News
Snow Emergency declared in Vinton
From noon on Wednesday to noon on Friday, the City of Vinton has declared a snow emergency which requires the removal of vehicles from the public streets within the city limits. City Code of Ordinances 69.13 Swine Scholars Auction Raises Record Amount for Iowa Students
The 2025 Iowa Pork Congress saw a record-breaking fundraising effort for student scholarships in the pork industry. This year’s Dollars for Swine Scholars Auction raised an impressive $62,511, surpassing the previous record of $61,525 set in 2023.Held in January at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, the auction was a highlight of the Iowa Pork Congress festivities. DNR sets public meetings to recap hunting/trapping seasons, discuss rules
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.“We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau.
AmeriCorps Members and Host Sites WANTED
The Iowa Community Corps is a new, Public Health AmeriCorps program at the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services. AmeriCorps members serve directly with community-based organizations and government agencies to tackle our state’s most pressing challenges. Members receive a living allowance and education award for their service, while gaining a professional network, skills, and professional development to forge a successful career in public health.
Creative Kids Co-Owners Share Program Updates with Vinton Kiwanis
The Vinton Kiwanis recently hosted Meredith Zuspann and Kelsey Fish, co-owners and co-directors of Creative Kids, who shared exciting updates about their growing childcare and education programs.Creative Kids operates at two locations—Tilford Elementary and Shellsburg Elementary. They offer a Kindergarten Wrap-Around program that currently serves approximately 30 children full-time between the two sites. DuCharme pleads Guilty
Robert "Bob" DuCharme, the former owner of Tactical Creations in Vinton, was arrested last March 5, 2024, on a total of 10 charges:1 - Sexual Abuse, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a Class B Felony2,3,4,5,6 - Sexual Abuse, 2nd Degree, Class B Felony7, 8- Assault with intent to Commit Sexual Abuse, Aggravated Misdemeanor9, 10 - Lascivious Acts with a Child - Fondle or Touch, Class C FelonyThis week DuCharme entered an Alford plea of guilt to charges 8,9 and 10. V-S FFA Seniors Engage in Advocacy at Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium
By Co-Reporter Izzie BirkerOn Wednesday, January 22nd, eight Vinton-Shellsburg FFA seniors took the day to visit the capitol. More than 700 high school students wearing blue corduroy from 120 schools visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines. V-S FFA students visited with Representatives Thomas Gerhold and Derek Wulf, we got the opportunity to talk to them about what they do at the capital and some of the current discussions they have been in that are in progress. Applications Open for more than $700,000 in Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) is excited to announce the opening of its 2025 scholarship application process, offering students the opportunity to receive a share of over $700,000 in scholarships. The deadline to apply is 8 p.m. on March 12.The CFNEIA scholarship program supports high school, college, and adult students in pursuing higher education.
Bill would require Iowa K-12 materials follow Trump order on ‘Gulf of America’
By Robin OpsahlIowa lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require Iowa schools to replace in educational materials any references to the Gulf of Mexico with “Gulf of America” and “Denali” with “Mount McKinley.”House Study Bill 97 comes weeks after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. Department of the Interior would work with the U.