News

It’s uncommon these days for someone to work within a business or institution for more than a few years, and even more remarkable for a person rise within the ranks to one of the top positions. After 30 years Julia Meadows, Chief Financial Officer of Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics, is retiring. Initially hired in 1983 as a Posting Machine Operator, she was quickly promoted to Data Entry Clerk a year later, and during her 30 year career she has held the following positions: Data Process Manager, Patient Accounting Coordinator, and in 1992 began her position as the Chief Financial Officer.

The filing deadline for candidates for the Nov. 4 election was yesterday. The Benton County ballots for federal, state, county and township offices will include the following names. Benton County Candidate Listing General Election November 4, 2014   County Filing Deadline August 27, 2014   Federal Offices US Senator Bruce Braley-Dem Joni Ernst-Rep   Bob Quast-Bob Quast for Term Limits   Rick Stewart-Ind   Douglas Butzier-Lib   Ruth Smith   US Representative Dis.

The Iowa State Patrol and the Benton County Sheriff's Department continue to investigate a motorcycle accident that claimed the life of 63-year-old Charles Bonikowske of Ogdensburg, Wis. at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. According to the ISP, the cycle was westbound on Highway 30 near 18th Avenue south of Keystone when the driver lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle.

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II, and Central Region met at 8:30 am June 25, 2014 at the Benton County Fair office with Kelly Kaut as hostess.  She treated us to a wonderful brunch before the meeting, program and workshop. President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 9:15 am.  Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the conservation pledge.

Vinton's Virginia Gay Hospital became the third local health care organization to have employees participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge for the ALS Society on Tuesday afternoon. Accepting the challenge from the Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living staff, 45 VGH employees from several departments formed a half-circle around the fountain in front of the main entrance.

The Vinton Shellsburg United Special Olympics team held its 5th annual Benefit Ride on August 16th.  Nearly 115 riders took part in the event that covered 120 miles of Benton County countryside. The ride started in Vinton at the Ron Da Voo with stops in Traer, Keystone, Walford, Shellsburg, Urbana, and finished with two stops back in Vinton at Mickey’s Bar and the final stop at the American Legion Hall.

The staff of the Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living Center, with help from residents, accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge from the Windsor Manor staff. Just before having the residents dump cold water on them, the Lutheran Home employees, through Jessica Rippel, issued the challenge to the Virginia Gay Hospitals, clinics and Home Health employees.

Louise Fleming, Vocational Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor along with John Holst, Chairman of the Ag Advisory Committee accept a $5,000 check from Jon Kremer, Market President for US Bank. The grant proceeds will be used for equipment and supplies for the new Animal Learning Lab at the Vinton Shellsburg High School. Contractors will be finishing the building this next week.

Vinton Parks and Recreation Director Duane Randall will retire at the end of 2014.  Randall informed VPRD Board members of his decision to leave after Dec. 31 earlier this year, and his decision was announced during Party in the Park events on Sunday.  Randall has served for 29 years; his tenure saw the building of the new pool, the addition of several parks, and recovery from the 2008 flooding and the 2011 wind storm.

Despite the humidity and a heat advisory, many Vinton-area residents filled Riverside Park for the second round of Party in the Park. The concert and fireworks show that had been planned for the last Saturday in June were reschedule because of thunderstorms.  The Chicago Spazmatics entertained the crowd with its variety of 1980s rock music favorites.