Representative clarifies education bill

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DAWN PETTENGILL
February 26, 2013 12:43 pm

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Nine years at the Capitol and for the very first time, last Thursday all of the House and Senate meetings were canceled for snow and look what happened.

Dreaming of a white... Washington's Birthday?

VINTON TODAY
February 22, 2013 12:35 pm

Christmas was barely white this winter, but a few other more recent significant days have been decorated with white from above. Today -- the 281st birthday of President George Washington -- is also white, as six to seven inches of fresh snow covers the ground and delayed the start of school for two hours.

Beware of the excesses of political parties: Washington’s most un-heeded speech

VINTON TODAY
February 22, 2013 10:32 am

It’s ironic that as we celebrate the anniversary of George Washington’s birth 218 years ago today, that even before the ink was dry on his farewell message, two of his best friends and closest associates in the creation of his country were already at work ignoring his words.

A winter's night (delayed) pre-game traditions

VINTON TODAY
February 21, 2013 5:38 pm

  The shovels are outside the door; the boots, hat and gloves await in your closet. The friend/neighbor/brother-in-law with the plow is on speed dial.

Budget debate must begin with uncomfortable questions about local impact

VINTON TODAY
February 20, 2013 12:18 pm

Warning: This column is going to make you uncomfortable. But if you want to be an informed participant in the debate over "sequester" or any other budget issue, you need to learn the answers to a few questions.

A personal introduction to Diversity, 101

VINTON TODAY
February 18, 2013 2:09 pm

  A few years ago, my oldest kid was hanging out with some friends here in Vinton, when one of them pointed out the window to the 1980s Ford LTD she had parked across the street.

Remembering the most-loved -- and least popular -- Abraham Lincoln

VINTON TODAY
February 12, 2013 9:48 am

What should you give the President whom most consider the most-loved in American history on the occasion of his 204th birthday. Having never spoken to any dead U.

To the Editor: Working together is the solution to educational challenges

SARA ARNOLD
February 11, 2013 1:39 pm

To the Editor: Educators in the Vinton-Shellsburg district are working diligently to provide valuable educational experiences for our children. And when I say educators, this includes: teachers, administrators, associates, custodians, nurses, coaches, etc, along with parents.

A birthday tribute to the Gipper

VINTON TODAY
February 11, 2013 11:47 am

Continuing my series of birthday tributes (last week, Charles Dickens, tomorrow Abe Lincoln), today I offer a memorial to Ronald Reagan on the 102nd anniversary of his birth, with the hope that those of both parties who quoted him so often in the 2012 campaign rememer him as fondly as I do.

Avoiding the armpit pitfalls of basketball photography

VINTON TODAY
February 10, 2013 8:07 pm

It will come as no surprise to many people who read my words that I didn't take journalism in college. My major was in public administration, but I quickly discovered it is more fun to write about what government should do or can't do right rather than actually doing it.