News
FFA Labor Auction raises more than $11,800
About 40 Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members took their turn on the auction block, continuing the tradition that began decades ago. Duane Johnson again called the auction, as he has done for the past 35 or more years. The event raised more than $11,800 for chapter trips, activities and contests.
The members will each work 8 hours for the person or business which "bought" them; many will help at community events in which those organizations participate. Five area residents age 12-20 die in pickup-semi collision near Urbana
Five Benton County residents between ages 12 and 20 died when the pick-up truck they were riding in was hit by a semi on Thursday afternoon west of Urbana on Highway 150.
The Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims as Quentin Ray Ary, 19, of Vinton; Triston James-Ray Randall, 17, of Urbana; Nicole Renee Jacobson, 20, of Vinton; Hunter William Tuttle, 14; and Zoey Lynnae Tuttle, 12. Donations make Clickstop Cares program a quick success
When Urbana-based Clickstop announced its plans to develop Clickstop Cares to help area families in need, the donations began to pour in. In just three months, the company’s previous office space on Bing Miller Lane has filled with clothing and housewares donated by employees, area residents, and even businesses.
One of those businesses, Uptown Tots of Cedar Falls, has played a big part in helping to fill the racks of children’s clothing.
34/34 years: Mrs. Barron's colleagues help her begin retirement celebration
There was a lot of laughter, accompanied by a few tears, and about 10 of the famous jumpers that Rhonda Barron has made to wear in her first grade class at Tilford on Thursday morning as Mrs. Barron's teaching colleagues began the countdown to her retirement.
There are 34 days left in the school year; Mrs. Barron has taught for 34 years, 31 of them for Vinton-Shellsburg. Tri-Body Challenge raises $2600 for Operation Backpack
More than 60 people joined Julie Lessig in the Total Balance Tri-Body Challenge over the first three months of 2015. Participants did plank crunch and core exercises for one month each while donating to the program which provides food for families of VS students.
Participants celebrated the end of the successful campaign on Wednesday, as they gathered at Total Balance to present the funds to Operation Backpack organizers Riley Ries and Kylie Miracle. AmeriCorps members helping improve Nature Trail, county parks
Vinton Mayor John Watson visited the Oak 5 AmeriCorps NCCC team on Tuesday, as they worked on clearing invasive species from the tree lines at Rodgers Park. The team will also widen the Old Creamery Nature Trail and has been conducting controlled burns on some park areas.
Team members also helped at the Easter Egg Hunt at Rodgers Park on Saturday; one of the guys even put on the costume and played The Easter Bunny. Police investigate accident at VSHS entrance
Vinton police and fire and North Benton Ambulance personnel responded to a minor two-vehicle accident at the west entrance to the Vinton-Shellsburg High School parking lot on Tuesday morning. A student was attempting to enter the parking lot and her vehicle collided with one leaving the parking lot.
The teen driver was taken by ambulance to the hospital for observation but did not seem to be seriously injured, said Principal Matt Kingsbury. VFD receives donation from Cruise Committee
The Vinton Cruise Committee donated $1,000 to the Vinton Fire Department; the money went toward funding the purchase of the Stihl MS 461 rescue saw pictured here.
There were 628 people who attended the fish fry. The money from the fish fry will be used to purchase equipment for the new truck. Easter Egg Hunts offer candy, fun, prizes for many local residents
Hundreds of Vinton residents spent Saturday morning at two local parks, enjoying the annual tradition of Easter Egg hunts.
First, the decades-old tradition of gathering at Riverside Park for the Vinton Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt began at 10 a.m. Children lined up and then scurried to find as many eggs as possible.
The action moved to Rodgers Park at 11 where more events for children and even a contest for adults took place. State Fair announces mural contest for Iowa artists
The 2015 Iowa State Fair, set August 13-23, will feature a custom mural designed and painted by a local artist. Individuals are invited to submit their own designs for the 12x16-ft. mural, which will be completed throughout the Fair in the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center.
To enter, submit an entry form along with a detailed rendering of your proposed design.