News
Big Boy 4014 Steams through Benton County
"Big Boy 4014" made it through Benton County on Thursday. Built in 1941, the train has a 4-8-8-4 configuration, which means it has four guide wheels in front, two sets of eight drive wheels, and four wheels in the back. Because of its length, the design helped the train to make it around curves.132 feet long and weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, Big Boy is the largest steam engine ever to be produced. Benton County Board of Supervisor Notes for 9/3/24
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in session on Tuesday morning, September 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowaThe agenda and minutes were approved with a spelling correction.Sheriff Ron Tippett presented a contract for the patrolling with the City of Norwaty for 520 hours over the next 12 month at an hourly rate of $32. Fremont Township continues to seek funding and make repairs following derecho
Four years sounds like a long time for any project. But the dedication of the Fremont Township Trustees was obvious as they came before the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The Fremont Township Hall was hit by the derecho causing the township to find sources of funding to repair the building. Andy Jones, the clerk for the Fremont Township Trustees, addressed the board concerning a request for a loan for the Fremont Township Hall.
STATE AUDITOR HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
State Auditor Rob Sand hEld a news conference today to discuss a report on a special investigation of the University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy Machine Shop. The report identifies more than $943,000 diverted into a personal bank account that should have been deposited into the University's account.The special investigation was requested by University officials because a
member of the Department, Brian Busch, failed to disclose his ownership of D3Signtech (D3T) in
compliance with the University's Conflicts of Interest and Commitment policy.
Big Boy will be making its way through Iowa on the Heartland of America Tour
Heartland of America TourBig Boy No. 4014 departed on the "Heartland of America Tour" on Wednesday, August 28 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and travel across nine additional states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The eight-week tour concludes in late October. No. 4014 will be on display in the following locations: Note: All scheduled times and locations are subject to change. Koob arrested racking up seven charges
Stephanie Koob of Vinton is under arrest after backing her vehicle into a Cedar Rapids Police car. She then led police on a high-speed chase through Cedar Rapids ending in her arrest. Koobs failed to exit her vehicle when an officer investigating active warrants that were out for her arrest. She then backed into the police car causing $1,500-$10,000 in damages. V-S FFA Embraces the Fair Fever
By: Sophia Newton, Co-ReporterThe Iowa State Fair took place at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines from August 8th through the 18th. Throughout this time, FFA members had great experiences at the Iowa State Fair, where they showcased their skills and gained valuable lessons from their contests. In the swine show, Abby McKenna earned 3rd place overall Tamworth Barrow. Iowa unveils first-of-its-kind-in-the-nation child care availability website
Governor Kim Reynolds unveiled a new, first-of-its kind-in-the-nation, website called Iowa Child Care Connect (childcareconnect.iowa.gov) to help Iowans more easily find child care availability near their homes, where they attend school or near parents and caretakers work places.“Using Iowa’s Child Care Connect, Iowa parents will be able to locate any open child care spots in their neighborhood or along their route to work-- almost in real time,” said Governor Reynolds.
Iowa Office Combats Human Trafficking by participating in multi-state operation
On August 22, 2024, the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Office to Combat Human Trafficking partnered with law enforcement and service providers from across the United States to conduct a multi-state human trafficking operation. This operation, named "Coast to Coast," was a grassroots effort involving 12 states with the common goals of identifying trafficking victims, offering these victims much-needed services, arresting traffickers, and making our communities safer.
Benton County Friends of 4-H receive donation from Prairie Creek Sports Club
For the last few years the Prairie Creek Sports Club, a division of Whitetails Unlimited, has presented a check to the Benton County Friends of 4-H. A check in the amount of $3000 was presented at the Benton County Fair. Friends of 4-H was established in 2015 to raise funds to provide scholarships to local 4-Hers wanting to expand their 4-H experience.