News
Belle Plaine to consider four-day school week
Belle Plaine Community School District is considering something a little out of the box. They are considering a four day school week after community support was shown for the idea. Last year the school conducted a survey that sought feedback on the idea and it received a positive response to the idea. The idea came from parents, teachers and community members.
Auditor: More than $400K in public money misspent through state-run program
By Clark KauffmanIowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a report Thursday that says more than $400,000 in taxpayer money was improperly spent through a program run by Iowa Workforce Development.At a press conference Thursday, Sand characterized the matter as a case of “embezzlement” that involves programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by Iowa Workforce Development. Rep. Gerhold Welcomes Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg, Marengo FFA Chapters
On Wednesday, Rep. Tom Gerhold (R-Atkins) welcomed members of the Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg and Marengo FFA chapters to the Iowa House during the FFA Legislative Symposium. Birthday Wishes make the day of former Vinton Woman
Celebrating 109 birthdays is a pretty big deal. Receiving birthday cards over more than a century has evolved from a handwritten wish to an online source of well wishes. However, when Alice Hootman's daughter requested that we put out a call for birthday cards to celebrate her 109th birthday, she didn't expect to receive two special letters of recognition from the leaders in the state. Wesley United Methodist Church has received a $10,000 grant from the BCCF
Wesley United Methodist Church has received a $10,000 grant from the Benton County Community Foundation. It was presented to many deserving community organizations totaling $149,000! Ours will be used to make restrooms ADA compliant for the many folks who use our building. This will allow all families equal access. Among them our monthly food pantry, AA, WIC, Boy Scouts Troop 47, LSI, exercise groups and our church members. Vinton-Shellsburg Fine Arts Century Club receives Donation
The Vinton-Shellsburg Fine Arts Century Club has received a gift of $1,000.00 from the estate of Esther Ann Hite. This gift has been directed through the Bethlehem Evandgelical Lutheran Church Congregation. We thank them for this gift. The Fine Arts Century Club is a community-based organization whose mission is to provide primarily financial support to the fine arts programs at Vinton-Shellsburg high school and middle school. Senate panel passes latest attempt to ban hand-held phones for drivers
By Robin OpsahlAdvocates and senators at a Statehouse meeting Wednesday said they were hopeful that 2025 will be the year the Legislature can finally pass a hands-free cellphone bill for drivers.Senate File 22 passed unanimously out of subcommittee Wednesday. It’s the latest attempt by Iowa lawmakers to establish fines for drivers handling cellphones when they’re behind the wheel except in hands-free or voice-activated modes.
Baby Boy Declared Safe Haven in December
Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born December 3 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 74 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. This brings the total to eight cases in 2024, including a baby girl born October 13 and a baby girl born on November 11.
DNR sets public meetings to recap hunt season discuss possible changes
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.“We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau.
VFW and Auxiliary Department of Iowa essay winners
Our VFW and Auxiliary District 2 had several winners last weekend at our Midwinter conference in Des Moines, Iowa. We had a student from Independence, Iowa Post 2440 who wrote his Voice of Democracy essay. He finished as runner up at state competition. Matthew Loomis entered his essay on "IS AMERICA TODAY OUR FOREFATHERS' VISION?" These students can enter this contest if they are in 9-12th grade.