News : WOW! 13 Years!

Well, the silly republicans in Des Moines have finally started to realize that for the most part, newspapers are sooo last century. I remember a conversation with a gal who had been in the newspaper business longer than I've been around. She declared that "newspapers will never go away!" In one sense, she's right. There will always be a newspaper in one sense or another. But the reality is that print is on its way out, while online news can be found anywhere.

Fortunately, the need for online news was realized about 15 years ago here in Vinton. The Vinton Today version of this site began 13 years ago.

Vinton has had its share of natural disasters. We've had floods, tornados, straight-line winds, a derecho, and every time residents have used Vinton Today to find out where the Red Cross would be located when to expect power again, and officials are great at getting that information out to you via Vinton Today.

Most communities don't have a central location like this to share information. Most also rely on word of mouth to share the loss of friends and family as well as sharing any events that the community is planning. VT shares those losses FREE OF CHARGE, which has caused some families to cry in relief over having one less expense.

I've shared too many events FREE OF CHARGE because I believe helping you, helps the community. At the same time, just a friendly reminder, if you decide to pay for a print ad, you should also consider the same amount for VT.

The fun part of the website is being able to also share good news quickly. When the girls went to the state basketball tournament, being able to relay what was happening was a blast. I've live-streamed city council meetings, and supervisor meetings all of which the government agencies have now decided to do themselves. While the supervisor meeting can be found on Youtube HERE the city can be seen HERE courtesy of Dakoda Sellers who records the meetings now. (The city version is on Zoom and not able to be pulled up at will.)

I also get a kick out of promoting the Athlete of the Week. When someone brings to my attention that we have a local athlete competing against other athletes, there's no doubt that Vinton Today helps to put our athletes on TV with all of our Facebook votes, and that makes me smile. I mean, seriously, it's almost not even fair to anyone competing once it hits Vinton Today.

Anyway, back to the state officials in Des Moines. The newly formed Technology Committee in Des Moines has introduced a bill that moved quickly committee and passed through the Ways & Means Committee. Senate File 546 would require legal notices to be posted on a government website removes the requirement and expense of running them in a print newspaper.

The ability to be able to read the teeny tiny print associated with these legal notices is enough reason to place them online. When you find something online you can zoom in if you need to, and usually easily search for what you're looking for.

I've been pushing for this for, well 13 years now. Vinton Today doesn't make a dime on government notices, which affects all of us. However, the ability to be able to see what you're trying to read is essential. Usually, the older folks are interested in seeing these, and with Vinton Today you can read the information sent in without a magnifying lens.

I haven't been doing a great job of bragging about Vinton Today, I've been busy. But I can tell you that Vinton Today has put Vinton on the map. It is and has been the largest website in the county, and also boasts that largest Facebook following.

This past weekend, I missed the official anniversary of Vinton Today. 13 years ago this whole crazy idea of providing news free to the community, independent of a newspaper began. Because of our local advertisers you get to read, enjoy and share it FREE.

When they referred to the VS girls as a David vs. Goliath scenario, that's exactly how this began. Now Vinton Today boasts more readers than the newspaper does. The Vinton Today Facebook page is strong with more than 8,100 followers. Several residents that are from throughout the county, have joined Vinton Today. Residents that used to live here also check in to see what's happening "at home."

A quick glance tells me that we have had more than 31 MILLION visits to the website over the years.

The ability to do this is only because of this community's support through the years. Advertisers carry the weight of keeping Vinton Today online. Because of this economy, Vinton Today could use more of those. If you want to share your business on Vinton Today trust me, we can make it work. Just zap me a note at vintontoday@hotmail.com.

Vinton Today also relies on the support of the readers. If you can send in a donation to help with the operating expenses, which include a monthly fee to keep the site online, and other odds and ends, your support is very appreciated. A small monthly donation if it's in your budget, would be welcome as well.

You can send support online using Venmo to user @VintonToday(if you need the phone number to verify, it's 319-202-4125.)

Or you can mail a check directly to: Vinton Today, PO Box 7, Vinton, IA 52349

Thank you everyone for reading, sending in your news, sending in news tips and for just being such awesome folks to work with. Really, this is a fun job, because of all of you.

Thank you for making the last 13 years awesome!