News
Benton County Sheriff's Report, September
Benton County Sheriff Randall Forsyth reports that deputies answered 312 calls for service and investigated 15 accidents. Deputies attempted to serve 144 civil papers and issued 84 traffic citations and 118 traffic warnings.
There were 43 arrests/juvenile referrals with 48 charges being filed in September 2013. (31) were simple misdemeanors, (10) were indictable misdemeanors, and (7) were felony charges.
Fire Prevention Week: Firefighters begin school visits
Vinton-Shellsburg elementary students and even pre-schoolers are learning basic fire safety this week.
The Vinton Fire Department is working with local schools to teach children about smoke alarms, "stop, drop and roll," exit plans, calling 911 and how to react if there is a fire in their home.
Visits began on Tuesday morning, as firefighters visited preschool classrooms. Benton Community bus involved in accident; minor injuries reported
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two vehicle collision which happened at the intersection of 21st Ave and 71st St one mile south of Van Horne at 8:30 a.m.
Betty Nolan, age 81, from rural Van Horne, was driving a 2010 Ford Edge westbound on 71st St and had stopped at the stop sign at 21st Ave. Nolan waited for a northbound car to go through the intersection then pulled out onto 21st Ave into the path of a southbound school bus.
Author discusses 'Skull in the Ashes' at Vinton library
More than 40 area residents gathered in the Vinton library on Thursday to hear more about one of Benton County’s most famous crime cases.
Author Peter Kaufman discussed his book, “Skull in the Ashes,” which tells of how Walford businessman Frank Novak committed a murder, then tried to make it look like he himself had died in the fire so his wife could collect $27,000 in insurance money. Pavilion, path take shape at Celebration Park
Work continues at Celebration Park, where construction crews are finishing the pavilion and concrete crews are creating and paving the walking path. as well as parking areas.
Winnie Hawks visit Vinton area
Thanks to the work of local leaders including Nancy Beckman, Vinton was able to welcome another tour group recently.
The Winnie Hawks, a club of Winnebago RV owners from throughout Iowa, made their fall tour recently, stopping at several area sites. They visited the Depot, where Phl Borlesky gave them a tour and a brief history of the local railroad service. Pink Night: Vikings, fans raise $461 to fight breast cancer, honor survivors
Continuing a tradition that started with the Vikettes basketball team a few years ago, the Vinton-Shellsburg football team held its Pink Night on the first Friday of Breast Cancer Month.
Approximately 160 V-S students and fans purchased pink t-shirts, with the proceeds going toward the Virginia Gay Hospital mammography service. Several breast cancer survivors received recognition before the game, and a few joined the Viking captains for the coin toss. More than 30 sign up for first VSHS bowling team; volunteer coach still needed
The Vinton High School Bowling team is kicking off their fundraising with cool bowling t-shirts for everyone. We have bowling shirt order forms available at Tharp Design, V-S High School and Berry's Lanes.
Being a recognized sport and not a school sponsored sport, the team needs to fund raise to cover all of their expenses.
Honoring 'Chief': VFD sculpture honors former Chief Dave Hite, others
Most of the members of the Vinton Fire Department gathered at the fire station on Wednesday night to honor former Chief Dave Hite.
The new chainsaw carving, entitled Chief, has been on display outside the fire station since the end of the Iowa Firefighter's Association Convention. A plaque on the sculpture includes a quote firefighters remember Dave telling them in 1980s when he was Chief: "Drive slow and dress warm. Local Motocross racer Austin Kemp is points champ in two events
Austin Kemp listened last year as his dad, Corey, discussed the hobby of go-cart racing.
But as he thought about sitting in a small car, with all four tires hugging the track and both feet securely inside the vehicle, one word came to mind: Boring.
He decided that motocross -- with hills and jumps and other opportunities to race with space between him and the track -- sounded much more fun.