John Wilt stood in his produce stand on Main Street in Brandon on the 4th of July, as he does most other days of the year. Right now, he mostly just has zucchini and some squash, but soon expects to be offering watermelon and other fresh produce items he grows in a garden near the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.

ByNancy Thorkildson A huge thank you to all those who supported the 6th Annual Shellsburg Area Community Group's Golf Tournament and Fund Raiser on June 24th.

Cole Overton receives a low five from Coach Struve as he completes his game-winning home run trot. Vikings celebrate at home as Cole Overton scores the final run.

The Great Plains Desperados will perform in Garrison Sunday afternoon, July 16th from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. They play a lively blend of popular, original and traditional music.

By: Shelby McDonald, Co-Reporter The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held their annual banquet on May 13, 2017. At 6:30 we started with dinner that was catered by the VSHS lunch staff as well as Merchants grilling.

(This article is part of Virginia Gay Hospital's bi-annual publication, "Thrive" Spring/Summer 2017 issue. Online version can be found athttps://myvgh.

Loras College has announced the names of students who achieved Dean's List status for the 2017 spring semester. A student must earn a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours to be recognized.

Spring 2017 graduates Dillon Gusta of Atkins, BBA-Accounting; BBA-Finance Morgan Kremer of Atkins, BA-Speech and Hearing Science Benjamin Markland of Atkins, BSE-Chemical Engineering Dana Schmuecker of Atkins, BBA-Accounting Justin Janssof Belle Plaine,DNP-Nursing Keith White of Norway, BSE-Biomedical Engineering Taylor Tovrea of Urbana, BA-Psychology Kristin Bramow of Vinton, MHA-Health Management and Policy Megan Horst of Vinton, JD-Law Ryan Jacobs of Vinton, MBA-Professional MBA Program with distinction Kassie Kilpatrick of Vinton, BA-Journalism and Mass Communication Addy Rickels of Vinton, PHR-Pharmacy with high distinction Audrey Tran Lam of Vinton, MPH-MPH Program Jason McVay of Walker, BA-Enterprise Leadership The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities, dedicated to academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries and creations, commitment to Iowa and the world, and a culture that prizes community, diversity, and opportunity.

Seven young ladies have entered the 2017 Fair Queen Contest for the Benton County Fair, which begins in less than two weeks, on July 12. One of them will be crowned Benton County Fair Queen on Thursday, July 13.

Communications Specialist Kyla Upah gathered these hailstorms outside the Benton County Sheriff's Office/Jail on Wednesday. A storm brought heavy rains and some hail as large as one inch in diameter to the Benton County area Wednesday evening.