The Best Adventures You Can Experience In Iowa (onlyinyourstate.com) Nathan's Smiles Trail was number 4 on the list. Vinton-Shellsburg Schools Rank in Top 50 Best Iowa Schools
Vinton-Shellsburg’s two elementary schools were named to the top 50 elementary schools in Iowa by U.S. News and World Report. Shellsburg’s five grades, Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade, ranked 50th among Iowa’s 614 elementary schools. Tilford, with grades Kindergarten through 4th grade, ranked #23.The U.S. News and World Report rankings focused on scores for reading and math and shared other important data points.
Urbana man set to plead guilty in death of woman in Center Point
Back in January of 2020, 30-year-old Bret Daniel Klima, of Urbana, was charged with vehicular homicide. In December of 2019 he left the scene of a fatal accident and was charged with other crimes following a hit-and-run in the parking lot of a bar in Center Point.The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 1 in the parking lot of Bully's North in Center Point. Hanson's Hollow hit by fire on Saturday
Pumpkins, gourds, squash, and all your fall decorating needs are possible because of farmers like those at Hanson's Hollow of LaPorte City and other farmers in the area. The La Porte City Fire and Rescue received mutual aid from Gilbertville to contain the fire. The two departments were able to protect nearby buildings in the freezing weather. The barn was a total loss, three nearby buildings located very close to the barn however, were spared. FUN AND LOVE AT THE LIBRARY FROM CENTER POINT FRIENDS
The Center Point community continues to show the love, donating to the Friends of the Library giving trees. Kind contributions to the Socktober tree and the November and December winter warmers tree at the Center Point Library piled up more than 400 items of socks, hats, gloves, booties, scarves, and masks for all ages. Friends forwarded this love to Waypoint (Kids Pointe), the Willis Dady Shelter and the Young Parents Network’s We Care shop in Cedar Rapids. Vinton Librarian recognized by the American Library Association
Renee Greenley, Vinton's Public Librarian, was recognized for her work as the Children and Family Services Librarian while working at the Marion Public Library. During her time at MPL, Renee facilitated and created an abundance of dynamic programming for the Marion community, from engaging toddlers and preschoolers with music and movement and evening “Pajama Story Time” for families to a sensory browsing hour designed to welcome patrons with sensory or behavioral needs. Phippen Becomes New Director for RAGBRAI
In a statement released by RAGBRAI, the organization has announced the appointment of Matt Phippen, from Vinton, as the new Director of Operations. "RAGBRAI®, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, hires Matt Phippen, Iowa native and longtime friend of RAGBRAI, as the director of operations.Phippen, formerly a sales leader at Scheel’s Iowa City, has participated in RAGBRAI indirectly and directly since 1990 when his family hosted riders in his front yard.