The UFC on the White House Lawn for the Win

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
June 15, 2026 11:14 am

Waaay back on inauguration day, 2025, there was one word that came to mind. As President Trump rolled back into town, and the people that would be working around him appeared and were introduced, a bit uncouth of me, but there was one word that came to mind and that was, "balls.

Letter to the Editor: Listen to the People

VINTON TODAY
June 14, 2026 2:25 pm

Dear Editor,On behalf of Catholics who are losing a mass, which we know will lead to the closure of the church, I ask if any of the people behind the curtain in Oz have actually talked to the people in the diocese.

Letter to the Editor: Catholic Refugees, Migrants, Nomads in Iowa?

VINTON TODAY
June 11, 2026 11:46 am

Dear Editor, Our St Mary Catholic Church, Vinton, Iowa, is a modern, air-conditioned, well-maintained facility, totally accessible, with a parking lot of 169 spaces, including thirteen designated handicapped, and room for many more spaces of both types.

When things go boom

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
June 10, 2026 8:51 pm

As I watched a pickup being sat upright on the street in front of me, I was having some flashbacks to last Friday. I almost ached for the driver in the turned over pickup - but I think it was just residual aching from my own fender bender, or in my case, fender smasher from last Friday.

Letter to the Editor:. . . It is a death march

VINTON TODAY
June 5, 2026 3:14 pm

Dear Editor, In September Archbishop Zinkula of the Archdiocese of Dubuque introduced a new endeavor that was euphemistically described as a “Journey in Faith”.

Letter to the Editor: In support of Schoettmer

VINTON TODAY
May 27, 2026 8:13 am

Dear Benton County Residents, Melinda Schoettmer has been dedicated to Benton County and its residents since September of 1997. She has proven herself through her positions as a clerk, driver’s license deputy and now as your current Benton County Treasurer (6 years).

Letter to the Editor: Re-Elect Melinda Schoettmer Benton County Treasurer

VINTON TODAY
May 27, 2026 1:11 am

Dear Editor,I’ve worked alongside Melinda for over 27 years at the Benton County Treasurer’s Office and I am proud to support her for re-election as the Benton County Treasurer.

Primary Election my "Not It" list

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 26, 2026 3:27 pm

PSA - To vote early in the Primary, you can visit the Auditor's Office through next Monday, and even this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. if you'd like.

The Class of 2026 has left the building...

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 18, 2026 11:00 am

To watch the graduation ceremony, CLICK HERETo see pictures from graduation, CLICK HERESunday evening after graduation, I sorted through the photos that marked the end of a segment in the lives of all these "kids" who now call Vinton-Shellsburg, their alma mater.

Letter to the Editor: Thank you for the Honor Flight

EASTERN IOWA HONOR FLIGHT
May 14, 2026 1:42 am

Dear Honor Flight,My father and I were fortunate enough to be a part of the Honor Flight festivities, flights, and day of touring in Washington DC on April 21, 2026.