News
VS FFA Advocates for the Future of Agriculture
By Co-Reporter, Juliana LuisTuesday, January 30th was a spectacular day for Vinton-Shellsburg FFA seniors. Jerry Lee, Matthew Bookmeier, Kevin Heckmann, Laura Manning, Kelcie Appleby, and Grayce McClintock traveled to Des Moines to visit the capitol building. Throughout the day, members talked to Legislators and encouraged them to support future changes and policy-making decisions regarding agriculture education. The Wesley Mobile Food Pantry Thanks Volunteers
The Wesley United Methodist Church's Mobile Food Pantry had several helping hands (and feet) from Vinton-Shellsburg Community School's Scouts this past weekend. The Scouts and their adult leaders helped area residents by loading up and pulling the food in carts to area residents' cars. The pantry reported that it was another successful distribution. Lillibridge announces run for County Supervisor
Local farmer, Lance Lillibridge of Vinton, has taken several paths during his life. The latest is to run for elected office as a Benton County Supervisor.
Lance and his wife Heidi farm north of Vinton. The couple have two children. Tess is a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa and Ty will be graduating from high school this year.The family began farming in Benton County in 2002. Phil Borleske recognized as one of the 9 Who Care
KCRG takes applications for their "9 Who Care" awards each year. And among the winners this year is Vinton's Phil Borleske. With 51 applicants, KCRG came to honor Phil with an interview on January 8th.Phil began adulthood at Warburg College graduating in 1963 and in 1967 he graduated from the Wartburg Lutheran Seminary. He was then ordained and began serving with his wife Phyllis, and their three children in six different ELCA Lutheran parishes until retirement 40 years later. Your guide to which bills survived the first legislative ‘funnel’
Iowa Capital DispatchMost of the priority bills proposed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators made it through the first major deadline for the 2024 legislative session. But the details of many of those major bills are still subject to change in the coming weeks.In her Condition of the State speech in January, Reynolds laid out goals to make significant changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and the state’s mental health care system.
Fundraisers established for the Meyer Family following fire that destroys home
The Meyer family of Shellsburg has lost everything in the fire that completely destroyed their home in Shellburg at about 4:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.Six family members lived in the home, including a mother, and her two sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The mother and daughter-in-law were taken to the hospital following the incident. The daughter-in-law had to jump from a second-story window to escape the flames and injured her back in the fall which required surgery from that injury, she also suffered some burns. Iowa Public Information Board Upholds Complaints
The Iowa Public Information Board met on Thursday, to address complaints filed by Benton County residents. The board deals with complaints concerning Iowa law specifically those dealing with Chapters 21 and 22 which address Open and Closed Sessions for public officials. Between October 22 and November 20, ten separate complaints were filed against the Benton County Board of Supervisors stating violations of Iowa Code; Chapters 21 and 22. FFA Spaghetti Dinner Serves Up Excitement
By: Co-Reporter Izzie Birker The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter recently held its annual Spaghetti Dinner event in the high school commons during a home basketball game on Tuesday, February 6th. Both the High School and Middle School FFA members participated in serving meals, cooking food, cleaning, and greeting guests. The members served a delightful spread that included spaghetti, salad, cookies, and refreshing drinks. Benton County Veterans Affairs Executive Director Resigns, Seeking Applications
Benton County Veterans Affairs is now accepting applications for the position of Director. Current Director, Cara Martin has served just under three years in the county position. On February 1, 2024, she submitted her formal resignation to the county.Serving on the board for Veterans Affairs are Dale Henry, Michael Silhanek and Courtney Long. Henry said of Martin, "Cara has an opportunity to move into a position to better help veterans, which is her passion.
Cookies will help a family fight for someone else
When the community loses a member of its own, and that member is gone way too early, it hits everyone. It doesn't matter if you know the person or not, chances are you know at least one member of the family. Then you see someone reaching out and using social media for good, during this terrible, sad, no-good situation. But I wasn't surprised, not in Vinton.