News

Have you decided on a New Year’s resolution yet? Regardless of if you have or not, you should choose a New Year’s resolution that makes a difference in your life and the lives of others. Choose to share your time and talents in 2022 to make it a better year for yourself and our community.Volunteering benefits those who volunteer, the clients who are served, and builds a sense of community.

We're asking for your help in reporting sightings of Iowa's secretive gray fox!Gray foxes are different than the more common red fox (check the ID guide below). Gray fox were listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Iowa in 2015 based on a decline in the gray fox population observed over the past 25 years. Similar trends have been noted in several other Midwestern states.

 By: Co-Reporter, Grace Schminke On Thursday, December 23rd, Vinton-Shellsburg hosted their holiday lock-in party. The chapter started with hosting their monthly meeting in the barn at 7:00 P.M. and then a gingerbread bread house-making contest out of pop tarts immediately following. After the meeting, there was a chance for students that were going to stay to go and get supper if they wanted to.

During Saturday's snowstorm, UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids welcomed their first baby of 2022. The first baby to arrive was Elaina Laura born to Aaric and Morgan Rust of Norway. She weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces. She was born at 9:47 a.m. according to the hospital. Welcome to Benton County, and Congratulations mom and dad!

Carter Pottebaum has officially accepted the 50 yard challenge! The 7 year old Vinton boy is completing this challenge as part of a movement by a non-profit called Raising Men Lawn Care Service. Carter has shoveled at 4 houses so far but he can also do other jobs. He can rake leaves, mow, remove trash, and even cleans off trampolines! His mom Jasmin said about Carter, "He has such a good heart and LOVES To help others! After he completes the 50 yards he gets to meet the owner of the nonprofit and earns a lawnmower, leafblower and weed eater.

Some area residents have noticed something different about garbage and recycling collection in Vinton. It used to take two trips to collect the trash on days that both garbage and recycling are put out to be picked up. The first round would collect the trash, and the second round collected the recycling...or visa versa.Several residents have noticed that both the garbage and recycling are being collected into one truck and were concerned that both were going to the landfill.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter welcomed Iowa FFA State Officer, Avery Hanaway, and District Officer, John Moellers to a chapter visit on December 17, 2021. While at the high school, Avery and John led interactive workshops for the agriculture education classes. They also talked with the agricultural education instructor, Gabrielle Power about the future of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter.

I can't believe that we are about to enter into 2022 already! It seems like just a few weeks ago that we wrapped up 2020!They say that time flies when you're having fun, and apparently, we've been having a ton of fun!There will be no email going out tomorrow, but you know the drill, it's not like this website EVER shuts down, there will just be one less perk tomorrow.

Updated:Vinton Parks & Recreation Department and Vinton Unlimited partnered up for the 2021 Deck the House Contest! Funded by the HOT Grant, we were able to offer increased prizes this year! We want to thank everyone who registered for the competition this year and recognize the winners for each category. A special shoutout to Mike & Cindy Elwick who placed first in the Elegant Category and decided to donate their winnings to be disbursed amongst everyone who signed up this year that did not place.

The GRAND PRIZE winner of the Holiday Lights Punch Card drawing is . . . KRISTI ELWICK! Congratulation, Kristi! Kristi's prize is valued at almost $800! Thank you to the following local businesses that helped make this all possible: Arnold Motor Supply, Benton County Historical Society, Cameron’s Clothing, Echo Vision-US Cellular, Ervin Motor Company, Flower’s by Nature’s Corner, Henkle Creek Mercantile, John’s Qwik Stop, LaGrange Pharmacy, Michael & Dowd, Old Hospital Pub, Palace Theater, Pourville Art Studio & Gallery, Three D Kitchens/The Niche/Brickside Brew & Chew, Tootsies Ice Cream, Viking Plaza, Viking Sewing Center, & Vinton Unlimited.