News

America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation supports local organization Benton Community School FFA has received a $2,500 donation from local farmer Darwin Meyer and America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The donation will help the organization purchase pedal tractors and sleds, so they can host a pedal tractor pull at the Benton County Fair.

Approximately 500 people spent Tuesday evening laughing with and at their friends and neighbors who tried their skill and luck (mostly luck) at donkey basketball. The fund-raiser for the GOVS Scholarship Fund included three games of 8-on-8 basketball; two teams of four players riding four donkeys. The main rules required players to be mounted on their rides while passing or shooting the ball.

On March 8, 2015 the North Eden Willing Workers 4-H Club had six members participate in a sewing workshop led by Megan Ternus.  Megan showed the girls how to sew pillow case dresses which will be sent to orphanages in Haiti.  The girls who participated were, left to right: Sydney Walton, Zena Aragon, Lydia Radeke, Ashley Meyer, Anna Becker.

It's been a few days since we updated our list of people who have so kindly donated to this endeavor.   We are again so appreciative of those that have taken the time to donate to this cause. Thank YOU for stepping up to keep this resource available to the community and beyond.   Vicki Milroy Mike and Eileen Timmermans Terry Buelow Don and Gwen Eells Thomas and Eunice Pingenot Ken and Regina Huelman Florence Rippel Gretchen Kopecky Gerald & Eileen Kreutner Monica and Dean McKenna Walter and Martha Bruce David and Sue Gates Frank VanSteenhuse - Van Steenhuyse Services Rich and Mary Jo Hainstock Carolyn Hibbs Mert and Claudette Alpers Connie Martinez Ann and Bob Harrison Ralph and Marge Wessling Betty Lou and Bob Carlson Bob and Jane LaGrange Mark and Pam Boddicker Dean and Cathy Luze Char Fye Marlyn and Luana White Randy Stein Cheryl Kelley Ada Urice Gary and Mardene Schulke Teresa and George Vopelak Russel and Barbara Glime Esther Hite Ken and Dorothy Dake Nancy and Robert Thorkildson John Barnes Gene Barnes Ted and Jeanne Mann Sanders & Sons Farm Bonnie and Dwight Sanders Donita and John Casey Rose and Gilbert Hansen Don and Peggy Weideman Carolyn Appleby Lyle, Shirley Miller, Deanna Burroughs Bruce and Joyce Erickson Dave or Kristie Davis Kathy Close Janet Kearns Dale Schmidt Tom Boeckmann Matt & Heather Kingsbury Judy Trygstad Brad Straw Connie Millard Tom Torpey LaVera Wood Mary Hanson James Adams William Faust Dean Beckman John Fowler Terry Hertle Kathy Olson Jay Lash Tressa Walton Shirlee Jessop Judy Hall Pamela Primmer Anna Wilson Cindy Pattee Matthew Purdy Ed Callan Carol A.

The Heartland Division of the Salvation Army honored the Vinton chapter and donors in its recent newsletter.  The Benton County Salvation Army, with Pastor Bob Gaston as the director, raised more than $16,800 in donations in December via the Red Kettle fund-raising effort. The organization plans to conduct the fund drive again in December of 2015.

Twenty-five years ago the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as “National Medal of Honor Day,” a day dedicated to Medal of Honor Recipients. In recognition of this day, please allow me to share with you the story of one Medal of Honor recipient, Calvin P. Titus. Calvin Pearl Titus was born September 18, 1879, the son of Calvin and Cora (Smith) Titus, in Vinton, Iowa.

The V-S Cross Country team is working the concession stand all week at the Palace Theater. Come see McFarland, an inspiring movie about a cross country team. A bunch of awesome kids will be there all week to greet and serve you. Go Vikes!!

Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School students were honored at an end of the trimester assembly for making the Honor roll.  Students must maintain a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA average to be on the “A” honor roll and 3.0 to 3.49 to be on the “B” honor roll.  Students in bold maintained a 4.0 GPA.  The following students achieved the “A” honor roll: 8th Grade:  Oliva Coder, Grace Horst, Sadie Mauer, Katelyn Noren, Brock Ortner, Weston Powers, Sarah Schminke, and Hailey Smith.

Wells Fargo is offering up to $5,000 for original information leading to identification, arrest and conviction of the individual who robbed the Wells Fargo banking store located at 114 Pearl St. SW in Shellsburg. The suspect is described as a white male, 20-30 years old, small build, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 125-150 lbs. with short brown hair.

Investigators from the Iowa State Patrol have determined that alcohol was a factor in the March 13 accident that claimed the life of Christine Ballard.    A charge of Vehicular Homicide While Driving Under the Influence was filed March 20, in Benton County District Court against the driver of that pick-up truck, Mark Himmelsbach, 23, of Norway.