News

Senator Rand Paul, one of the first Republicans to announce his candidacy for president, will be in Vinton on Saturday, April 25th. Senator Paul will be at the American Legion located at 105 N R Ave, Vinton, IA, at 11:30 a.m.  Please join us in welcoming Senator Paul to Benton County!

Jenny Schulz, executive director and founder of Kids First Law Center in Cedar Rapids was the guest of Randy Stein and the program speaker at the April 22nd Vinton Lion’s Club meeting.  Jenny founded Kids First Law Center in 2005.  The Center provides services to children of couples involved in highly contentious divorce proceedings.

The Cooling Dancers of the Vinton area competed April 18-19 at the Midwest Starz Dance Competition in the Five Sullivan Bros. Center in Waterloo. Routines were grouped by style of dance and age of dancers.  Judges included Porche “Queen P” Anthony of MTV’s “Best Dance Crew,” Adam Crain, currently a performer at Six Flags St.

Vinton-Shellsburg Retirees and Award Winners will be honored at a public reception Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Vinton-Shellsburg Administration Office. 2015 Retirees Rick Vettraino Gary Kersten Pam Primmer Larry Harken Rhonda Barron John Frazier Jim Harris 2015 Award Winners Teacher of the Year – John Frazier Friends of Education – Operation Backpack  and Tilford Foodservice Staff:  Dea Burroughs, Karen Ackman, Becky Dighton, Barb Anderson, LaurieW erning, Connie Morrison, Heather Bridge, Lottie Evans, Patty North and Sasha Mohr.

For the first time since 1947, the Vinton Women’s Club will gather in the spring and not name a Woman of the Year. Due to shrinking membership, the club will disband after Wednesday’s spring banquet. All women are invited to the 6 p.m. event at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Club was unique from the beginning, says Kathie Ervin.

They loved racing, the three younger members of the “Urbana 5.” Even as youngsters, their enthusiasm earned them a spot on the pit crews of local dirt track competitors. For years, photographs have documented that love of the local sport that fills grandstands throughout Iowa several nights each week. There’s Triston Randall, standing in front of a race car, wearing a shirt that says, “I’m with her” and an arrow pointing to his right.

The Freedom Rock that arrived at its new home next to the Shellsburg American Legion Hall inspires special memories because of where it has been, and what it will represent. “It’s personal, it’s special,” said Shellsburg American Legion Rider Dan Harris. “It will honor all of the veterans of Benton County,” said Dan’s wife, Ramona.

Those who gathered at Phillips Funeral Home chapel to honor Nicole Jacobson on Tuesday remember her as a sweet, soft-spoken science lover who didn’t use bad words, a friend who could change the outlook of those around her without saying a word. “I loved seeing her smile because it always made me want to smile,” said Regzhena Rothberg, who grew up as a neighbor to Nikki but called her “one of the best little sisters.

A silent purse auction has begun at the Virginia Gay Hospital Clinic in Vinton. The auction, however, offers more than purses. Backpacks, book bags, beach bags and even something for the chef in the family is available for the bid. Bidding continues through April 29 at the clinic at 504 North 9th Avenue. Anyone is invited to come browse and bid during regular business hours.

A Vinton girl has quite literally earned her “fifteen seconds of fame,” thanks to a popular Sunday night TV show. Aly Becker made her parents laugh when she enthusiastically described how she wanted to fly, in an airplane, so she could see God. “She has always talked about flying (like Tinkerbell),” says her mom, Ranae.