News
Affordable Care Act means some changes for school, city, county
When the Affordable Care Act goes into effect Jan. 1, individuals and employers -- including government bodies with employees in a health care plan -- will see some changes.
Locally, those changes are expected to be minor.
Vinton-Shellsburg Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock describes the law's impact on the school district:
"We already provide a stipend/coverage for everyone who works 30 hours or more," she said.
What's happening this Christmas Season?
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Celebration Park Christmas
The first Christmas has come to celebration park, and a small tree inside the gazebo, which is covered with white lights, helps celebrate the season.
Fog now, cold later
The weather is dull and grey but at least for today is warmer (around 40 degrees) than most recent days
That is expected to change soon; by Sunday evening, the time of the annual Tour de Lights race. Lows by Friday are predicted below zero; the forecasters say it will be slightly less cold on Sunday, with a race-time temperature around 10 degrees. VSMS choirs sing about Christmas, Flanders Field
The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School seventh and eighth grade choirs performed their winter concert on Monday evening. The seventh graders began with a variety of Christmas songs. The 7-8th boys ensemble sang "We Shall Not Sleep," a tribute to those soldiers buried in the famous Flanders Field cemetery. The 8th grade boys sang "Soldier's Alleluia. VSMS winter band concert features variety of music
The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School band members, including the 7-8th grade jazz band, performed a variety of songs during its concert last week.
"I thought the concert went well. The kids played better than any rehearsal we had. We are already looking forward to our next concert," said band director Jodi Bierschenk.
One student who made a special effort was tuba player Clint Hill, who played his large horn despite a shoulder injury. V-S December Newsletter
Starting with the VS Middle School 7th and 8th grade winter vocal concert tonight, there are several activities planned until Christmas for Vinton-Shellsburg students.
Click HERE to see the December newsletter and calendar.
Christmas giving begins with 'Stuff the Bus' and Angel Tree
LaNette Parker began Monday morning on the radio, where she spoke with Randy Lee of WMT about the Angel Tree program and the annual effort to collect gifts for the less fortunate children of the area.
The WMT 'Stuff the Bus' promotion made its annual trek to Vinton, where Lee met with Parker and manager Bethany Clemenson at Windsor Manor. Memorial Saturday honors VSMS library associate Jeannine Slezak
For years, Jeannine Slezak has been known as the library associate who decorates the VSMS Media Center for Christmas (as well as other seasons throughout the year).
But now, the school is facing its first Christmas without her.
Jeanine Slezak died Monday, Nov. 25, after a short illness.
The media center is "where Jeannine spent so much of her life doing her favorite things," said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock. Benton County Conservation 2013 project update
The year the Benton County Conservation Department has been busy working on the following items:
- Fixing our extensive FEMA damage from the spring of 2013.
- Construction of a new conservation shop at Rodgers Park and removal of the old moldy ranger residence and garage that was damaged in the 2011 FEMA incident.