News Headlines

ACT I of Benton County is pleased to announce that we will be holding auditions for our upcoming musical production of Come From Away.  Auditions will be held on Sunday April 12th at 1PM and Monday April 13th at 6:30 PM.  Callbacks will be held on Tuesday April 14th at 6:30 PM if needed.  Auditions and callbacks will be held at the Palace Theatre at 210 W 4th St in Vinton.

On Saturday, April 11, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Troop 47 Boy Scout Troop will be holding their annual Can Drive Fundraiser. Until 3:00 p.m. you can drop your cans (and bottles) off behind in the alley behind Farmers Savings Bank and Trust. The fundraiser helps to fund the troop’s Campership Fund!If you need someone to stop at your home to collect call 319-329-2882.

Resolution #26-20ProclamationWHEREAS, Sexual assault affects women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds; andWHEREAS, in addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs, sexual assault may also have associated consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, depression, homelessness, eating disorders and suicide; andWHEREAS, sexual assault can be devastating not only to the survivor, but also for the family, friends and community of the survivor; andWHEREAS, since no one person, organization, agency, or community can eliminate sexual assault on their own, we must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, support survivors and their significant others, and support those agencies providing services to survivors.

The Iowa Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) recognized Vinton-Shellsburg's Coach, AJ Wygle as the Rising Coach of the Year for 2026. In a ceremony, he was recognized with a plaque that reads, " AJ Wygle, Vinton-Shellburg Hight School - 2026 Rising Coach of the Year - The IBCA recognizes coaches who demonstrate exceptional game knowledge, uphold the highest standards of conduct, and build meaningful relationships with players, parents and fellow coaches.

A former Vinton-Shellsburg preschool teacher is charged after police say she left bruises on a 4-year-old boy after an incident at the school.Kimberly Murray, 51 of Manchester, was charged after leaving bruises on a 4 year old boy after an incident at school  She was charged on December 15, 2025, with child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor and assault causing bodily injury or mental illness a serious misdemeanor.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District Board of Education has selected Jon Mendoza as the district’s next superintendent, pending board finalization. Mendoza is currently the principal of Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. Mendoza has also served as the principal at Crestview School of Inquiry Elementary School in West Des Moines.

🚧 Parking Lot Construction Notice 🚧Update - Delayed to April 6th due to weather!As we all know, the weather doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. Due to recent conditions, the parking lot construction project has been delayed.We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities. Thank you!During construction:The handicapped parking area and EXIT north of the water fountain will be closedA portion of the parking lot will be unavailableThe construction zone is highlighted in yellow on the attached mapFor patient and visitor access:The main parking lot (south of the water fountain) will remain openTemporary handicapped parking spaces will be available in designated areas (marked in blue on the map)We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make these important improvements.

If you have a question about basically anything that happens in the great outdoors, Pat Jorgensen of Vinton is probably the guy with the answers for you. Last week, he was recognized as MercyOne's Hero Among Us in the Environmental category. Pat has been a staple in the Vinton community for more than a quarter of a century. He recently retired after a career working for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Virginia Gay Hospital proudly announces it has achieved accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for its Sleep Program, earning this distinction with zero deficiencies.Accreditation is a rigorous process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Achieving accreditation with zero deficiencies reflects Virginia Gay Hospital’s unwavering dedication to excellence, patient safety, and high-quality care.

Community Input Requested: Therapy & Wellness ServicesVirginia Gay Hospital is gathering community feedback to explore expanding rehabilitation services in the Atkins area. Potential services include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and possible wellness or fitness options.Residents are invited to complete a brief, confidential survey to share their thoughts and needs.