News
Severe storms hammer Iowa; efforts to restore electric service continue
Outages in some areas expected to last a few days, some customers asked to reduce usage
Crews from Interstate Power and Light Co. (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, have converged on central and east-central Iowa where storms damaged electric structures, poles, and lines, causing widespread customer outages.
Storms began Monday morning and strong straight-line winds caused widespread damage.
Garrison Fun Day brings many to city; helps raise funds for local groups
The Garrison residents whose efforts to organize the annual Fun Day are "making history and don't even know it," said former Mayor Paul Schellhase.
Looking at the crowd of children playing games and adults browsing the vendor tables on Saturday, Schellhase said it's been a long time since there have been that many people at the park in Garrison. Vinton residents clearing trees, assessing damage
Vinton residents have spent the day removing hundreds of damaged trees from city streets, and even a few from the rooftops of their buildings.
Several homes and business sustained minor, moderate or significant wind damage when a line of severe thunderstorms blew through Benton County and other parts of Iowa at around 5 a. Storms, High Wind Cause Power Outages
A strong line of thunder storms with extremely high winds resulted in significant damage to the electrical distribution system of East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative early this morning in Benton County. As of 7:00 a.m. 3,300 services were without power. Nine substations were not operating due to damage to the transmission lines serving them.
Vinton & Garrison traffic limited to emergency response
The cities of Vinton and Garrison have sustained major wind damage. These cities are currently attempting to conduct clean up and provide for the immmediate needs of the local population. Until further notice, only emergency response traffic is being permitted into Vinton and Garrison.
Castle Ridge to perform in Vinton Friday
The popular eastern Iowa band Castle Ridge will be performing Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Vinton.
Castle Ridge is a three piece acoustic ensemble performing bluegrass, old-time country and swing. Castle Ridge has been performing in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri since 2005, and has one CD to its credit. Iowa's famous Hillbilly Bob visited Garrison Fun Day
Gov. Terry Branstad rode in it in a parade. Nebraska Governor and Senator Ben Nelson, too. And Toby Keith. And Jeff Foxworthy.
The people who went to the Garrison Fun Day and saw “Ruthie,” the rusty 1929 Model A that is decked out in a variety of humorous hillbilly decorations may not have guessed that they were looking at a celebrity act that has entertained thousands at county fairs, parades and other events in 41 states. Alumni Football a success; V-S and CPU players plan rematch next year
Before the Vinton-Shellsburg and Center Point-Urbana Alumni Football players took off their pads Friday night in Center Point, they decided that the inaugural Alumni Football event in Benton County was so successful -- and so fun -- that they want to do it again next year, in Vinton.
The scoreboard indicates that CPU players had a bit more fun; they won 12-0. Vinton Police Department Log for June 2011
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'Upward departure:' Federal prosecutors seek more jail time for Duong, Long
A two-word legal phrase in federal court documents filed recently has an ominous meaning for Phung Ca (Polly) Long and Chan Duong, the owners of the Peony restaurants in Vinton and Toledo.
That phrase is "upward departure." In short, it means that something has happened in a criminal case that has prompted a prosecutor to seek (or a judge to order) a prison sentence longer than the sentence previously recommended.