News
Red kettles return: Salvation Army accepting donations at Vinton area businesses
A familiar Christmas sight and sound has returned to Vinton.
The bell ringers and red kettles of the Salvation Army have been put in place to help raise funds for the organization.
Rev. Bob Gaston of Harvest Christian Fellowship has long been involved in the Salvation Army in Bremer County. He hopes to see the organization renew its outreach in Benton County. It's beginning to look ... well you know
Although some people protested that it is too early to put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, several area residents have done so.
Even the City of Vinton got involved, with crews placing the wreaths on lamp posts a couple days before Thanksgiving.
The VU lighting effort continues. See that story HERE.
Vinton Lions Club chili dinner raises $2,125 for Honor Flight program
The Vinton Lions Club served 259 patrons before and after this year’s Lighted Veterans Holiday Parade on Thursday, Nov. 21. That number is about 50 more than last year, in spite of the damp, cold weather for this year's event.
Club President Alan Woodhouse said the donations from the chili supper allow the club to give the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight organization a total of $2125. VSMS names Honor Roll, STAR students
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School students were honored at an end of the year assembly for achieving the Honor roll. Students must maintain a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA average to be on the “A” honor roll and 3.0 to 3.49 to be on the “B” honor roll.
The following students achieved the “A” honor roll:
8th Grade: Matthew Andreesen, Natalie Boyer, Baylee Bruce, Meredith Glynn, Hannah Kalous, Jenna Lane, Jackson Meyer, Madeline Moen, Coleson Phelps, Sophie Storey, Cole Tharp and Rhianna Turner earned 4. One number from millions: Norway's Don Volz wins $10,000 in Powerball
DES MOINES– A Benton County man said he knew he had won a big lottery prize after reading the Powerball numbers in a local newspaper.
“This morning when I was looking at the numbers in the paper and looking at my ticket and every number was coming up and I thought, ‘Oh boy! We’re on a roll here,’” Don Volz of Norway said.
VU announces holiday lighting contest
By Melody Snow (on behalf of Vinton Unlimited)
Vinton Unlimited is ushering back “The City of Lights”! Although Vinton may technically still have a sign that reads “The City of Lights”, it seems to have grown dim around these parts the last several years. Well, Vinton Unlimited, along with others, want to see that moniker rekindled.
Holiday shopping season begins with Open House event in Vinton
A flash mob, live music, treats, and special discounts and free samples were part of the Christmas Open House in Vinton on Sunday.
The annual event, celebrated in several stores downtown as well as in other areas of Vinton, brought hundreds of shoppers for the traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Many stores begin expanded and Sunday hours that will continue until Christmas. Pride and patriotism as Vikettes honor veterans
Several veterans and their families joined the Vinton-Shellsburg High School girls basketball teams in their Hall of Pride event on Saturday at VSHS.
The Vikettes hosted the Dunkerton Raiders in basketball scrimmages during an evening that included several fund-raising events. A dinner was served before the game, and a Harlem Globetrotter basketball was sold via silent auction. Readers share memories of Nov. 22, 1963
Fifty years ago today -- Friday, Nov. 22, 1963 -- Vinton residents were among those who received the shocking, horrifying news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The following Monday, approximately 350 people attended a memorial service at Wesley United Methodist Church, where Rev. Phillips led those attending in praying for the country and trying to make sense out of the dizzying events of the preceding three days.
Vinton businesses begin shopping season with Christmas Open House Sunday
On Sunday, November 24th, Vinton merchants will host the annual Vinton Open House! This event kicks off the season in Vinton and it’s a great time to find fantastic deals and have a lot of family fun. Once again, we will be joined by Auld’s Lluminous Llama’s from Van Horne. They have been a part of our Open House for a number of years now and families always enjoy the opportunity to pet the llamas and look at the unique products made from their incredibly soft fur.