News

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It, Don’t Risk It high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 20-June 2, 2024. It is perceived everyone wears a seat belt, but data shows that’s not true.

All Charges are subject to review by the Benton County Attorney’s Office. An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the Defendant is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty. Intrastate Warrants are issued by Law Enforcement Agencies for crimes happening in their jurisdictions.Five Adult Arrests the week of May 6-12, 2024May 6 Deshawn Markeal Reed, 28, Vinton, IAIntrastate Warrant Arrest- Trespass 1st OffenseMay 7 Kimberly Sue Spencer, 39, Vinton, IADomestic Abuse Assault With Injury 1st OffenseMay 7 Robert Eugene Lane, 46, Cedar Rapids, IADriving Under RevocationMay 8 Alfred Malinowski 48 Vinton, IAIntrastate Warrant Arrest-Violation of ProbationMay 12 Tyler Kurtis Stanley, 20, Coggon, IAOperating Under the Influence 1st OffenseZero Juvenile Referrals for the week of May 6-12, 2024Thirteen Code Enforcement ViolationsTall Grass and Weeds x 11Placing Debris on Street x 2 Four Traffic Citations Twenty-two Traffic Warnings for Offenses Two Reported Motor Vehicle Accidents 89 complaints/calls for service were handled by the Vinton Police Department.

The Benton County Fair will once again host Bacon Buddies® in the Swine Arena on Friday, June 21 at 3:00 p.m.Persons with an intellectual and/or developmental disability up to age 23 are paired with one or two youth mentors and a pig. The Bacon Buddies® participants will have the opportunity to experience showing a pig. The judge will assess how the mentors, participant and pig work together as a cohesive unit.

Draft FY 2025-29 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program presented to the Iowa Transportation Commission Today.-The Iowa Department of Transportation presented the Iowa Transportation Commission with the draft Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program at its meeting today. The draft Program documents investments in Iowa’s multimodal transportation system covering aviation, public transit, railroads, trails, and highways.

Day one of the Samantha Bevans trial began with opening arguments from the Assistant Iowa Attorney General, Monty Platz and seated with him was Benton County Assistant Attorney Tim Dille. Representing Samantha Bevans was attorney, Lindsay Garner. It was a he said, she said.The state opened its case to convict Bevans by presenting key pieces of evidence against Bevans.

Vinton-Shellsburg Retireesand Award Winnerswill be honored at a public open-house receptionWednesday, May 15, 2024,from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.at Vinton Skate Center*There will be a brief program at 4:30. 2024 RetireesKris Howes-Vonstein 35 yearsSandy Hamilton 28 yearsBrenda Barkdoll 25 yearsJulie Evans 18 years 2024 Award WinnersTeachers of the Year 

If you drive on Iowa 150 near Urbana you need to be aware of an upcoming construction project that may impact your trip according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Cedar Rapids construction office.Beginning on Friday, May 31 until the middle of July, weather permitting, crews will close part of Iowa 150 near Urbana so bridge reconstruction work on the bridge over Prairie Creek, 1.

Samantha Faith Bevans, 34 formerly of Palo, will face a jury trial in Benton County District Court this week. Jury selection was held on Monday, with 110 jurors being summoned.Charged with first-degree murder for the killing of her stepmother, Jodie Bevans, Samantha will be tried in the Benton County Courthouse. This is the same location of the trial and conviction of her boyfriend Tacoa Talley, 38 of North Liberty.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerThe annual 3rd Grade Ag Day event was held at the fairgrounds on Wednesday, May 1st. 3rd graders from schools in Benton County were invited to participate in the rotations to learn about various animals and safety in agriculture settings. Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members were asked to assist with teaching stations about pigs, chickens, rabbits, and horses.

Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District has been notified of a lawsuit filed by Melinda (Mindy) McClintock, an employee of the school. In the lawsuit, McClintock is requesting a judgment be entered in her favor and is requesting that the Court order the following:-She would like a declaration that the district’s conduct is in violation of the law and make McClintock whole by providing her with appropriate lost earnings and benefits, with interest.