News
Become a Soil Conservation Commissioner
If you are qualified to vote in a general election and reside in Benton County, you are eligible to be a candidate for election to the board of the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Commissioners may come from all walks of life. All you need is an interest in protecting our natural resources.Benton SWCD has three terms ending in December 2024, and by the August deadline, only one candidate submitted nomination petitions to be placed on the November 5 general election ballot.
Promoting Farm Safety: A Successful Ag Safety Day
By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerOn Saturday, September 21st, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA, Benton Community FFA, and CPU FFA chapters joined forces at the Benton County Fairgrounds for Ag Safety Day! Local children learned critical safety skills for navigating farm life, including fire safety, water safety, and emergency response. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering topics like using fire extinguishers, understanding flotation devices, skid loader and semi safety, bike safety, and first aid basics with local EMTs. October Veteran of the Month for Boyer Post 166
The Ray and Virginia Boyer Post 166 of Shellburg is proud to announce Dan Harris as its veteran of the month for October 2024. Dan was born in 1943 in the Chicago area. After graduating from Chicago Vocational High School in 1960 Dan joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Damage Controlman aboard the USS Randolph CVS 15 and the USS Constellation CVA 64. Residents paint Back Alley Mural in downtown Vinton
On the evening of Saturday, September 28, a group of local residents came together for a creative community event, painting a mural on the wall of City Hall in the alleyway. The event kicked off at 4:00 p.m. with volunteers of all ages picking up brushes and getting to work, transforming the alley into a vibrant public art space.Supplies were provided for everyone to participate in the mural’s creation, and alongside the main artwork, a special "Under the Sea" children’s mural was painted by the younger artists in attendance. Eastern Iowa Honor Flight announces 53rd flight to Washington DC
Flight to include nearly 90 veterans from throughout Eastern IowaOn Tuesday, October 8, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch Flight #53. Since the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight began operations in 2009, 52 flights have transported nearly 5,000 veterans, along with their guardians to Washington, DC. The trip entails visits to the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath dedication.
Community Comes Together to Help Local Man Prepare for Winter
With winter on the horizon, friends and family of Marc Merchant, a long-time resident of Vinton, gathered on Sunday to lend a helping hand. Marc, who has spent 28.5 years working for Benton County’s Secondary Roads Department, is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer. Though he’s usually the first to offer help to others, this time it was Marc’s turn to receive support from those close to him. Ag Safety Day Brings Farm Safety Lessons to Union Community School Students
On Thursday, September 26, students from Union Community School District got a hands-on lesson in farm safety during the third annual Ag Safety Day, hosted at the Youngblut Ag Shop in partnership with the Tama County ISU Extension Office. The event will ran from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and aimed to teach children crucial farm safety skills through interactive, engaging activities. Secretary of State encourages Iowans to make a plan to vote, track their ballots
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding every Iowa voter to have a plan in place to be successful in casting their ballot this election. Whether you plan to vote absentee by mail, early absentee in-person, or in person at the polls on Election Day, it’s never too early to make a plan.Those who plan to vote absentee by mail should be prepared to request their absentee ballot by October 21, 2024.