News : 2010 review: November brought elections and a legendary singer

Gary Morris played for two near-capacity Palace audiences in November.

2010 Review: Maurice Flickinger had some help to lift this barn quilt on his farm.

Regina Malaska began selling these pet-themed braclets to raise money for Animal Shelter.

VGH employee Jenny Northrup initiated the "Holiday Tree Walk" iin 2010.

Review '10: This truck was one of the entries in the annual Veterans Patriotic Christmas Parade.

The election of 2010 kept many busy the first week of November. Nearly 2,200 county voters cast their ballots in early or absentee ballots. That number is a new record for a non-presidential election.

Election results: In the only contested local race, Jason Sanders defeated Ed Sass to retain his seat on the Board of Supervisors. And area residents voted the same way the majority of Iowans did, with one exception. Congressman Leonard Boswell, who won reelection, received fewer votes in Benton County than his opponent, Brad Zaun.

Gary Morris

The singer who first gave us “Wind Beneath My Wings” came to Vinton in November. Gary Morris, a cousin of Vinton resident Barb Rego, performed at the Palace after being invited by an area fan after a concert in Kansas City. See the VT interview with Morris before the show here: http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article102010.html

Peony cases

In several court appearances and filings in November and December, Peony Restaurant owners Chan Duong and Polly Long pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens and other charges, and agreed to the forfeiture of more than $700,000 and three homes, but kept their restaurants and their home in Vinton.

VSHS alumni in Cyclone Band

Jeremy McBride and Rachael Larkin of Vinton have been playing in the Iowa State University Marching Band. See that story here: http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article102026.html

HolidayTree Walk

Virginia Gay Hospital employee Jenny Northrup came up with a new idea for celebrating the Christmas season at VGH: A holiday tree walk. More than 20 trees were part of the first event, which will become an annual tradition. See that story here: http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article101953.html

Fatal accident

Debra A. Manternach, 15, of Watkins, died Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from injuries sustained in a car accident on Friday.

Death of Sherry McLaughlin

Sherry McLaughlin, the former National Legion Auxiliary President, died in November. See a story in her honor here: http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article102027.html

‘Winning Edge’

Nearly 100 officers from throughout Iowa came to Vinton to hear Brian McKenna’s presentation on tactical safety. McKenna, a retired officer, discussed ways for officers to handle armed conflict.