The weather played a nasty Easter weekend trick on all of the Easter bunnies in the area. Following a night of pouring rain, the morning greeted us at a nippy 38 degrees.

Benton County Conservation Library Programs will be at the following libraries.  Plant a Seed & Read! June 5th, 10:00 a.m. - Belle Plaine Public Library June 22nd, 10:15 a.

Resolution #26-20ProclamationWHEREAS, Sexual assault affects women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds; andWHEREAS, in addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs, sexual assault may also have associated consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, depression, homelessness, eating disorders and suicide; andWHEREAS, sexual assault can be devastating not only to the survivor, but also for the family, friends and community of the survivor; andWHEREAS, since no one person, organization, agency, or community can eliminate sexual assault on their own, we must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, support survivors and their significant others, and support those agencies providing services to survivors.

The Vinton Fire Department responded to a fire at the home of Stephanie and Bridgette Castle in Vinton on Wednesday evening, April 1st at 11:44 p.m. The department released the following:"The Vinton Fire Department was dispatched by Benton County, Iowa Sheriff's Office Dispatch to a reported structure fire at a private residence in the 700 block of West 8th Street.

A former Vinton-Shellsburg preschool teacher is charged after police say she left bruises on a 4-year-old boy after an incident at the school.Kimberly Murray, 51 of Manchester, was charged after leaving bruises on a 4 year old boy after an incident at school   She was charged on December 15, 2025, with child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor and assault causing bodily injury or mental illness a serious misdemeanor.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District Board of Education has selected Jon Mendoza as the district’s next superintendent, pending board finalization.

🚧  Parking Lot Construction Notice  ðŸš§Update - Delayed to April 6th due to weather!As we all know, the weather doesn’t always cooperate with our plans.

If you have a question about basically anything that happens in the great outdoors, Pat Jorgensen of Vinton is probably the guy with the answers for you.

A growing legal and financial crisis is unfolding for Sky Auto Mall dealerships in Newhall and Center Point after a court ruling allowed the seizure of millions of dollars in vehicle inventory, followed closely by bankruptcy filings from the owners.

The Shellsburg Public Library has a new service. There is now an Event Room available for rent.It is perfect for:Birthday PartiesScrap BookingCelebrationsShowersMeetingReunions and moreFor contact information see their Facebook page here.