Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Shellsburg Man Enters Guilty Plea

Huston William Danker, 26, entered a guilty plea to first degree murder in connection to the death of Ryan Cooper. Cooper was a resident of Traer in 2021 when he was killed.
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Students go into summer with something to read

Vinton-Shellsburg fourth graders were the grateful recipients of books for their summer reading pleasure. An incredible collection was donated last week to help them leap into summer reading! John Arnold, brother of former Vinton-Shellsburg reading teacher Steve Arnold, desired to donate the books, as it had always been Steve’s goal for all students to be lifelong readers.
Article Thumbnail. We played Hatching BINGO for our last lesson as a review of everything the students learned over the past four weeks!

Kindergarten students hatched chicks!

Farm Bureau partnered with ISU Extension & Outreach to offer a unique, up-close experience to kindergarten classrooms in Benton County! Tilford and Keystone Elementary were our first participating schools and we are so thankful they welcomed us into their classrooms for this program! The program ran for four weeks and included weekly classroom lessons that allowed students to explore the poultry industry and identify the basic needs of a growing chick.

Iowa Auditor's Election Training Program Receives National Clearinghouse Award

One of 32 Programs Honored by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for Innovation, Sustainability and Replicability The Iowa State Association of County Auditors (ISACA) announced it was recognized for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award for Outstanding Election Official State Association Program.
Article Thumbnail. Water in Belle Plaine has looked like this prior to the much needed rain.  Photos by Whittney Stoddard

Belle Plaine water has been as clear as mud

Due to the drought conditions, the City of Belle Plaine has been under water restrictions for the last month or so. Because of the look and smell of the water, citizens had been restricting its use even more.
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Secretary Pate joins election security partners for Iowa's 2024 Primary

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and state and federal election security partners convened at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Operation Center to assure voters they are prepared to ensure Iowa’s election integrity throughout the upcoming 2024 Primary Election.

Family Swim Night

I am sure you have heard; it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a community to protect a child. This is about creating that community within Benton and Iowa County for the protection of children.