News
Kettles raise $15K for Salvation Army to help empower people with needs
Pastor Bob Gaston was discussing the impact of the Salvation Army kettle campaign in Benton County, when evidence of that program’s impact walked into his office Friday morning.
Two men entered; one was Scott, who was among the 50 or so volunteer bell-ringers who helped raised more than $15,000 in November. Another was a homeless man named Ryan. Sun Dogs appear near Vinton
We have been hearing a lot about Sun Dogs appearing this week. One of our readers captured this phenomenon just east of Vinton and sent the photo in to share with our readers. (Thanks Mark!)
With snow dogs and snow-covered trees sparking under the nearly-full moon, it's beautiful outside -- if you can stand the dangerously bitter cold and wind chills. Vinton man among those sentenced in federal marijuana trafficking case
Four individuals, including a Vinton resident and another man who grew marijuana in his Breckenridge, Colorado, home and flew it to Eastern Iowa in his private airplane, were each sentenced this week for their roles in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy. They are the latest defendants to be sentenced as a result of an extensive DEA wiretap investigation.
IASB honors Sue Gates for making difference on VS School Board
The Iowa Association of School Boards recognizes that learning and leadership on the part of school board members makes a difference at the board table and for students.
At IASB’s 69th Annual Convention on Nov. 20, Grant Wood AEA board member and Vinton-Shellsburg school board member Sue Gates was honored for making that difference. Through IASB’s Better Boardsmanship Awards Program, Gates received an Award of Achievement certificate. Blue Creek Christmas inspires many with its high-tech lights and music
While Vinton residents and natives are very familiar with the light display begun by Larry Kersten 50 years ago just a few miles east of the Benton/Tama County line, another display with tens of thousands of lights is bringing thousands of visitors just east of the Benton/Linn County line.
For the past few years, Blue Creek Christmas has been growing in size, technology and audience. School will be held on Friday for V-S with NO early out
The district will have a regular school day on Friday, January 9 and will NOT have an early out for professional development.
C.R. attorney sentenced for fraud; had represented some Benton Co. clients
A former attorney who has represented some Benton County residents has sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for defrauding 14 clients.
Susan Hense, 54, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 20, 2014, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.
New contacts for reserving Benton County Historical Society properties announced
The Benton County Historical Society, (BCHS), announced today that anyone wishing to reserve the Ray House, Horridge House, or Vinton Depot should contact either Sharon Happel at 319-533-4524, sharonhappel@gmail.com, or Rosemary Schwartz, 319-504-9376, rschwartz53@msn.com. You can also email bentoncohistorical@gmail.com.
Bob Moen, BCHS board member, has been in charge of the Ray House reservations since the Ray House opened to the public.
Historic Upper Stone one-room school house still attracting attention
Although it was built 140 years ago, the historic Upper Stone one-room school house between Vinton and Shellsburg is still in good condition.
Owner Russ Glime says he hopes to see it become a local museum someday.
A blog about historic school houses recently featured Upper Stone. See that blog, with more detailed history from Glime, HERE. Wind chill advisory and 6-8 inches of snow in local forecast
The National Weather Service center in the Quad Cities has forecast a dreadfully cold and snowy Monday and Tuesday for the Vinton area.
“Artic air and bitter cold wind chills tonight followed by possible heavy late snow into Monday night” is what area residents should prepare to deal with, says the NWS.
The fast-moving storm may dump 6 to 8 inches of snow on the area between Monday night and Tuesday.