Salute to the Fallen honors SPC Mason Webber with Motorcycle Ride

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 20, 2020 2:47 pm

Click for photos of the event.Shellsburg is home to one of Iowa's 88 Freedom Rocks. Saturday it was the centerpiece for a ride that was created to honor a fallen soldier SPC Mason Webber.

Benton County Fair in progress

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 17, 2020 3:34 pm

COVID isn't going to stop the sheep, cows, pigs, chicken and all of the kids from making a trip to the Benton County Fair. The audience is much smaller in the barns, but the enthusiasm and dedication these kids have is large enough to fill the place.

Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa Launch ‘CAREforce for our WORKforce"

VINTON TODAY
July 16, 2020 11:14 pm

Iowa Women’s Foundation, Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa Launch ‘CAREforce for our WORKforce” in Support of Child Care Professionals New campaign urges public to recognize child care providers as essential workers.

Area Residents participate in the Bible Reading Marathon

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 16, 2020 4:11 pm

A group of Vinton residents met on the courthouse lawn to participate in the 2020 Iowa Bible Reading Marathon. Taking the scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and will turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land,” as their theme.

What's up with that? Coin Shortage

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 15, 2020 4:13 pm

If you're online at all, or if you've seen signs up at stores that declare there is a coin shortage, you might be like me and you want to ask the local bank, “What's up with that?”I reached out to a couple of out local banks and found that they were told by the Federal Reserve that "there is a coin shortage due to the mint being closed down for a period of time because of COVID-19.

Oak Grove Church puts their Faith in Action

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 15, 2020 4:07 am

For the 2nd year in a row, the Oak Grove Church put their faith to work. A group of more than 50 members of the church met this past week to minister to people in the community.

Lamont and Lang address area Kiwanis Club

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 13, 2020 8:09 pm

Lillie Lamont and Carli Lang addressed the Vinton Kiwanis Club in Vinton. The two shared several experiences from their time in New Jersey as the fought alongside other healthcare workers in the battle against COVID-19.

Vinton's landscape is changing quickly in several areas

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 13, 2020 4:50 am

The big highlight of the year has been the continued progress of the iVinton project. Something more than a decade in the works. It's been a project that doesn't have a lot of physical things that you can see.

Benton County currently at 20 active COVID-19 Cases

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 11, 2020 4:32 am

The total cases of COVID-19 cases have risen by 6 in the last week.  Benton County numbers are at 75 since the beginning of the pandemic. Currently, out of Benton County's 25,645 residents: 2,356 have been tested2,274 are negative75 cases total54 have recovered20 active cases1 death In Region 6 which includes Benton County, there are:25 Hospitalized5 in ICU2 admitted in the last 24 hours1.

Iowa Department of Transportation asking for community input on roundabout

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
July 10, 2020 4:24 pm

April 9, 2015 one of the most horrific accidents occurred on the Hwy150 intersection on the west edge of Urbana.  Killing 5 area youth Quentin Ray Ary, 19, of Vinton; Triston James-Ray Randall, 17, of Urbana; Nicole Renee Jacobson, 20, of Vinton; Hunter William Tuttle, 14; and Zoey Lynnae Tuttle, 12, were killed when the pickup they were riding in pulled into the path of a semi.