News

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker From April 14th through April 16th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter went to the 96th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference. V-S FFA had over 50 members who went to the conference to participate in numerous contests! All of the members worked extremely hard to prepare for the State Convention, by putting in many hours into applications and practices.

NOTICEROADSIDE SPRAYINGRoadside spraying will begin May 6, 2024Signs Available for Native & Wildflower PlantsNO OTHER SIGNS WILL BE GIVEN(2024 Program will be spot spraying only)Benton County has a Do Not Spray Sign permitting process that can be found in the IRM portion of the Benton County Website. Residents interested in this program will need to fill out a permit and pay a one-time fee to enroll in the program which includes two signs and posts.

UPDATE: CLOSURE OF U.S. 218 IN VINTON NOW BEGINS ON MONDAY, MAY 13If you drive on U.S. 218 in Vinton 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 Wednesday, May 1 until early June, weather permitting, crews will close part of U.

As temperatures rise, rural roadways will soon see an increase in farm equipmentPlanting season has begun with vigor, and it is crucial for motorists to be aware of safety precautions while sharing the roadways with farm machinery.Steven Freeman, a professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, shares his top advice for motorists, along with farm equipment operators.

In a conversation with Kevin Kirchner, the General Manager of the Light Plant he explained that the power outage in Vinton on Sunday was due to a lightning strike. Lightning struck in the area of Celebration Park on 2nd St. Damage was assessed from the ground and crews and equipment were brought to the scene to repair the damage.During outages, calls to the plant cannot be returned nor follow up calls made.

An Operation Quick Find has been issued for Alison Kay Harris. Harris is 16 years old and last seen on April 25. She is a white female 5'1" and weighs approximately 115 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a green t-shirt and black sweatpants. According to reports she ran away from her mother's home in Vinton. She could be in the Urbana or Central City area as well.

Amy Buckley of the Riverview Center, met with the Benton County Supervisors as part of an effort to bring awareness to April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Riverview Center a nonprofit agency is committed to compassionate client centered care for individuals affected by sexual assault in Iowa. The Center provides free and confidential sexual and domestic assault services to those in need.

Each year, Blessed Hope Community Church holds a Faith in Action in town mission trip. The church is making plans now for their 2024 trip. Labor Projects are needed, nominate someone today! Could you or someone you know benefit from free labor services such as yard work, cleaning, light construction, painting/scraping, etc.?Nominations for projects are due by May 3, 2024!If you don't consider BHCC your home church but are interested in helping to provide labor services, reach out to Haley!Contact Haley at (319) 558-6880 with any questions or to submit a verbal nomination.

Was residing in a state residential facility and used an employee’sphone to view and download child pornography A man who received child pornography over the internet while in a residential facility for a prior child pornography charge pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.             Brady David Salow, age 27, from Vinton, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receiving child pornography.

The City Council met on Thursday, night. Following a call to order, roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda, consent agenda were approved. The following was also approved were the council work session & meeting minutes of April 11, 2024.Received and filed were:-Airport meeting minutes of April 17, 2024-Library meeting minutes of March 13, 2024-Parks & Rec meeting minutes of April 11, 2024The following was approved:-cigarette/tobacco permits for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Casey’s (C Ave) and Casey’s (W 4th Street)-special class C retail alcohol license for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies- special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps-City invoicesCommunications and petitions or remonstrances were filed.