News

Vinton Unlimited, in conjunction with our local veteran organizations, is excited to kick off the holiday season with the 17th Annual Lighted Parade! Let’s make this the brightest year yet! Date: November 21st Time: 6 PM Location: Downtown Vinton Santa will be visiting all the way from the North Pole! (We kindly ask that no other Santas attend.) Theme: Christmas or Patriotic – let your creativity shine! Free hot cocoa will be served to keep you warm!This event is FREE, no registration is required, and everyone is welcome! Join us IN the parade or as a spectator.

Difference Maker Presentation4. We are proud to recognize Maddy Svoboda as a Positive Difference Maker in our school district. Maddy serves as our athletic trainer, offering invaluable support to both student-athletes and coaches. She has gone above and beyond her role by organizing response training with local emergency responders, ensuring that our teams are prepared for any situation.

 Iowans who received sheltering through the State of Iowa Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP) due to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred in April, May, and June 2024 will continue to have access to the program as winter weather approaches. "As we head into the fall and winter seasons, it's important that Iowa survivors continue to have access to safe shelter as they work towards rebuilding,” said John Benson, Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

 The Iowa Department of Public Safety's Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is encouraging all Iowans to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled for October 26, 2024. This biannual event is an opportunity for Iowans to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously. Local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies are teaming up to collect leftover prescription and over-the-counter medication during this one-day event held each spring and fall.

By Robin OpsahlThe Iowa Secretary of State’s office says it has found 87 noncitizens who voted in the state’s elections, as well as 67 noncitizens who have registered to vote but have not yet cast a ballot.Secretary of State Paul Pate reported Tuesday the office found these instances through an auditing process of voter registration lists. The people who are not citizens and participated in the state’s election process “self-reported” as non-citizens after voting or registering to vote, Pate said in a news release.

The recent collaboration between Virginia Gay Hospital and Allen College created an exciting opportunity for high school students from Center Point-Urbana, Vinton-Shellsburg, Belle Plaine, and Benton Community to explore careers in healthcare. Held on October 22, the event was part of the Health Careers Club initiative, designed to give students hands-on experiences in various healthcare fields.

The Vinton Public Library will be spending the week of October 20-26, 2024, celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the 19th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. The Friends of the Library will celebrate by having a table at the Vinton Parks & Recreation Department Spooktacular Day in downtown Vinton on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

The Iowa Department of Revenue announces the 2025 tax year individual income tax rate and the 2025 interest rate, which the agency charges for overdue payments.Individual Income Tax RateSince the enactment of Iowa Senate File 2442 in May, 2024, Iowa law provides for a flat tax rate of 3.8 percent for all levels of taxable individual income beginning with tax year 2025.

Young adults and teens are the source of all kinds of pop culture trends including memes that seem to take on a life of their own. One such meme that has crawled out of the fitness message boards of the early 2000s to today’s social media feeds features the phrase “Do you even lift, Bro?” The meme is a condescending implication that someone is weak.

Pictured to the left: Northeast District officers Alana Fleming and Andrew Pingenot pose with Freshman FFA members included Jonah Myer, Gavin Sanders, Cole Birker, Brock Hoppenjan, Aiden Trachta, Jameson Demuth, Nash Davis, Lily Hesson, Alex Hugh, Olivia Port, Abby McKenna, Maddie Bunten, Nora Grovert, Jenna Grovert, Zoey McClintock, and Katelyn Fleming.