News

       Dave Goodell told some Vinton-Shellsburg High School students about a place he has visited that is "ten times more beautiful than Texas and Colorado."     He told them about the beautiful green landscape, and the way that even the wild animals interacted with humans. He recalled sharing a can of peanut butter with a group of monkeys and laughed as he told the students how the monkeys would fight over the peanut butter until the smallest monkey grabbed the can and climbed high into a tree to eat it himself before tossing the can back to the humans below.

        The winners and runner-ups of the VPRD costume contest are (l-r): Colston Neilson (Funniest Winner), Kyle Medvedjevs (Scariest Winner), Austin Green (Funniest Runner-Up), Jace Staab (Scariest Runner-Up), Elainah Murrey (Cutest Winner), Alyssa Clark (Cutest Runner-Up), Olivia Walker (Most Original Winner), Amelia Birker (Most Original Runner-Up).

    Jacob Bunge of Vinton-Shellsburg High School has attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2011 All-State Chorus. Jacob Bunge is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Karen Bunge of Garrison, Iowa and is a vocal student of Mr. Eric Mohlis.              The 2011 Festival will celebrate the 65th anniversary of this prestigious event.

      A couple miles north of Garrison, and a few miles straight west of Vinton's Maplewood Cemetery, lies a piece of Iowa Cold Case history that has yet to be added to the Cold Case files.       There, at Carlisle Grove Cemetery, lies the body of 35-year-old Daniel P. Willford, who lived -- and died -- in the area that was then called Carlisle Grove.

The Mt. Auburn Youth Council made a donation of $50 to Duane Randall to put toward replacing trees that were damaged in July's windstorm. The council raises money through various projects then gives back to the community by donating the money earned to various needs in the community.  Pictured: Back row: Abigail and Lydia Close, Sklar Love, Mikia Stegnar, Tyler Clark, Leah Close Front row: Dillon Lint, Devon Kerr, Allisa Clark, Haley Clark, Taylor Lint, Lauren Hendryx, Davia Herger.

Girl Scout Troop 6652 did their first community service project by making Birthday in a Bag for the local food pantry.  The bags contain everything needed for a birthday party such as cake mix,  frosting, candles, hats, plates, napkins, party favors and some of the girls even included a small gift. Troop Leaders Barb Johnson and Dee Jeray are proud of the girls and their willingness to help others.

    Vinton police responded to a report of a minor accident on Second Avenue at the intersection of 10th Street Tuesday afternoon. Nobody was injured; the car was towed away. 

   Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is proud to announce the addition of economic education programs into Vinton-Shellsburg High School and Benton Community High School. This addition was helped made possible by a generous donation from the Vinton Lions Club. Junior Achievement is working in partnership with every school district in Benton County to provide economic education curriculum for students.

     Vinton area children went trick-or-treating Monday evening during the traditional Halloween celebration. A variety of cute costumes and some scary sights were part of the event. 

       The Vinton-Shellsburg National Honor Society held its induction Monday evening in the VSHS auditorium.          New Senior Members Samantha Jorgensen Zachary Latting   New Junior Members Claire Andreesen Devon Ankeny Stephanie Berry Whitney Bohnsack