News
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. Iowans Express Concern Over Distracted Driving
For the second consecutive year, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and Iowa State Patrol collaborated at the Iowa State Fair to survey attendees on cell phone use while driving. The survey, conducted with over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county, revealed significant concerns about distracted driving.Despite half of respondents admitting to at least sometimes driving with a cell phone in hand, over 90% say the behavior is extremely dangerous.
City Administrator shares a "State of the City" talk with Kiwanis
City Administrator, Chris Ward began his presentation to the Vinton Kiwanis Club last week with good news, 1st St. West (the street that runs next to Mickey's Bar and out to the Legion) is officially completed. The project began last year and was almost completed until it was discovered that some of the materials were not the quality that road needed. Does your bike tire need a little air?
Thanks to the support of the Vinton Community Foundation, the library now offers a bike repair station. Located outside of the north entrance, you can now air up your tires and there is even a wrench if you have a loose bolt on your bike. This can be used by any bike riders in the community and will benefit the library's bicycle-powered bookmobile. Paramedic’s 911 response leads to warning from regulators
By Clark KauffmanAn Iowa paramedic has been sanctioned by the state for an alleged failure to perform lifesaving services in response to a 911 emergency call.According to the Iowa Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services, paramedic Katelyn Leisinger of Ute and her EMS partner responded to a 911 call on May 28, 2024. Upon arrival, Leisinger and her partner began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.