By Ashley Hesson, VSU Coach The VSU girls had another great showing at the North Central Swim Conference meet on Saturday (Oct 21) in Decorah. --4th in a group of 7 strong teams - top 3 teams all had over 30 swimmers --Arabella Shepard won both her individual events (100 butterfly and 100 backstroke), and helped the 200 medley relay place 1st and the 200 freestyle relay place 2nd --Geordyn Webster took 2nd in her 100 freestyle and 3rd in her 50 freestyle individual events, and was also on the same successful 200 free and medley relays as Shepard --Lizzie Moore and Natalie Tecklenburg had some of their best relay splits of the year - which helped the medley and free relays drop 5 and 4 seconds respectively --the rest of the team also had strong swims, again all helping to score points in the team standings.

Aaron Maue and his family rely on volunteers to help set up the 80,000 or so lights that fill their neighborhood north of Center Point with colors and music each Christmas.

The Union High School Vocal Department is currently taking bookings for the Union Carolers for any holiday event in the Northeast/Eastern Iowa area. The Union Carolers is a 16-voiced a capella ensemble that will provide up to 20 minutes of holiday music for any festive event.

The 2017 high school football team will end for most schools tonight. Vinton-Shellsburg (1-7) ends its season at Benton Community (5-3) with its last Class 3A District 3 matchup.

TheCasey's General Stores company has purchased the Fast Stop in Vinton, west of its current location. The Fast Stop at the corner of 4th street and Highway 218 will close at the end of October, although its electronic pumps will be in operation through Nov.

This year's ornament features Veteran's Park. Ornaments are also available at Arnold Motor Supply, Cameron's, Clingman Pharmacy, Henkle Creek, Jessy's Gems, LaGrange Pharmacy, Nature's Corner, Three D Kitchens and Viking Sewing as well as the Vinton Unlimited located in City Hall.

This Saturday, October 21, at 2 p.m. in the Longfellow Elementary Auditorium in Belle Plaine, actors from Belle Plaine and Pella will re-enact the murder trial of Wyatt Earp and his brothers and Doc Holliday.

The Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau asks you to finish the school year strong and safe. Buckle up, do the speed limit and don't text and drive.

Elizabeth Moen is still making records. In an era of iPods and podcasts, compact discs and downloads, YouTube and Vimeo, vinyl is making a comeback, says Elizabeth.

Lee made this map showing many of the places he's traveled. It appears on the side of the wagon he drove to Vinton today. Lee the Horselogger heads south on Highway 150 to Vinton, where he planned to camp at the Benton County Fairgrounds.