News Headlines

FFA Critter Corner!: VS FFA hosts a Petting Zoo during Party in the Park

FFA - July 17th, 2025 6:06 pm

Article Thumbnail. Levi Lutz and Zoey McClintock handing out ducks and chicks to kids.

By: Co-Reporter, Bri DulinOn Saturday, July 12th, 12 FFA members volunteered at the petting zoo held at Riverside Park in Vinton. They brought smiles to kids and families throughout the day by teaching them about animals and having craft stations for temporary tattoos, magnetic bookmarks, and kindness rock painting. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.attendees also had the chance to meet and pet friendly farm animals including a bottle calf, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.

Sun, Fun, and FFA: FFA Summer Outing At Jellystone Park

FFA - July 17th, 2025 10:02 am

Article Thumbnail. Will McKenna, Andrew Allsup, Madeline Pingenot, Bri Dulin, Kirsten Pettit, Maddie Bunten, and Ciara Dods playing on the inflatable water course.

By: Co-Reporter, Bri DulinOn Monday, June 30th, seven FFA members went to Jellystone Park in Monticello, Iowa for our Summer Outing. The day was packed with fun as the members took on the inflatable water course, paddle boarding, and paddle boats!

advertiser content

Local educator participating in STEM Externships Program

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - July 14th, 2025 7:57 pm

Ann Conklin, a Spanish and science teacher at Vinton-Shellsburg High School in Vinton, is among 86 teachers across Iowa participating in the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program. This program offers teachers the chance to gain hands-on STEM-related work experiences at various local workplaces to help enrich their classroom instruction with real-world applications.

BENTON COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE FULL-TIME CLERK

HAYLEY RIPPEL, BENTON COUNTY AUDITOR - July 13th, 2025 5:11 pm

The Benton County Auditor’s Office will be accepting applications for a full-time clerk through Friday, July 25, 2025. The position will be responsible for assisting the Auditor and/or Deputy Auditor with his/her duties including, but not limited to: working with governmental processes relating to budgeting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, maintaining accurate real estate records, fixed asset reporting, website maintenance, voter registration, as well as other routine clerical duties as assigned including elections.

13th Annual Party in Pink a Success

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - July 13th, 2025 1:56 pm

As I reflect on today, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible support from our community. Despite the rainy start, the 13th Annual Party in Pink 5K/10K was a true success-wrapped up beautifully with a rainbow.Over 100 amazing volunteers and more than 100 dedicated participants showed up with heart and spirit. Some 10K runners braved water hazards and came back smiling, while over half chose to do the 5K route twice-and did so with impressive times!To everyone who took on the 5K-your grit and tenacity were inspiring.

advertiser content

Cornell hires Levis as new vice president, CFO, treasurer

VINTON TODAY - July 10th, 2025 1:50 pm

Cornell College is proud to announce the hire of Rob Levis as the new vice president, chieffinancial officer, and treasurer.Levis comes to Cornell with nearly four decades of experience in finance, leadership, andoperations. Most recently, he has worked with AmeriCorps since 2008, leading budgeting andoperations of the program and residential campus in Vinton, Iowa.

Healthy Kids Iowa Locations

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - July 9th, 2025 11:42 am

We believe every child deserves access to healthy food.LINK TO: https://hhs.iowa.gov/healthy-kids-iowaHEALTHY KIDS IOWA LOCATIONSVGH Sponsoring at Benton Community SchoolsJune 26th; July 17th; August 7th – 4-7PM600 1st St, Van Horne, IA 52346Near Gym DoorsHEALTHY KIDS IOWA LOCATIONSVGH Sponsoring at Vinton Shellsburg SchoolsJune 26th; July 17th; August 7th – 4-7PM210 W 21st StBack of School Parking Lot (East side of school)Vinton, IA 52349Healthy Kids IowaBrought to you by Virginia Gay Hospital and Your Local SchoolsNo ID.

Barn Dance Benefit Saturday, July 26th

VINTON TODAY - July 8th, 2025 1:15 pm

We're opening our BARN—and our HEARTS—to help one of our own. A Barn Dance Benefit will be held for Mitch Kacena on Saturday, July 26th. Doors will be open at 6:00 p.m.On June 1st, our son, Mitch Kacena was involved in a terrible accident while helping a friend take down an old radio tower. The tower unexpectedly collapsed with Mitch harnessed to the top, causing him to fall 56 feet!Miraculously, he survived by landing on his feet and rolling to lessen the impact.

advertiser content

Thank You to Simulation in Motion–IA (SIM-IA)

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - July 3rd, 2025 10:18 pm

Virginia Gay Hospital extends a sincere thank you to Simulation in Motion–IA (SIM-IA) for providing valuable, hands-on training to our clinic staff this week. Their team led us through two high-acuity trauma scenarios—realistic situations that could easily arise during these hot summer months.SIM-IA is a unique program designed to deliver high-quality simulated clinical learning directly to communities across Iowa.

Community Volunteers Serve Up Smiles – Rain or Shine!

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - July 2nd, 2025 6:51 pm

]Despite the rainy weather, the June 26th food box distribution event was a huge success — thanks to our amazing volunteers (VGH Staff, Van Horne Lions Club, Vinton-Shellsburg School and Staff, Benton Community School and Staff) and community support. A total of 307 kids received food boxes, ensuring families had access to nutritious meals and support when it mattered most.

advertiser content