News Headlines

Community Bell Ringers included...Two singing teachers ♫ ♩

SALVATION ARMY OF BENTON COUNTY - January 2nd 2026 11:47 am

Two retired teachers from Center Point - Urbana, gave it their all while ringing the bell for the Salvation Army of Benton County. The two teachers entertained shoppers by singing carols accapella in front of Fareway!

January 1, 2026 Fines apply for phone violations while driving

IOWA STATE PATROL - January 1st 2026 10:04 am

Starting TODAY: Iowa moves from warning to enforcement - hands‑free only while driving. Law Enforcement may now issue citations for any use of electronic devices while driving unless the device is used hands‑free. Stay safe, Iowans. Team with us to save lives.Iowa will enforce a hands-free driving law that prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving.

advertiser content

Community Bell Ringers included...Wesley United Methodist Church

SALVATION ARMY OF BENTON COUNTY - December 28th 2025 6:44 pm

Bell ringers from Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton. Several area folks helped to be bell ringers throughout the season to raise money for the Red Kettle Drive as part of efforts by the Benton County Salvation Army.

Tama County Man Wins $1 Million Prize

IOWA LOTTERY - December 26th 2025 5:52 pm

A Tama County man has won a $1 million Powerball® prize on a ticket he purchased in Benton County.William Zak of Dysart won big in the drawing on Dec. 20. His ticket matched the first five numbers and was just one number away from winning that night’s $1.434 billion jackpot, missing only the Powerball. It was one of eight tickets across the country to win a $1 million prize in that night’s drawing.

Local family suffers house fire on Christmas Eve

VINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT - December 26th 2025 5:41 pm

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 08:16 pm, the Vinton Fire Department was requested by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch to a private residence in the 1000 block of West 8th Street to a working structure fire reported to 911 by a neighbor.Vinton Fire responded to the scene with both command units (Chief Staab and Assistant Chief Wood), both city engines 719 and 711, and ladder truck 707 with a total response of 17 members with the first units arriving on scene at 08:23 pm.

advertiser content

Daily Email will resume January 5

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - December 24th 2025 10:19 am

I'm going to do something I haven't done in decades: I'm going to take a week off. Generally, the week between Christmas and New Year's is slow when it comes to news, however, I will keep an eye on things. Information that needs to be shared in a timely manner, will make the trip to your inbox. Things like meeting agendas, obituaries and any significant weather updates will go out.

Benton County Veterans honor the Fallen

BENTON COUNTY AMERICAN LEGION - December 23rd 2025 7:42 pm

Veteran members of the Benton County American Legion lowered the flag at their memorial along Highway 30. The Benton County Memorial flag was lowered to half mast to honor the Iowa National Guard members killed in action in Syria, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Three other service members were injured during the incident in Palmyra, Syria.

Garrison Lions bring Sunshine to the Community

GARRISON LIONS CLUB - December 23rd 2025 5:58 pm

Even though it was cold and snowy, the elves in the Garrison Lions packed Sunshine Baskets and delivered them all around the community. It’s always worth the effort to see so many smiling faces when they knocked on the doors! Each bag had a banana, orange, apple, a small loaf of homemade pumpkin bread, a bag of salted peanuts, candy, and a card from our Lions Club.

advertiser content

Final hours to give to the Salvation Army

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - December 23rd 2025 9:31 am

If you are out and about in the last couple of days before Christmas, don't forget to drop a donation into the red kettle at the local Fareway. Fareway staff will be ringing the bell on Wednesday, the 24th until the store closes at 5:00 p.m.If you can help the community with a donation, now is your chance! If you don't carry cash, you can donate by mail by making a check out to the Benton County Salvation Army, 1201 C Ave, Vinton, Iowa 52349.

Jeffery Diveley faces six more charges

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - December 23rd 2025 7:25 am

Article Thumbnail. Diveley leaving court following his sentencing in December 2024

The Benton County Sheriff’s Department released the arrest records which showed that the department has filed charges once again against, Jeffrey Diveley. Charges were once again filed against Diveley on December 15, 2025. The 65-year-old is currently serving a 40-year sentence at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Corallville on 14 previous charges.

advertiser content