Iowa HHS is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Since 2011, this annual observance — founded and coordinated by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has been held on the third Thursday of November to spotlight the unique healthcare challenges and remarkable strength of the nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Charles & Helen Yundt Charitable Foundation supporting the installation of three high-definition security cameras on the hospital campus.

Iowa taxpayers and businesses now have a fully-integrated, easy-to-use revenue system for tax, alcohol, and lottery operations. This modernized system allows them to file and pay taxes, obtain business licenses and permits, and easily correspond with the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Group photo:  Kassidi Brunssen, Will McKenna, Andrew Allsup, Levi Lutz, Jonah Meyer, Jameson Demuth, Zane Helter, Cole Birker, Braedon Hepker, Kirsten Pettit, Ciara Dods, Ali Lutz, Bri Dulin, Abby McKenna, Sophia Newton, Bridgette Castle, Zoey McClintock, Katelyn Fleming and Raine Wheeler outside of Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Big Read Community Art Contest is underway and entries are due by December 1, 2025! VGFA is inviting submissions of original artwork related to the themes in the book, Bewilderment, by Richard Powers, the focus of the Vinton Public Library's Big Read program this year.

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKenna  The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter recently teamed up with the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Alumni to prepare the community for the holiday season through their annual Lights and Roping project.

Attorney General Brenna Bird is giving Iowans tips for a scam-free holiday season.  As many Iowans are preparing for the holidays, scammers are working hard to take advantage of them.

On Monday morning, following less than a full day of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict in the trial of Luke Truesdell. Truesdell was charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of  Amanda Parker of Vinton, Keonna Ryan of Cedar Rapids, and Brent Brown of Marion.

Benton County Conservation and the Old Creamery Nature Trail are working to develop the newest trailhead located in Vinton. The new location of the OCNT Trailhead is located off of 13th Street past Kwik Star and just west of the FS plant.

After nearly two weeks of witness testimony, evidence presentation, and security-camera video, the state delivered its closing arguments Thursday in the trial of Luke Truesdell, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.