News
Honoring Emma in blue
Vinton-Shellsburg students and staff at all buildings wore blue on Monday in memory of Emma Redlinger. Customers at Ehlinger's Vinton Express donated just under $1,500 to the family on Sunday, when the business offered free coffee, hot chocolate and donuts in exchange for donations.
On social media, many local residents changed their Facebook profile photos to something with blue to show their support. Community Day inspires NCCC FEMA Corps team to start hygiene drive
By: Tyler Overfelt
Early one Saturday morning, the members of FEMA Corps team Spruce 4 climbed out of their van in the suburbs of Chicago to help feed the hungry at Redeeming Grace Church’s weekly food pantry.
The church directs a weekly client’s choice food pantry, where those in need can choose what they need to feed their family for the next few days.
DTS: FEMA Corps Spruce 6 team works on Deployment Tracking System in DC
By: Bobby Cook & Jacqueline Bowen
AmeriCorps NCCC-FEMA Corps team, Spruce 6, returned to Washington, D.C. for its second round to continue its work with the Deployment Tracking System, commonly referred to as DTS here at FEMA Headquarters. Spruce 6 has been working with DTS since its preliminary stages and has been integral in implementing the new system.
NCCC- FEMA Corps team helps the American Red Cross in Portland, Maine
By: Kathren Gonzalez
On Saturday, February 9, AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA-Corps team Spruce 2 helped the American Red Cross of Maine launch their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign in Portland, Maine. The purpose of the event was to go door to door in a neighborhood and supply residents with free smoke alarms and installations. In addition to installations, the home visits also involved educating the residents on fire safety and helping create a fire escape plan for their home.
C.R. murder victim was Vinton native and school therapy dog handler
While Sherry (Higgins) Haferbecker's full-time job at Prairie Hill Elementary School was as head custodian, she was also well-known for how much she loved being part of the therapy dog program for the past few years. She was the handler for the black lab named Primos, one of several dogs that help students in a variety of ways.
Area residents are mourning the death of Haferbecker, 44, a Vinton native and a 1989 graduate of Washington High School, in Cedar Rapids last week. Voyagers Spring Show features dancers, alumni, youngsters, guys and Santa
Even though it took place on one of the coldest days of winter, the Voyagers Spring Show filled the VS Middle School gym with dancers and an audience including friends and relatives.
The VS dance team and coach Melanie Davis were leading a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Voyagers. Alumni members from recent years through the 1980s performed a routine. Gunshot victim Emma Redlinger dies at age 14
The prayer vigil that had been previously set for tomorrow evening for Emma Redlinger will now become a memorial vigil.
Emma, the daughter of Steve Redlinger and Aimee Redlinger, died Saturday afternoon, four days after an accidental shooting left her in a coma.
Aimee Redlinger shared this message with the community who has rallied around her family Saturday afternoon:
At 1:48pm my beautiful, intelligent, spunky girl lost her fight and is now with her little sister in God's Kingdom. Virginia Gay paramedic Wendy Frentress earns state ambulance service award
Virginia Gay Paramedic Wendy Frentress will attend the Stars of Life Conference in Washington D.C. in April, as a result of being awarded the Volunteer Individual of the Year award from the Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association (IEMSA). The Stars of Life Conference honors those who make outstanding contributions to ambulance service throughout the U. 'Amazing' outpouring of love continues; prayer Vigil for Emma set for Sunday
The Vinton community -- along with countless people across the country -- continues to rally around Emma Redlinger and her family, praying that she will recover from the brain injury caused by Tuesday's accidental shooting.
Donors contributed more than $10,000 in one day on a fund-raising page set up for the family.
Reminder: School in session Monday, March 2
This is just a reminder that school IS IN SESSION on Monday, March 2 due to a previous snow day.
We will also have school on both April 6 & 7 due to previous snow days as well.