Celebrating Local Impact and Philanthropic MilestonesThe Benton County Community Foundation has released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the generosity, partnerships, and community investments that continue to strengthen Benton County.

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn Tuesday, May 19th, members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter traveled to Ames to compete in the State Career Development Events (CDEs).

Below you will find a link to our annual community survey. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to provide your responses. Gathering community feedback is one of our accreditation standards through the State Library of Iowa.

The Board recognized Shelly Williams as a Vinton-Shellsburg Positive Difference Maker for her outstanding service to students and families throughout her years as a bus driver and associate at the alternative high school.

Benton County watched as the unofficial results for the two most contested races rolled in on Tuesday night. The total votes cast came in at 3,947, with Republicans at 2,811, and Democratic votes at 1,136In the race for Benton County Supervisor, a seat held by Tracy Seeman, there were two additional candidates vying for the seat on the Republican ticket, Tim Bird of Shellsburg and Bethany Hantz of Atkins.

Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is grateful to announce a generous donation from Clickstop, Inc. and Clickstop Cares of Urbana, Iowa, in support of students and families across the district.

Kyle Koeppen, the outgoing Superintendent for the Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools, spoke one last time to the area Kiwanis Club. He arrived in Vinton in the midst of the COVID scare and remembers the packed school board meetings where everyone showed up to share their thoughts and opinions concerning mask-wearing, or not wearing, what kind of masks work, what doesn't.

Secretary Naig and Gov. Reynolds championed the legislation to provide additional investments in water treatment facilities and rural and urban water quality practicesIowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today joined Gov.

The Vinton City Council held their meeting last Thursday evening. All members of the council were present: Ron Hessenius, Tami Stark-Mahood, Zach Parmater, Wesley Recker, Andrew Elwick and Dakoda Sellers via zoom and Mayor Bud Maynard.

The Iowa Events Center in Des Moines hosted the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony on April 26, 2026. The following students were recognized by Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement:Jillian Hanson - LaPorte City - UnionAllison Argo - Belle Plaine - Belle PlaineAly Erickson - Vinton - Vinton-ShellsburgThe statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 429 high school seniors from across Iowa.