News

Benton County area students from the Belle Plaine, Benton, and Vinton-Shellsburg High Schools participated in CADCA's National Youth Leadership Institute in Indianapolis from August 2nd-6th. Sponsored by the Benton County Above the Influence Coalition, seven students and three adults dedicated to making a positive change within their communities spent the week among other youth and advisors from across the country and the world learning how to construct and implement a Strategic Prevention Framework and action plan.

One of the downsides to not having a physical office where you can stop in and say, "Hello!" is that sometimes people aren't sure how to contact us.  If you are reading an article and it triggers a thought that you need to tell Dean something about that story or about something else that just came to mind, just comment on the story and we will see your note.

If you haven’t already taken the first Vinton Today survey concerning internet services in Vinton, please click here to add your opinions to the survey.  94% of Vinton Today readers who responded to our online survey believe high speed internet service is “essential” or “very important” for attracting new business to the community.

For the fourth year in a row, Angie Wittmer of rural Vinton has placed in the Iowa State Fair's concrete painting contest.  This year, the concrete statues were horses; Wittmer's design entitled "Neigh-ture," which included a variety of flowers and other images representing nature, earned second place in the amateur division.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Marching Band will attempt to continue its string of earning Division 1 ratings at competitions beginning in September.  But reaching that goal begins in August, with the two-week band camp. Last year, the band had success with its baseball theme. This year, says director Nick Waymire, the theme relates to masks, as the band is preparing music from "Zorro" and "Phantom of the Opera.

Sometimes someone will say, "I KNOW there's a story on your site about my aunt Bertha, but I can't find it!" It's simple! If you  look to the right of our page, toward the top, there is a yellow box there that simply says, "Search This Site" then there's a white box there.  Simply type in a word or phrase that you are looking for.

While the participants in the annual Vinton-Shellsburg United Special Olympics Benefit Ride share a love of the road and the time they spend riding with friends and family, it’s the Special Olympians that provide the biggest motivation. “My passion for helping with this fund-raising event came after volunteering at a state VSU Olympic event,” says Jessica Good, a regular participant in the annual ride, which will take place again Aug.

Among the items piled in the back of the flatbed truck at Benton City Park by noon on Saturday were things traditionally associated with cleaning, although they were removed as trash along the Cedar River bed. A package of baby wipes, stained and muddy on the outside, but with the contents inside still pristine white and fresh-smelling. A shovel.

I don't know about you, but if I can get something FREE, you have my attention! Today, like yesterday, we want to tell you about our FREE CLASSIFIED ads! Yes, they are FREE! Again, it's right at the top of the page, look to the right...where it says, FREE CLASSIFIEDS. Now WHY would anyone want to pay to tell everyone, "HEY! I'm having a garage sale!"? Or if you have an old junker in the yard taking up space, list it here! Need to rent our an apartment or house? Hey, list it here! Need someone to come and clean your house? Put an "ad" under the Help Wanted section.

Those who drive around the Benton County Courthouse, looking closely at the four faces of the restored clock, may have noticed something unique about the glass facing east.  That glass is a different color than the other three sides; it's more grey while the others are white.  During a recent Benton County Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Terry Hertle explained why.