News

Oliviah Doty, a fifth-grader attending Shellsburg Elementary School in Shellsburg, IA has won 1st Place in Community Bankers of Iowa’s (CBI) Money Smart Week Poster Contest. As the Grand Prize winner, Oliviah will receive a $600 Certificate of Deposit. Oliviah’s poster was submitted for judging by Farmers Savings Bank & Trust.CBI has been hosting the Money Smart Week Poster Contest since 1999, as part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Smart Week events (held this year April 10-17).

Quilts of Valor has one mission, "to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." The organization is responsible for presenting 271,408 quilts to service members who have been touched by war. Founder, Catherine Roberts, was a Blue Star Mother and created a means to honor as well as comfort those who have been in harm's way.

Commander Dale Henry of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Smith-Geater Post 8884 and Auxiliary, announced the kick-off of the VFW’s annual Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award launched in 1999 to recognize classroom teachers for promoting citizenship education. VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top classroom, one (1) in each category, K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions effectively.

Vinton-Shellsburg Seniors received over $132,000 in scholarship awards at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Senior Awards Night. The following Scholarships were presented to the High School Senior Class Members.Local ScholarshipsBenton County Cattlemen's Scholarship presented by Drew Fish to: Emma WileyCarson Wealth/Farmers Savings Bank & Trust Scholarship presented by Tom Lindauer to: Emma WileyMike Betterton Memorial Soccer/Wrestling Scholarship presented by Matt Kingsbury to: David Lapan-Islas, Caleb Rickels, Elias Colsch, Ethan Rollinger, Jesse Pladsen, Noah Lindauer, Madison Atkinson, Josephine Sagan, Chloe Tharp, Jaden Voshell, Mycala VanderHeiden, Marjorie Davis, Maren Redlinger, Bryce RadekeScott Hill "Go Hard or Go Home" Memorial Scholarship presented by Sandy Hamilton to: Brooks EricksonShellsburg Area Community Group presented by Ed Schaeffer to: Madison Atkinson, Julia ShultisUS Bank Scholarship presented by Cindy Stier to: Lydia RadekeKeystone Communications presented by Scott Tandy to: Elijah KalousJeanette M.

The VFW Auxiliary organization began back in 1914, uniting Americans with the desire to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families and communities. Membership in the organization, include some requirements for membership. The Benton County Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 was established in 1947. Both men and women are part of the Auxilary.

St. Mark Lutheran Church in Garrison held the Rite of Confirmation this past Sunday, May 16th.  The church welcomed three new confirmands, Alana Fleming, Benjamin Buhr, and Lucas Birker.  A reception to honor these young adults was held immediately following in the fellowship area.St. Mark Lutheran Church is located at 101 N. Walnut Ave. in Garrison with worship at 8:30 a.

In response to last Summer’s derecho, the Vinton Lions Club is partnering with Trees Forever and Frazier Nursery to support the replacement of trees in the Vinton-Shellsburg School District area. The Vinton Lions Club, with support of a $5000 grant from Trees Forever, will provide (at no cost to the public) 48 well-established trees (approximately 10 ft.

EMS Week, which is May 16-22 and is the perfect time to thank paramedics, EMTs and the entire EMS workforce for their service and sacrifices. Just in time for EMS Week, the North Benton Ambulance Service is welcoming a new director. Anna Demuth a mom of five and wife to Adam, is also a Critical Care Paramedic, Horse show mom, her family helps with her brothers' appaloosa show horses, and the children also show horses.

Just about 50% of the goal has been raised to pay for the website redesign, which is still in progress. I don't need to sell you on the importance of Vinton Today, obviously, you find it important or you wouldn't be reading this! So I won't drag it out, but please know that every dollar that you can donate toward the cause is very much appreciated.

Vinton Unlimited is on a mission to give "The City of Lights" well, more lights. Especially at Christmas time. At last week's City Council meeting, Melody Snow, director of Vinton Unlimited, along with Vinton City Council Member Andrew Elwick, spoke in support of adding more lights on C Ave. along the path that would welcome motorists that arrive in Vinton from the South.