News

The goal has been reached!  6 weeks ago the V-S Fine Arts Century Club issued a challenge to the community to raise $18,214.00 for the purchase of new choir robes for the Vinton-Shellsburg High School choirs.  It had been 30 years or more since the last purchase.   An order for 120 new robes, stoles, hangers, and garment bags will be placed this week.

The Vinton-Shellsburg New Century Fine Arts  Club is making progress toward its $18,000 goal for the purchase of new choir robes for Vinton-Shellsburg High School. This week, the choir members raised $1,300 by selling tickets for the Vinton Kiwanis pancake breakfast; the club donated $4 for each ticket sold by VSHS students.  On Thursday, during the Vinton Unlimited After 5 event, McDonald's owner Scott Soifer presented a check for $1,000 to Club members.

Amanda Burkey worked with her recruiter, talking to fellow VSHS students about career opportunities in the U.S. Navy. Burkey is one of the VSHS seniors who has already made up her mind about her first step after high school: Boot Camp. But for many others, this is a time for exploring a variety of options and asking many questions. Thursday's event at VSHS was one opportunity for them to learn more about those options and ask questions More than 30 area businesses, colleges and military recruiters set up tables in the VSHS gym on Thursday for the annual Career Fair.

Soon benches built by Ben Eden will join picnic tables his brother, John, made on the grounds  of the Izaak Walton chapter north of Vinton. Like John, Ben is building items for the Red Cedar Chapter of the Izaak Walton League for his Eagle Scout project. On a recent Saturday, he finished the benches with the help of Scouts Clint Hill, Colton Evans and Isaac Vrba, Scout leaders Dan Hill and Jay lash and his parents, Dennis and Tina Eden.

Benton County Sheriff Randall Forsyth reports that deputies answered 237 calls for service and investigated 17 accidents.  Deputies attempted to serve 140 civil papers and issued 19 traffic citations and 19 traffic warnings. There were 20 arrests/juvenile referrals with 25 charges being filed in February 2016.  (4) were felony charges, (11) were simple misdemeanors, and (10) were indictable misdemeanors.

With prom season fast approaching, Urbana-based Clickstop Cares is hoping to help local students who may not be able to attend their prom due to the high cost of formal wear. The organization is currently collecting prom dresses, as well as suits, shoes, accessories, etc. at their Bing Miller Drive location. Anyone with items to donate is encouraged to contact Clickstop Cares at 1-888-794-1413 or email cares@clickstopcares.

Benton-Iowa Decat, Clickstop Cares and the Starfish Women’s Group will be recognizing students who have beaten the odds to succeed by graduating from high school while living in foster care, living on their own or who are homeless, and who may not otherwise be able to celebrate their accomplishments. It is anticipated that the group will help 15 graduates this year in both Benton and Iowa County.

This is a reminder that grant applications can now be submitted to the Benton County Community Foundation for its 2016 grant cycle. The deadline to submit applications is midnight (CST) March 15, 2016. Grants are awarded to projects in the following areas: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA is celebrating a First Place ranking among the 227 FFA chapters in Iowa. "We received 1st place in the National Chapter rating at the state level," says FFA Co-Advisor Melissa Heeren. "It's pretty awesome.  The National Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters that successfully complete an annual Program of Activities (PoA), which includes a series of activities designed to encourage its members to grow as individuals, to work as part of a team and to serve others.

The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts will hold a Field Trip for Guild members on Saturday, March 19th. The members will be heading to Marion, where they will enjoy lunch, art, and shopping. They plan to meet at the High School parking lot at 10:30 a.m. and carpool, then head home around 4 p.m. All members are invited to join the group for a day of fun and inspiration.