News

Summary of Enhanced Public Health Measures Effective Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 12:01 a.m. until Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11:59 p.m. Mask Use: Indoor spaces open to the public & State executive branch buildings Masks required when individuals are WITHIN 6 FEET OF ONE ANOTHER FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER with certain exceptions Gathering Restrictions: Social, community, business, or leisure gatherings · No more than 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors · These restrictions apply to wedding receptions, family gatherings, conventions, and other nonessential gatherings but do not apply to gatherings that occur during the ordinary course of business or government Sporting and Recreational Events: Youth and adult group sporting and recreational gathering are prohibited except for high school, college, and professional sports High School Sports & Extracurriculars: Sporting, recreational, and extracurricular events · Only two spectators permitted for each high school athlete, performer or competitor, and must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators · Students can be closer than six feet and are not required to wear masks Restaurants and Bars: Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club · Closed to in-person services at 10:00pm · No bar seating · Masks required when not seated (while playing games, dancing, etc.

If you are like me, you might pull up at the curb in downtown Vinton. You get out and go about your business. You might observe the clean street and sidewalk, the displays in the store windows, or maybe some sales that are posted. The Cottage Garden Society of Vinton helped provide a touch of beauty to the downtown Vinton area. Members of the society donated their time and talent; with the help of the local FFA.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School was the location for the celebration of Veteran’s Day. With social distancing and masks worn the veterans appreciated the recognition of their service. The ceremony is usually held at the middle school with the complete student body in attendance, but this year it was limited to the high school. The day began with breakfast and followed with a drum cadence while students filed through the cafeteria, some holding signs thanking the veterans for their service as well as several small American flags.

As part of the annual Veteran’s Day Assembly, held by the Vinton Shellsburg Community School,  a Quilt of Valor was presented. Sewn by area quilter Rita Moore, the quilt was made for Wilbur Corcoran of Dysart. Elayne Gasset a member of the Quilts of Valor organization made the presentation sharing the history of the program. To date, the program has awarded quilts to over 260,805 veterans touched by war.

All-State Music Festival Vinton Shellsburg High School student,  Madilynne Beauchamp has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being [sel]ed as a member of the 2020 All-State Chorus. Madilynne is the daughter of  Morgan and Becky Kuper of Shellsburg and a Choral student of Michala Martin.  The 2020 Festival concert would have celebrated the 74th anniversary of this prestigious event.

Updated: He has been found and is well!!Benton County man has gone missing. The Benton County Sheriffs Department is asking for your help in locating Rawson Behel Who was last seen on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. He was driving a white 2017 Ford Escape SE with plate number IPR 134. He left at Vinton residence headed to Sam’s Club in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

To our Veterans and their families, Thank you for your service and for your sacrifices. That seems like such a tiny phrase for the monumental service that you've given to our country. As we take today to recognize you, we hope that you know just how much your service has been appreciated by all of us. Follow this link to view photos of Veterans who at one time lived in Benton County.

By: Annabelle NewtonOn Friday, November 6th the Vinton Shellsburg FFA Chapter had six members attend the Northeast District Greenhand Fireup, at the Edgewood Colesburg High School. Our six greenhand members in attendance include Ty Lillabridge, Landon Smith, Mathew Bookmeier, Rachel Rollinger, and Tori Elwick. The members were greeted with an opening session led by the Northeast District Officer team.

Colman Silbernagel, Benton County Republican Central Committee Chairman, presents a check to Scott Hansen, Benton County Disaster Recovery CoalitionLast week, the Benton County Republican Central Committee presented a check for $750 to the Benton County Disaster Relief Coalition to support ongoing derecho recovery efforts."After the storm hit Iowa, we were hesitant to continue fundraising efforts," said Colman Silbernagel, committee chairman.

On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at approximately 5:47 a.m., the Vinton Police Department responded to a single motor vehicle accident in the 100 Block of C Avenue.  Upon officers arrival the driver had fled the scene.  Damage of the vehicle was a total loss.  The vehicle prior to coming to rest on its right side had impacted another vehicle parked at 101 C Avenue as well as impacting the east side of the house, destroying the outer structure revealing the interior of the kitchen area.