News

The newly organized Friends of the Vinton Library are selling reusable book bags just in time for Christmas. The sturdy bags are the perfect gift to carry books back and forth to the library. The canvas and polyester blend bags must be preordered and can be ordered Monday, November 20th through Wednesday, November 29th. Cost of the bags are $15 for the cream colored canvas bag and $20 for the polyester blend gray bag.

Company donates $4 million to Hometown Care Energy FundFor the third consecutive year, Alliant Energy has donated $4 million to its Hometown Care Energy Fund to help customers who struggle financially to pay their energy bills. The funding is split evenly between customers in Iowa and Wisconsin.Alliant Energy encourages customers in need of financial assistance to apply for the funds to assist with paying and managing their energy bill.

At a balmy 61 degrees, it was a pleasant night to watch the Christmas floats pass by. The various organizations and businesses along with the Vinton Fire Department came out to escort Santa into Vinton to kick off the Christmas season. Santa visited with children in the courthouse following the parade. The best photo of Santa with his visitors was a selfie.

By Jared StrongA mixed-species backyard flock of 86 birds in Benton County was recently infected by a highly transmissible avian flu, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.It is the 14th detection of the virus in Iowa this fall. The infections have led to the culling of about 1.4 million birds to prevent the virus’ spread.

Legion members and Scouts honored worn flags with a solemn retirement ceremony on Saturday morning.Since 1937, the American Legion has helped honor worn American flags with a solemn disposal-by-burning ceremony. Members of the Vinton American Legion, retired dozens of worn flags by burning them, after reciting the ceremony approved by the Legion 82 years ago.

This Sunday there will be events happening in downtown Vinton for the annual Christmas open houses held by area businesses. From 12-4:00 p.m. the stores will be open offering some holiday cheer.LaGrange Pharmacy LaGrange Pharmacy will be offering 25% off of one item in store. Prescriptions and gift cards are exempt. There will be many gifts available to kick off the Christmas season! Enjoy refreshments and sign up for door prizes while you shop!Better Together Stop at Better Together and pet some of the adorable kittens who live there! The organization will be holding a bake sale to support their ongoing efforts to save the felines in town.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach met at the Benton County Access Center in Vinton and hosted President of Iowa State University, Wendy Wintersteen and Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Jason Henderson.  came to learn about the various opportunities available in Benton County.Greg Walston, the Benton County Director welcomed all of the participants and made introductions.

Vinton Police Department Log for Week of November 6-12, 2023All Charges are subject to review by the Benton County Attorney’s Office. An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the Defendant is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty. Intrastate Warrants are issued by Law Enforcement Agencies for crimes happening in their jurisdictions.

We are so very saddened to hear about the unexpected passing of one of our dear volunteers, Tom Gallagher. Tom delivered meals for the 4th Street Senior Dining Center in Vinton on Wednesdays and Sundays along with wherever was needed. Our thoughts are with Tom’s friends and family during this difficult time.This loss has now left us a bit of a hole in our fleet of delivery driving volunteers.

The Iowa Public Information Board was contacted by this editor along with six other residents concerning actions taken by the Benton County Board of Supervisors. Generally, I let the public do the official complaining and I just write about it. However, in the instance that I submitted a complaint about, I felt that the issue was egregious enough to file my own complaint.