News Headlines

Vinton Lions Club one of largest increases in membership in Iowa

VINTON LIONS CLUB - January 22nd 2026 1:10 pm

Pictured left to right are: President Dan McCann, Sponsor Bret Nelson, New Members Gary Marlow and Louie Naniot and Lions Club Foundation Director Chris Waring, who performed the Installation ceremony.The Vinton Lions Club installed two new members on Wednesday, January 21st at the meeting heald at Pizza Ranch in downtown Vinton. During the ce

Life Threatening Cold to Arrive tonight

BENTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - January 22nd 2026 11:22 am

Dangerous arctic cold will arrive tonight and continue through Friday morning. Wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero can be expected south of I-80. North of I-80 wind chills of 30 to 40 below zero are expected. ● The Extreme Cold Watch continues Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. There is a 50% probability of a Cold Weather Advisory Friday night into Saturday.

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Shellsburg to add Music Garden

SHELLSBURG AREA COMMUNITY GROUP (SACG) - January 22nd 2026 5:02 am

The first of the additional instruments for the upcoming Kid's Music Garden has been sponsored. Many thanks to Cranky Hank's Pizza for sponsoring the Single Drum Table. There's room for another single drum, as well as the other two instruments shown. Who's next?As many of you may have seen the Shellsburg Area Community Group has succeeded in receiving a grant for some park improvements.

Dangerous Cold moving into the area

BENTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - January 21st 2026 11:23 am

● Snow showers this afternoon and evening. Strong winds gusting up to 45 mph will result in drifting and blowing snow as well as reduced visibility.---There is a 30-40% chance of snow squalls this afternoon and evening.● A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow has been issued north of Highway 30. South of Highway 30 a Wind Advisory has been issued.

Vinton’s Big Read announces Art Contest Winners

VINTON GUILD OF FINE ARTS - January 20th 2026 5:29 pm

Article Thumbnail. Popular Vote: “Art for the Endangered” by Amanda Stewart

The Big Read Community Art Contest concluded on Saturday, with a reception at the Vinton Public Library to announce the winners and congratulate everyone who participated. VGFA received 41 submissions of original artwork related to the themes in the book, Bewilderment, by Richard Powers, the focus of the Vinton Public Library's Big Read program this year.

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S&J Sanitation Change of Schedule for Friday, January 23

CITY OF VINTON - January 20th 2026 9:56 am

Due to predicted frigid temperatures, S&J Sanitation curbside trash & recycling pickup scheduled for Friday, January 23 will be MOVED to Thursday, January 22.

David Zollo & Brian Cooper February 15th!

FARMERS MERCANTILE HALL - January 20th 2026 9:10 am

David Zollo has long been producing some of the finest roots music to come out of the state of Iowa. Brian Cooper will be joining him on drums for this show. This description of his newest release, “For Hire,” says it all:“The long-awaited new release from Iowa City singer/songwriter/bandleader, features 9 new tracks that use gospel, soul, blues and rock and roll to explore how his personal demons took the artist to the edge, and how he fought his way back.

VGH thanks Tree of Lights: Annual Campaign Donors

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - January 19th 2026 11:46 am

Tree of Lights Purchases: 2025We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by our community for the 2025 Tree of Lights Campaign. The 2025 Tree of Lights contributions provided VGH Hospital and Clinics healthcare professionals with technology and equipment designed to improve patient recovery, lessen hospital stays, and increase overall staff efficiency.

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Be Weather Aware Sunday Night into Monday

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - January 18th 2026 6:50 pm

Stay safe tonight and into tomorrow!Key Messages ●Cold Weather Advisory area-wide tonight through Monday morning ●Falling temperatures tonight will combine with gusty northwest winds of 30-40 mph, with a few higher gusts, yielding dangerous wind chills as low as -15° to -20° south to -25° to -30° north. ●With the winds and fluffy nature of snow on the ground in northern locations, shallow blowing and drifting snow is probable.

Oopsie Daisy

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - January 17th 2026 2:08 pm

Friday, around noon, on the list of things to do, was to stop in at the bank. A customer pulled into the parking space of Farmers Savings Bank & Trust before accidentally creating a new drive up window situation on the west side of the building.It appears that the driver accidentally hit the gas rather than the brake while preparing to park. The vehicle took out one of the light poles on its way to the building, jumped a curb and and the retaining wall, before striking the building and taking out the window.

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