News

  Four years ago, Steve Lucas of Vinton tried to buy a three-wheeled motorcycle that lean into turns. He couldn’t find one that suited his needs. So he built one. Lucas’ Leaners is one of the most recent patents approved by the U.S. Patent Office. See that 19-page patent application, which was officially approved on Sept.

  During a meeting where many people mentioned things worth celebrating at Vinton-Shellsburg, Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock added a million or more of those reasons Monday evening. “We have the rare opportunity to save the taxpayers of our district more than $1 million,” Hainstock told the school board during its meeting on Monday.

Those who remember the Dr. Seuss book (or the recent movie) "The Lorax" will quickly recognize the bright orange color and the familiar frown of the creature bemoaning the loss of the last of the trees. That figure -- created by chainsaw artist Brian Parr -- no stands watch over the outdoor classroom under construction outside of the Benton County Nature Center.

The Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District is proud to participate in the Iowa Conservation Award Program each year.  This program recognizes outstanding producers who incorporate various and innovative conserving practices in their farming operations.  The program is sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa and the State Soil Conservation Committee.

  As they have done for eight of the past nine years, guitar players and other musicians and singers from states as far away as Washington and Ariona gathered in Vinton.  The annual jam -- originally dubbed the Idiot Jam in honor of Todd Frank of Vinton, whose guitar forum nickname is The Village Idiot -- helps raise money for the Vinton-Shellsburg Dollars for Scholars.

There were lots of Super Hero costumes at Vinton-Shellsburg High School on Monday as the students dressed up as Batman and many other famous characters from the comic books and movies.  Homecoming Week began with that costume theme as well as the introduction of the King and Queen candidates. Queen candidates include:Natalie Ketchen, Erica Engbretson, Kacie Struve, Stephanie Berry, Erin Randall, Whitney Bohnsack, Cara Hach, Bailey Lyons, Bailey Leonard and Bethany Sauer.

Please join us on Friday, September 21, 2012, for the 2012 Viking/Vikette Athletic Hall of Fame Induction. The Sophomore & Varsity football teams will be hosting Independence, starting at 5:00 p.m. The induction ceremony will be held during halftime of the varsity game, approximately 8:30 p.m. This year’s inductees are as follows: John Gordon Class of 1930 Football, Basketball, Track Steve Runyan Class of 1971 Football, Basketball Diane Hesson Class of 1973 Basketball, Track, Coach Shelley Holmes Lutz Class of 1975 Basketball, Track, Softball Steve Hummel Class of 1982 Wrestling, Track Grant Bearbower Class of 1991 Football, Basketball, Baseball Scott Sutton Class of 2000 Football, Basketball, Baseball   There will be a public reception at the Vinton Country Club after the game to honor our 2012 Inductees.

The City of Vinton is getting closer to finishing up with the removal of stumps that resulted from the removal of around 800 right-of-way trees that were severely damaged last year. We now want to begin to concentrate on replacing the trees and bring back the aesthetic and environmental benefits that were taken away from us by the July 2011 windstorm.

If you are missing this boy or know who is, please tell them to call the Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter at 319-472-4623 or email vintonshelter@yahoo.com to find out how to reclaim. Thank you.

  The ISU Extension Annual Forestry Field Day will take place on October 2nd at the Ron and Carol Fullenkamp Tree Farm in West Point. The morning will begin with registration at 8:30 AM, and a walking tree identification tour for early risers. The walking tour will be hosted by Dr. Jesse Randall, Iowa State University and Outreach Extension Forester.