News

Editor's note: As I started my story about the DeSantis visit on Saturday, this note from Peggy came in. This kind of topped saying, "Ron DeSantis was here...so from her front row seat...By Peggy KelleyIt has been way over an hour since the biggest surprise in my life happened.  Thank Heavens I could hear my south porch doorbell over the vacuum! Two people in their mid-20s asked me if I was a Ron DeSantis supporter.

BY: ASHLEY MURRAY A deadline for a year’s worth of backdated benefits is fast approaching for U.S. veterans suffering illnesses after exposure to open burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxins.Nearly a year ago, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, a law supporters describe as the largest expansion of veteran benefits in U.S. history. The law eases the path to expanded coverage, alleviating veterans from having to prove conditions like respiratory illness and cancer are a result of breathing toxic burn pit fumes or exposure to radiation or chemicals like tactical herbicides.

This week, we lost a local war hero. John Gualtier was a proud United States Army veteran who served as a combat medic during World War II. For his service, John earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Serving in France, Austria and Germany. John later re-enlisted and served stateside during the Korean War.John's dad, a World War I veteran tried to spare his son from seeing, the same horrors that he had seen and experienced.

The Shellsburg community is seeking the public's help to preserve a downtown mural. The mural is in bad shape, but it is an important part of our downtown’s history and culture, and we want to make sure it is saved. General Mills is not interested in assisting. The Shellsburg Area Community Group (SACG) has not found a grant for this type of project.

BY: CLARK KAUFFMANJudge compares information sharing to video-store rentalsA federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging an Iowa newspaper publisher violated customers’ privacy rights through information sharing with Facebook.The Iowa-based newspaper chain Lee Enterprises is facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging it has shared readers’ personal information, including the videos they watch on Lee websites, with Facebook in violation of federal law.

Beginning on Monday July 31st, 1st St. from R to Q Avenue will be closed for construction. This would be the street that goes in front of the county shop and to the Vinton Legion. Take the alternate route of R Ave. to reach the American Legion George G. Luckey Post 57.

Friday night the Vinton Fire Department responded to a call at 1507 W. 3rd St. in Vinton to the condos located at this location. Video was recorded by Misty Millard and shared with Vinton Today and can be seen here. Warning if strong language offends you, watch it muted. Click to view Thank you to Misty for sending this in!"Vinton Fire Department wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those that assisted us at our call last night.

School supplies will be collected from anyone that would like to donate. Supplies should be delivered to the First Christian Church by August 14. The church is located at: 1209 W 13th St, Vinton.Supplies will be distributed at the First Christian Church FREE and on a first come, first served basis until supplies are gone. Call LaNette Parker to make an appointment to receive supplies 319-521-1496.

Please check on your friends and especially the elderly or those with breathing issues this week. Make sure they are all in a cool location and aren't trying to "tough it out" with broken air conditioning or without fans.Due to the extreme temperatures this week, the old Revolution Church currently known as The Well, located at 417 1st Ave in Vinton will be open for individuals who need a cool place to hang out.

Fifty people descended on Maplewood Cemetery on Tuesday for the Vinton Monuments / Atlas Preservation cemetery preservation workshop. Jonathan Appell of Atlas Preservation in Southington,Connecticut lead the workshop. Participants had an opportunity to perform hands-on cleaning, resetting of monuments and repair of monuments thought to never stand again.