Belle Plaine to consider four-day school week

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
January 31, 2025 11:07 am

Belle Plaine Community School District is considering something a little out of the box. They are considering a four day school week after community support was shown for the idea.

Auditor: More than $400K in public money misspent through state-run program

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
January 31, 2025 9:56 am

By Clark KauffmanIowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a  report  Thursday that says more than $400,000 in taxpayer money was improperly spent through a program run by Iowa Workforce Development.

Rep. Gerhold Welcomes Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg, Marengo FFA Chapters

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, THOMAS GERHOLD
January 29, 2025 5:34 pm

On Wednesday, Rep. Tom Gerhold (R-Atkins) welcomed members of the Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg and Marengo FFA chapters to the Iowa House during the FFA Legislative Symposium.

Birthday Wishes make the day of former Vinton Woman

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
January 28, 2025 1:02 pm

Celebrating 109 birthdays is a pretty big deal. Receiving birthday cards over more than a century has evolved from a handwritten wish to an online source of well wishes.

Wesley United Methodist Church has received a $10,000 grant from the BCCF

VINTON TODAY
January 28, 2025 1:01 pm

Wesley United Methodist Church has received a $10,000 grant from the Benton County Community Foundation.  It was presented to many deserving community organizations totaling $149,000!  Ours will be used to make restrooms ADA compliant for the many folks who use our building.

Vinton-Shellsburg Fine Arts Century Club receives Donation

VINTON TODAY
January 24, 2025 4:31 pm

The Vinton-Shellsburg Fine Arts Century Club has received a gift of $1,000.00 from the estate of Esther Ann Hite. This gift has been directed through the Bethlehem Evandgelical Lutheran Church Congregation.

Senate panel passes latest attempt to ban hand-held phones for drivers

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
January 23, 2025 11:49 am

By Robin OpsahlAdvocates and senators at a Statehouse meeting Wednesday said they were hopeful that 2025 will be the year the Legislature can finally pass a hands-free cellphone bill for drivers.

Baby Boy Declared Safe Haven in December

STATE OF IOWA
January 23, 2025 11:47 am

Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born December 3 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined.

DNR sets public meetings to recap hunt season discuss possible changes

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
January 23, 2025 11:47 am

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.

VFW and Auxiliary Department of Iowa essay winners

VFW AUXILIARY
January 23, 2025 11:47 am

Our VFW and Auxiliary District 2 had several winners last weekend at our Midwinter conference in Des Moines, Iowa. We had a student from Independence, Iowa Post 2440 who wrote his Voice of Democracy essay.