Fine I'll admit it, now get off my lawn!

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 18, 2023 9:00 pm

It's official. I'm an "elderly woman." How do I know? Well, I know I'm a woman. And I know I'm old. And Amazon assumes that if you're looking for a dvd player, this puts me in the "elderly woman" category.

Chocolate milk and Cheer

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 14, 2023 9:34 am

Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."Because of a series of events which include a cancer diagnosis in the extended family, I get to babysit one of my preschool granddaughters.

We Must Eradicate Antisemitism in the Wake of the Israel-Hamas War

THE DAILY CALLER
December 12, 2023 7:26 pm

Editor's note: I've been wanting to write on this topic, but I just haven't had the time to do so. Instead, I will share the thoughts of Callista Gingrich on the topic.

If you want to be on the ballot, Don't win the Caucus

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 5, 2023 12:48 pm

I have been pondering the Iowa Caucus this year and what it means. For candidates it makes them look like they are doing good in the polls. In a way. it gives the winners a little bit to brag about.

Some quit the race, while others are joining up

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
December 1, 2023 12:11 am

Back in the good ol' days I had the chance to babysit one of my granddaughters from the time she was a few months old until she was I think three. Part of the babysitting included overnights.

Vivek Ramaswamy was in town, Zzzzzzzz

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
November 29, 2023 10:39 pm

As a reporter, I've been tossing around, how to report or whether I need to report that Vivek Ramaswamy was in town. He came. He saw. He left. Big deal.

Letter to the Editor: We need to remember our foundation

VINTON TODAY
November 27, 2023 11:47 am

Dear Editor,In the early months of 2014, I was very involved with the Benton County Republican Committee and was assigned to the platform committee.  Frankly, the platform was a mess.

Speed cameras to arrive in LaPorte City

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
November 23, 2023 11:42 am

Another neighboring town will soon be adding speed cameras to its streets. Citing excessive speeds of nearly 600 cars going about 10 miles over the limit, the local police chief Chris Brecher, hopes to lower the cases of speeding.

"No Backsies," said Frances

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
November 21, 2023 6:17 pm

When I was a kid, there was a book called, "A bargain for Frances." In the book, two friends have a falling out over some deals that were made. Frances was saving her money to buy a new tea set that she had been eyeing in the store, because she didn't have one.

Letter to the Editor: Words of Hope

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
November 21, 2023 11:53 am

October 30, 2023EditorVinton TodayAs the first Benton County woman ever to be elected as a Benton County Supervisor - and coincidentally one of the first six women county supervisors elected in the State of Iowa, I had a double reason for seeking the job.