News -

Nominations open for Iowa Character Awards

By Vinton Today · April 22nd, 2019

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, we have recognized more than 100 Iowans for showing good character, including:* Youth* Adult* Educator* School* Business/Organization* Sports teamsGet started on your nomination form today at www.

Area Food Pantry seeking Paper Products for the Month of May

By Vinton Today · April 22nd, 2019

On the 3rd Saturday of every month, group of volunteers gather at Wesley United Methodist Church (the church by the Library) and work to provide food and household goods to over 55 people every month. The volunteer work begins on Thursday when 1 volunteer stops at a HACAP location to pick up food and another volunteer gets it to the church.

The case of John Albert Rose, Benton County Cold Case

By Valerie Close, Editor · April 21st, 2019

On April 21, 1978, John Albert Rose, four days after his 35th birthday, John Albert Rose was shot in the head in Benton County, Iowa, while visiting with Black Hawk County ex-cons. Investigators said he was beaten, executed, and then dumped in a Benton County ditch three miles north of Vinton in east-central Iowa.

Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt brings the fun for the young and the old

By Valerie Close, Editor · April 21st, 2019

The fastest 5 minutes of picture taking can be found at the annual Easter Egg hunt! 3,000+ eggs picked up and emptied out in record time!The Easter Bunny was also there to take pictures with the children before and after the hunt.Also entertaining the children was Tom Pingenot with the gigantic bubbles that he was able to createwith a couple of poles and some rope, and a giant bucket of bubble solution.

Local FFA Chapter Attends State Leadership Conference Receives Gold Ranking

By Wyatt Forsyth, VS FFA Agricultural Ed · April 19th, 2019

23 Vinton-Shellsburg FFA students attended the State Leadership Conference.The group was involved in a total of 6 contests, 4 awards, 2 state band members, 3 Iowa Degrees, 2 hands-on tours, hosted a dinner with the National FFA President from California Luke O'Leary, and 1 proficiency award member:(Placing is scored as Top 5, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Participation)Extemporaneous Speaking received a Silver:Isaac Wiley Chapter Display received a Gold:Shelby McDonaldEric HenkleMorgan WhiteJordan CantrellFranki EvansIsaac WileyBlake WitzelBio-Tech...

Students present 2019 Award winning Speech and Drama Entries

By Valerie Close, Editor · April 18th, 2019

The Palace was the place to be if you missed the Speech and Drama presentations by the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Students.Part of the contests involved preparing a TV News show, using an actual script from the news. Performing in that category were Nolan Haisman, Alex Pladsen, Colston Neilson, Sarah Schminke, Makayla Moeller, Sarah Schminke, Grace Horst.

City of Shellsburg receives $100,000 grant at 3rd Iowa Rural Development Summit

By Vinton Today · April 18th, 2019

A delegation from Benton County attended the 3rd Annual Iowa Rural Development Summit in Grinnell on April 10th and 12th. Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg were on hand for the Iowa Economic Development Agency’s Community Catalyst Awards.Shellsburg received a grant of $100,000 for renovation and redevelopment of the former State Bank building in the middle of Pearl Street on the west side.

Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church to say Farewell to Rev. & Mrs. Mark Urlaub

By Valerie Close, Editor · April 16th, 2019

The HistoryThe choice to step into the ministry may not have been as hard for Pastor Mark Urlaub as it might have been for others. Following in the footsteps of not only his father but also his grandfather, Urlaub prepared to serve in the ministry. He graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 1980 and continued on to serve in the Lutheran church.

Tilford Elementary hosts the 3rd Grade Spring Concert

By Valerie Close, Editor · April 16th, 2019

Another enjoyable evening in Tilford Elementary's auditorium listening to the 3rd grade classes of Mrs. Karr, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Hyland and Mrs. Rodman under the direction of Mrs. Jodi Bierschenk and Mr, Gib Ziemer. Tonight I tried something different. Here's a recording of the first concert which you can watch via Faceook.

Iowa Depart. of Homeland Security & Emergency Management recognize Dispatchers

By Vinton Today · April 16th, 2019

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) is recognizing April 14-20, 2019, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Blake DeRouchey, manager of Iowa's 911 program, explained that telecommunications professionals are the backbone of the 911 system and critical to ensuring the safety of our communities and our citizens.