News
More Green Shirts arrive in Vinton; AmeriCorps Class 17 leaders are here
Class XVII Team Leaders have officially invaded Vinton yet again. The heavy snowfall on January 10, 2011 did not deter anyone from showing up. After a few delays due to airports closing, 25 new young people arrived in Vinton to begin their service on Tuesday, January 11. Now all together for the journey that will lead them through the next year of service, the new Team Leaders are eager to start working in the Vinton community and nearby states.
No changes for now after supervisors hear firearms discussion
The Benton County Supervisors heard from Tom Boeckmann and several others about their new resolution banning guns from the courthouse and other county property.
The discussion on this issue included several speakers and an audience of more than 30 people. Because of the large crowd, the meeting moved upstairs to the main courtroom.
Farmers Savings Bank & Trust project nears completion
Right on schedule, the expansion of Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Vinton is nearing completion enough that the offices of Bank President Darlys Hulme and Investment Services Representative Jeff Peterson are ready for furniture. Carpet layers expected to have all of the carpet installed today. Outside, the exterior of the building is nearly finished as well. Higher diesel prices mean higher garbage cost for Vinton
When the Vinton City Council and garbage hauler Herb Boots agreed to the multi-year contract for garbage hauling, the price of diesel fuel was $2.56 per gallon. The city’s contract with Boots contains a provision allowing Boots to seek an increase in the monthly per-household rate if the price of fuel rose to $3.
Raelynn Fitzpatrick is a favorite among the Viking fans at basketball games
For most people involved with high school sports, the events are family affairs. The same is true for Vinton-Shellsburg cheerleading coach Krystal Fitzpatrick, who is often accompanied to basketball games by her daughter, Raelynn. The almost-3-year-old loves to stand with the crowd and cross her heart for the singing or playing of the Star Spangled Banner, although her mom says sometimes she forgets which hand to use. Iowa Firearms Training Class
A new law going into effect on January 1, 2011 requires the Sheriff of each county to issue a permit to carry weapons to any person 21 years of age or older who is not addicted to alcohol, not likely to use a weapon unlawfully or in such a manner as would endanger the person’s self or others, is not a felon, and has not been convicted of a serious or aggravated misdemeanor in the past three years.
Drive Carefully: Some roads '100 percent ice'
A Benton County deputy responding to a report of a vehicle in the ditch near Norway described road conditions between Blairstown and Norway as "100 percent ice."
Sleet and snow made driving more treacherous in Benton County and other parts of Iowa Monday. There was no school because of the Martin Luther King holiday.
Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Teachers to Register for Free Pencils
Teachers must submit their requests for pencils before the April 1st deadline
State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants every second and third grade teacher in the state to take advantage of the free pencils being offered through Prepare for the Basics. This no-cost program, which provides pencils for students to use during the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, supplied almost 13,500 students with pencils during the 2008-09 school year.
Nature Center sees progress
The old walls that divided the former house into bedrooms and living room space have been removed. A new wood floor is nearing completion in the open area of what soon will be the Benton County Nature Center.
Benton County Conservation Director led Vinton Today on a brief tour of the building this week. Library gets new gutters
The old, original rain gutters at the Vinton library had failed, causing some water to enter the building. That problem has been fixed, said Librarian Virginia Holsten. Workers replaced the gutters.