Congresswoman Ashley Hinson made stops in downtown Vinton on Monday morning. Accompanied by Melody Snow of Vinton Unlimited and Vinton's Mayor Bud Maynard, she visited area businesses in downtown Vinton.

Vinton Unlimited’s You Light Up My July summer punch card is off and running!  Nate Phillips was the first weekly winner, and this week Leah Edwards won!  Each won $50 in Vinton Value Dollars!  Who will be next?!  If you want a chance to win one of the remaining weekly drawings, get shopping!   For every $10 spent locally at one of the participating businesses, you can receive a punch on a You Light Up My July punch card.

Folks are asking what's needed by Crew Chief Janice Smith for our "Back to School" night on August 7th at the Benton County Speedway and HERE is the list she has sent me, Its a long one but we are doing our best to fill as many bags as possible.

Pictured in the Group Photo:Back Row - Left to Right: Rachel Rollinger, Paul Herger, Grace Schminke, Evan Lopata, Gunnar Schminke, Andrew Pingenot, Austin Noe, Josh Wiley, Kail Evans, Ben McGowan, andRyan ShipleyFront Row - Left to Right: Sam Lundvall, Carley Clark, Megan Schlitter, Izzie Birker, Jade Pohlmann, Madeline Pingenot, Brody Waters, and Jerry LeeBy: Co-Reporter, Grace SchminkeOn Wednesday, July 6th, the Vinton-Shellsburg Chapter took 18 members to spend the day at the Lost Island Waterpark.

For the last several years, the "old steam plant" located on West 8th St. a block north of the former Braille Sight Savings School property, has become an eye sore, at best.

In less than a year, 22-year-old Nathaniel James Taylor of Vinton was charged a second time for the following three charges as the result of acts of a sexual nature:-dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, a serious misdemeanor (September 12, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-Sex abuse 3rd Degree - Child Victim - Person 4 or more years older 1st offense a Class C Felony (September 13, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-minor - cause to engage in act Class C Felony  (September 22, 2021 and July 13, 2022)The latest charges were filed by the Vinton Police Department with Taylor being arrested on July 13, 2022.

Following the accident of a 13-year-old member of the Lil Race Car Club there is an effort to collect bicycle helmets for the membership this Sunday night, July 24.

Vinton Unlimited held their Annual 2-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament last Friday at the Vinton Country Club. The event was open to anyone who wanted to participate.

The Benton County Speedway Bullring Lil Racer Car Club is seeking donations of new school supplies and filled or unfilled school-themed backpacks that we will hand out to kids 14 and under who pick up a ticket from the Lil Racer Clubhouse on the night of August 7.

Summer is in full swing and there are many things that make Iowa summers so great. From hitting the trails to cooling off at the public pool to attending farmers markets, county fairs and other events – there is no shortage of things to do.