News
T-shirts honoring Coach Johnson now available for order
The Alburnett Mat Pack came to the recent Vinton-Shellsburg Wrestling Club tournament wearing special shirts in honor of the late VS coach Steve Johnson.
Those shirts are now available for order in Vinton.
The ordering deadline is Dec. 5. Contac Laurie Ortner or Tharp's Design for more information.
Click HERE to see an order form.
Christmas season arrives in Vinton; Santa, veterans ride in parade
The holiday season began in Vinton on Thursday, as the traditional lighted patriotic Christmas parade, Lions chili supper fund-raiser for the Honor Flight organization, and the gathering of children around Santa at the courthouse all took place.
A new tradition is also under way -- the Art Store was open Thursday night downtown. There, many of the members of the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts displayed paintings and many other works of art. District receives $40k for track/turf project in one day; within $28k of goal
"We had a good day," says VS Activities Director Jim Struve on Thursday, describing the nearly $40,000 in donations from local individuals and businesses toward the track resurfacing and field turf projects on that day alone. That brings this week's total to $72,000, and the overall fund-raising campaign to $272,000.
"Now, we just need $28,000 more to complete the project," said Struve. Toy give-away set for Dec. 2
On December 2 from 8 am-5 pm there will be a toy giveaway for area children, at the Vinton Community Center, located at 409 A Ave. (Across from the Laundromat)
For more information, call Joanne Mayhew, 472 5761.
Vinton's Alco to close in early 2015; company continues bankruptcy proceedings
A month after the Alco discount store chain announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy re-organization, employees in Vinton have learned that the local store is among Alco centers the company plans to close in early 2015.
Employees received the news on Tuesday.
Manager Verdonn Lefevere said little other information is available now.
Tree Walk Needs Your Bids Today!
There is less than a week to go to place your bids for the Annual Tree Walk Silent auction at Virginia Gay Hospital. Bids are taken until Tuesday, November 25th, at 5pm sharp, when the winners are announced!
Visit the Virginia Gay Hospital lobby any time before November 25th (5pm) to place your bid! Beautifully adorned and brilliantly illuminated holiday decorations will greet you as you enter Virginia Gay Hospital. Wounded Warrior: Vinton native Mulder to join Hawkeyes at 2K Tourney in NYC
When the Iowa Hawkeyes play Texas in New York City on Thursday night, a Wounded Warrior from Vinton will be among soldiers honored at Madison Square Garden.
Josh Mulder of Vinton was an honorary captain during Iowa’s home victory Monday night over North Dakota State. He and his service dog, Traveler, were introduced to the crowd at half-time. Artists begin sharing work at BC Courthouse
Along with a growing membership and a downtown storefront that will be open during the holiday season, the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts has now seen its first work accepted for display at the Benton County Courthouse.
One of the Guild's youngest members, Vinton-Shellsburg High School junior Amanda Dedrick, presented the supervisors an acryllic painting of the courthouse during Tuesday's meeting. Benton School Board to close Van Horne elementary next year
The Benton Community School Board has made the difficult decision to close the elementary school in Van Horne beginning with the next school year. The board unanimously agreed to the changes during a meeting on Monday.
That closure is part of a restructuring designed to save the district $500,000 to $600,000 in FY 16.
See the district restructuring presentation HERE.
Berry's Lanes installing synthetic surfaces
Berry's Lanes has had a few lanes closed this week as workers from Gold Crown Bowling Services of Boston replace the original wooden lanes with synthetic panels. The new panels are designed to look better and require less maintenance -- and to help bowling scores by providing surfaces that are the same from lane to lane.
Wear from thousands of bowling balls has caused the wooden surfaces to have imperfections that vary from lane to lane.