News

On Thursday, August 31, 2017 Ranae Leanne Becker, age 47, of Vinton, Iowa, appeared in the Iowa District Court in and for Benton County for pronouncement of judgment and sentence. Previously, on July 13, 2017, Ms. Becker had entered a guilty plea to the offense of Theft in the First Degree (a class C felony) for embezzling nearly $50,000.00 from the Benton Development Group from January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2014 when she served as the Group's Executive Director.

Raegan Junge reads a note she wrote for hurrican victims receiving the donated items she is shipping to a Red Cross shelter in Texas, as her friend and neighbor Payton Armstrong helps fill the box. For more than half of her life, Raegan Junge has been making news as she helps people throughout the United States who have been affected by tornadoes and other natural disasters.

Rjtnt Farm of Lawler exhibited the Grand Champion Bull and the Champion Iowa Bull in the Miniature Herford Cattle Show judged August 18 at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. Smith Mini Herefords of Fairfield took home the Reserve Grand Champion Bull banner and the Premier Breeder banner. Grand Champion Prospect Steer was award to Rolling Hills Minature Herefords of Blakesburg.

Webster Farms of Walker was awarded the Grand Champion Bull banner in the Angus Show judged Tuseday at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. Schroeder Angus of Clarence claimed Reserve Champion Bull and Champion Iowa Bull titles. Abby Collison of Rockwell City showed the Grand Champion Female as well as the Grand Champion Iowa Female. Maddy Udell of Sioux City exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Female.

Max Petzenhauser of Story County exhibited the Grand Champion Market Meat Goat in the 4-H Market Meat Goat show judged Thursday at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Meat Goat banner went to David Iehl of Linn County. Petzenhauser also exhibited the Third Place Overall Market Meat Goat. Fallon Finnegan of Benton County won Fourth Place Overall, and Jayce Malone of Polk County rounded it out with Fifth Place Overall.

Morris "Butch" Tilson William Keller joins Jeff, Drake and Devon Tilson in dedicating the newest trap house to Butch Tilson. When, during the final years of his life, Morris "Butch" Tilson watched the Red Cedar Shooters trap team grow, he realized there was a big need. As the team numbers swelled to 40 or more, it became clear to Butch that it was time to add a second trap house to the Izaak Walton League's Red Cedar Chapter.

The new Birker dairy building; a sign is under way for the front above the entrance. Owen Birker, pictured with his dad, Jeff, explores the brand new, 24-stall milking station that will see its first use at the new Birker dariy farm building on Thursday. Thursday will be a big day for Birker, Inc., the rural Vinton dairy farm owned by Ken and Bob Birker and operated by many members of the Birker family.

Elementary-aged children from across the state squared off in the Youth Spelling Bee sponsored by JACK'S ® Pizza, judged Friday, August 11, at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. Complete results below: Youth 5th and 6th grades 1) Gretchen Hoft, Eldridge 2) Mabel Langel, Manning 3) Devan Renes, Des Moines 4) Aleric Weber, Vinton 5) Clara Fields, Ames Youth 3rd and 4th grades 1) Sudarshan Prasanna, Bettendorf 2) Tanya Rastogi, Bettendorf 3) Brianna Redmond, Earlham 4) Christy Knapp, North English 5) Caden Sallach, Red Oak Youth 1st and 2nd grades 1) Kanzah Munir, Urbandale 2) Isaac Sumcad.

Scotty Young of Epworth won Supreme FFA Exhibitor and Lyon Lakaya of North Cedar claimed Top Cow Production Record in the FFA and 4-H Dairy Show judged Saturday, August 19th at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. Additional results below: Champion Jersey: Kaylee Koss, Dubuque County Reserve Champion Jersey: Emily Bonert, Dubuque County Champion A

Young Fairgoers pedaled their way to success in the Pedal Power Pull held Tuesday at the 2017 Iowa State Fair. In the Pedal Power Pull, kids attempt to pedal a mini tractor 40 feet (a "full pull") pulling a box weighing 80 pounds for 4-year-olds to 260 pounds for 11-year-olds. In the event of a tie or two full pulls, weight is added and a re-pull is held to determine the winner.