News

When the Benton County Historical Preservation Commission meets at 1 p.m. today in the Vinton Library, the members will learn what it would cost to repair the four-faced clock atop the Benton County Courthouse. The clock has not worked for years, and some members of the Commission are interested in finding out how much it would cost to make it functional.

The Vinton Kiwanis Club is continuing its participation in The Dictionary Project, presenting dictionaries full of definitions and other important information to the third-grade students in the Vinton-Shellsburg School District. On Friday, Kiwanis member Lexa Speidel delivered the books to 3rd-graders in Mrs. Patterson's class. Lexa pointed out some information in the dictionaries, including telling students where to read the longest word in the English language, which takes nearly a full page at the back of the book.

Mike Riege's office -- matching the wardrobe of many employees at Virginia Gay Hospital, where the administrator has spent the last 24 years -- is decked in black today.  His staff at VGH helped him celebrate his latest milestone with a surprise party, where they lined the cafeteria to sing "Happy Birthday" before sharing pizza.

As she does every month, Vinton-Shellsburg Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock spent hours preparing information to present to the local policy-makers, explaining the newest school projects and their impact on the community. But this time, her presentation was not for the Vinton-Shellsburg School Board; instead, she spoke to the Vinton City Council.

Nearly a  year ago, just days after John Scriven's 58th and last birthday, the staff and students at Tilford Elementary, where John had been a janitor for years, held an assembly to honor him and present him a $10,000 check to help pay his medical expenses as he faced his final days of fighting cancer.  The "Where John Counts" campaign inspired the student body, and the community, and earned its leaders a special award from the Kirkwood AEA.

Members of Vinton Unlimited had a chance to learn a bit more about the history of the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School during a special After 5 event Friday, Jan. 10. The Mary Ingalls Society is a local group of volunteers who are trying to preserve the history of IBSSS, particularly as it involved the sister of the famous "Little House on the Prairie" author Laura Ingalls Wilder.

During half-time of the VS Vikettes varsity basketball game on Friday, members of two other VS sports teams were honored for their academic achievement Girls golf: Distinguished in Academic Achievement Award This award is given to teams achieving a combined grade point average of 3.25 and above. The 2012-13 girls golf eam members were:  Erin Randall, Natalie Ketchen, Cara Hach, Kacie Struve, Mara Jessen, Madison Elwick, Lauren Tandy, Kaitlin Kilpatrick, Alyssa Bunge, Olivia Walker, Sierra Goodell,  Pictured with their certificates are golf team members Lauren Tandy, Natalie Ketchen, Erin Randall, Kacie Struve, Sierra Goodell and Olivia Walker.

Due to inclement weather there will be a 2hr late start today Jan 14. No morning preschool. Drive safe on your way to school. 

The following is an annual report from the Post #166 Shellsburg American Legion. It includes a list of where the bikers/motorcyclists rode this year and their mission.  Mid- Winter Conference @ Des Moines [6] Riders--I,390 Miles--96 Hours Spring Conference @ Marshalltown [5] Riders--608 Miles--35 hours Department Convention @ Sioux City [4] Riders--2,312 Miles--86 Hours Fall Conference @ Vinton [5[ Riders--I70 Miles--32hours [2] D.

The quick response of the Vinton, Garrison and Urbana-Polk Township fire departments, along with a strong west wind, helped save the one garage/ office building at the Benton County Engineer/Secondary Roads facility from damage when flames engulfed the garage building just a few feet away Saturday morning. But the fire did claim two of the department's three newest snow plow trucks and other vehicles, as well as the garage that protected them.