News

  Students in sixth through eighth grade have the chance to enter the fifth annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest and compete for $1,000 to help boost their college savings. The statewide essay contest is co-sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association and Iowa Credit Union Foundation for Money Smart Week. Students in grades six through eight can enter the contest by writing an essay of 300 words or less that addresses the following question: “What are the financial risks and benefits of mortgaging a home from the perspective of both the potential homeowner and the bank (or lender)? Candidates must be a student in grades six to eight, should be able to “think on their feet” when responding to questions from business leaders and the media, and should be articulate and able to speak in front of large groups.

  Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, is reminding qualified Iowa residents that they can apply for Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds now through April 30, 2011.  LIHEAP provides dollars to aid low-income households to help cover heating costs.   Alliant Energy reminds customers who are not current on their utility bills to take action prior to April 1, as the moratorium on disconnections in Iowa ends on April 1.

       There is right now, according to the National Weather Service, a 24 percent greater than normal chance for spring flooding on the Cedar River in Vinton. That figure is based on winter snowfall and recent precipitation.     But other parts of Iowa, especially along the Mississippi River, face flood risks of up to 66 percent higher flood risks.

   A Vinton man won the top prize of $30,000 playing the lottery’s “Crossword” instant-scratch game. Don Campbell claimed his prize Monday, March 7, at the Iowa Lottery’s regional office in Cedar Rapids. He purchased his winning ticket at John’s Qwik Stop, 814 C Ave. in Vinton.             Crossword is a $3 scratch game.

       It is with a lot of pride and at least a little apprehension that Mark and Lori Smith of Vinton heard the latest news from their son, Adam, a HN (Hospitalman) serving with the 13th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit).      The Smiths have good reason to be proud because Adam was named the Bluejacket of the Year for the 13th MEU.

  Congratulations to the Vinton-Shellsburg High School speech team for their outstanding performances at District contest at Marshalltown on Saturday February 26th.      They earned 20 I (one ratings). The VSHS students earning Division 1 ratings included (Front Row): Liz Moen (2 events), Emma Horst (2 events), Willow Huber (2 events), Will Hancock, Nikki Thompson, Stephanie Lash.

First Name, Last Name, Grade, * indicates 4.0 GPA KATELYNN BOOTH 9 JACOB BUNGE 9 ALYSSA CANTRELL 9 EMILY CASHMAN 9 JACEY CUMMINGS 9 MIKAYLA DEARDEN 9 CARLEY DEKLOTZ* 9 LEXIS DRUGER 9 BONNIE DUONG* 9 ELIZABETH FISCHER 9 GRANT GOLDEN 9 JOEL HANOVER 9 BENJAMIN HYLAND* 9 JACOB ISBELL* 9

The puppy population at the Vinton Animal Shelter has increased greatly recently; five puppies were recently left near a residence in rural Vinton. The Vinton Animal Shelter volunteers are seeking donations. Click the link below for more information! Click to see flyer

        Some of the best jobs in Benton County in terms of pay and benefits, are jobs working for the county, said Supervisor Dave Vermedahl.       "It's a hell of a deal," said Vermedahl, explaining that the county insurance program costs county employees much less than the Vinton-Shellsburg school district's program when his wife, Lisa, was a teacher.

     It's a decades-old tradition that has been going on for so long that nobody can say for sure exactly when it began. But every year, the Kiwanis members serve pancakes during the first Saturday in March. And every year, Vinton area residents keep coming back.      The tradition continued this Saturday at the Vinton Skate Center, where 2011 Kiwanis members, assisted by local Cub Scouts, served pancakes and sausage.