News
Coover chosen Benton County Fair Queen; Hager named Princess
Abby Hager choose comfort over style when choosing the shoes to go with her prom dress for the Benton County Fair Queen contest Thursday: She wore sneakers with her formalwear.
Those sensible shoes will serve her well this week, as she fulfills the role of Princess. Hager is a friend and fellow Union High School alum of 2009 Queen Erin Sears, who was seen placing duct tape on her toes while trying to wear formal shoes during livestock shows that year. Volunteers made Fair possible despite storm damage, said Werning
Like the flag flying over the Benton County Speedway, said Glenn Werning, the 2011 Benton County Fair is "tattered but still flying."
Werning told the audience gathered for opening ceremonies and the coronation of the 2011 Fair Queen that officials saw the damage at the Fairgrounds early Monday morning and immediately decided that the Fair would go on as planned. RELIEF FUND STARTED FOR GARRISON EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS
The US Bank in Vinton has established a relief fund for the Garrison Fire Department and Garrison First Responders. In the early morning hours of July 11 the Garrison Emergency Services building was destroyed by straight line winds. The National Weather Service estimates the winds were up to 138 miles per hour for nearly 30 minutes. AmeriCorps NCCC assembles to help Vinton
by Phil Schaefer
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members immediately started cleanup at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School (IBSSS) on G Avenue after the severe storm Monday morning.
Nineteen teams of 8 piled all sorts of debris on the side of the road. Piles of brush were made to be chipped, piles of broken boards and trash were made to be dumped, and piles of copper from the IBSSS Main building were made to be scrapped.
Day 4 Garrison
After spending all morning driving to Garrison, and meandering back to Vinton through the back country roads to check on the farmers and how they faired, we came back with over 200 photos included in the video below.
We saw homes totally destroyed, and if no one was hurt there, it's even more amazing!
[VIDEO]
Garrison Cemetery needs volunteers
The Garrison Cemetery received a lot of damage in the storm Monday. We need your help to removetrees and replace some tombstones. If this is something you could do, please contact Dorothy Readnour, Secretery of the Cemetery at bndread@netins.net Pictures of the damage can be seen in the "Day 4 Garrison" [VIDEO]
Garrison residents and volunteers rally to recover from storms
In rural Iowa, natural disasters like Monday's devastating wind storm bring out the best in many people. Faith. Determination. The willingness to help strangers. Thankfulness. A triumphant spirit that overcomes adversity.
Garrison residents, like those in the other Benton County areas affected by the historic wind damage, displayed those characteristics as they shared their views with Vinton Today on Thursday. 350 More REC Members Regain Power
60 line personnel remain in the field, 40 of which are from neighboring cooperatives and contractors, East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative again made major progress yesterday in restoring power to its members. Power was restored to approximately 350 services yesterday; 50 remained without power as of 7:00 this morning.
Red Cross Shelter has been moved to Tilford
The Red Cross Shelter has been moved to Tilford Elementary School due to the lack of electricity at the high school. They are continuing to serve meals at Tilford for those at the shelter and those who don’t have means to cook for themselves.
Sheriff's Department s.T.E.P.'s out to enforce traffic safety
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office participated in the July 1st – 4th s.T.E.P. enforcement wave. This project is part of a grant from the Governors Traffic Safety Bureau. Sheriff Randy Forsyth received a 2010-2011 grant that provides $3,900.00 for radars and Alco-Sensors; $500.00 for training and educational materials; and $12,900.