News

 All Charges are subject to review by the Benton County Attorney’s Office. An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the Defendant is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty. Intrastate Warrants are issued by Law Enforcement Agencies for crimes happening in their jurisdictions. Two Adult Arrests the week of July 8-14, 2024 July 10​Anna Dee Burgess, 32, Vinton, IA​​​Intrastate Warrant-Theft 2nd Degree-Shoplifting July 13​​​Jared Joseph Evans, 29, Cedar Rapids, IA​​​Driving While Barred One Juvenile Referral for the week of June 8-14, 2024 Zero Code Enforcement Violations for the week of July 8-14, 2024 Five Traffic Citations for Offenses were issued the week of July 8-14, 2024  Seven Traffic Warnings for Offenses were issued the week of July 8-14, 2024 One Reported Motor Vehicle Accident for the week of July 8-14, 2024 For the Week of July 8-14, 2024– 78 complaints/calls for service were handled by the Vinton Police Department.

The Van Horne Lions Club presented a check on behalf of the club to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. The $500 donation will be used to fly Veterans to the nation's capital, Washington D.C. Thank you to the Lions Club for your support! Pictured are chapter President Lou Albers and Treasurer Theresa Thompson. Roger Uthoff accepts the donation on behalf of Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

During Wednesday morning's Storytime for children at the Vinton Public Library, Justin Hughes, the middle school band director, brought a variety of instruments to the library. He introduced just a few types of instruments and explained a bit about each category. The brass, woodwind and percussion instruments all captured the interest of the more than 30 children present.

Benton County, Iowa – Benton County Extension and Outreach’s 4-H Summer Science Discovery camp brought natural resources and environmental education to 126 kindergarten through fifth grade students this summer. Community program sites include Vinton, Atkins, Urbana, Keystone, Van Horne, Belle Plaine, and Blairstown.Summer 4-H learning experiences, like Summer Science Discovery Camp, help reduce summer learning loss for youth.

Many of you are familiar with the Farmers Mercantile Hall in Garrison. The location provides hours of entertainment for those who love to spend an afternoon enjoying various types of music organized at the venue. It is also a great location if you need to throw a family potluck and just don't have a space large enough at the house.A plan has been developed to renovate the sidewalks at the Farmers Mercantile Hall in Garrison.

Roadwork on Highway 218 north of Vinton is now complete!

The Benton County Board of Supervisors called their regular Tuesday meeting to order. Present were Rick Primmer, Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenk.Most discussion was held at the end of the meeting concerning a fifth week of vacation for long-term employees. Melinda Schoettmer, Benton County Treasurer presented her Semi Annual Report for approval. Discussion and hiring approval was given for the department for Jake Winsor to fill the opening in the Treasurer's Department.

The United Way of Iowa recently released its “United Way ALICE” report for Iowa.  In 2021 the report documents 10,075 households in Benton County.  Of these, 29% are unable to meet a basic needs budget. In Iowa, 381,266 households – 31 percent of the state’s total – are unable to afford the state’s cost of living, according to the United Way June 29, 2024 ALICE Report for Iowa.

Traffic has resumed on Highway 150 just east of Prairie Creek Church. The new bridge construction has been completed and there is no longer a detour on the road.