Skijoring - a Winter Sport to Enjoy with Equines or Canines

BENTON COUNTY CONSERVATION
December 16, 2025 5:09 pm

By Cecilia Dirks, Office CoordinatorWith winter setting in and predictions for more snow (maybe) this year, I have been looking for different winter activities to get me outside enjoying the outdoors.

Attorney General Brenna Bird Sues Roblox for Endangering Iowa Children

IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL
December 16, 2025 1:36 pm

Attorney General Brenna Bird announced today she has sued the online gaming company Roblox  for failing to take necessary steps to protect Iowa kids from sexual exploitation, facilitating distribution of child sex abuse material, and failing to warn Iowa parents of the ongoing sexual exploitation of children occurring on Roblox.

Celebrate 12 Days of Christmas with a Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

STATE TREASURER
December 15, 2025 5:08 pm

Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and State Treasurer Roby Smith are making the cost of ‘true love’ from the “The Twelve Days of Christmas” less daunting, by reminding Iowans they may have unclaimed property waiting for them.

In honor and remembrance of Iowa National Guard soldiers, flags at half staff

IOWA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
December 15, 2025 11:12 am

Today, Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in  Iowa  to fly at half-staff effectively immediately until sunset on the final day of interment in honor and remembrance of Sgt.

Santa Arrives at the Vinton Skate Center to hear the Christmas Wish Lists

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 13, 2025 11:46 am

Breakfast with Santa was enjoyed by several area children this year. From teeny tiny babies to the children old enough to roll their eyes at mom and say, "Really?" Of course, there were several children enchanted by the bearded fellow, and some brought Santa a picture that they had colored for him.

7th Annual Deck the House Contest runs through this Weekend

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 11, 2025 12:34 pm

Vinton Parks & Recreation Department will be conducting their Deck The House contest through Sunday evening. Take the kids on a tour of the entries and see which ones you think should be the winners! The 7th Annual "Deck the House" contest includes houses within the Vinton City limits.

Santa Assists with the Salvation Army

SALVATION ARMY OF BENTON COUNTY
December 11, 2025 12:17 pm

Santa stopped by on Tuesday to ring the bell at Fareway. He's a great supporter of the Salvation Army's effort to raise money during the Christmas season! He greeted shoppers, young and old with his jolly ho, ho, ho!On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Department took a turn ringing the bell and greeting shoppers as well.

VS FFA Chapter Recognized in the top 1.5% of the nation's 9,407 chapters

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 10, 2025 4:25 pm

Vinton-Shellsburg's FFA group has been very active in the community and in their organization. Representatives of the group spoke to the Vinton Kiwanis Club at their noon meeting in November.

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Hosts Annual Pork BBQ and Degree Ceremony

FFA
December 9, 2025 5:12 pm

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKenna  On Wednesday, November 13th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held its annual Pork BBQ and Degree Ceremony in the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Auditorium.

Enjoying the snow on a little sledding hill

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 9, 2025 3:53 pm

The parking lot at Harvest 365 Church looked like a giant had scooped out a bite of the earth and left a perfect little mountain behind. The guy responsible for plowing the parking lot pushed the snow into one almost-mountain-sized pile in one corner, and turned it into the best sledding hill anyone under five-feet-tall had ever seen.