News

The Wesley Methodist Church food pantry has 107 registered households, sometimes serving 127 people a month. Last month the church served over 200 people! If you can help the pantry, they accept monetary or food donations by the case. Maybe you, your family, your group of friends, or your church  would like to donate for the upcoming holiday season.

The roundabout on Highway 150, at the Urbana corner is now open for business!Be cautious as you approach the corner, the speed limit is 20 mph on the roundabout. There are four exits off of the roundabout. There are exits for 31st Avenue, Urbana and of course Highway 150 North (to Independence) and Highway 150 South (to Vinton).Use caution as you approach the corner, as of Monday afternoon there were still workers in the area.

During Friday's Holiday Open House, Santa made his way to see the children at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust. Avery and Henry Halstead stopped to visit with Santa and tell him their requests for Christmas this year. Area residents were able to stop in and have a $3.00 donation made to the church of their choice and enter for a chance to win Vinton bucks.

Breck Coffland, Chapter ReporterThe Benton Community FFA participated in four CDEs (Career Development Events) this fall at various locations throughout the state of Iowa.In August, eight members went to Dyersville Beckman high school to compete at the District Meats Evaluation. Team Blue consisting of Breck Coffland, Noah Kaiser, Haddie Kroneman, and Elijah Kaiser received second place.

I've had the question posed to me a lot since summer. "When is the roundabout going to be done at the Urbana corner?" I've learned to explain that just because there's a date it doesn't necessarily mean that the road will be open. Lately, I've answered  with, "Two weeks ago."It all started in July 2020 when the state asked for input on a roundabout at the Urbana corner at the intersection of Iowa 150 with 31st Avenue and 55th Street in Benton County.

Have you ever said, “It's too cold out to ring the bell!?” We can move the kettle inside Fareway when that would be helpful! Call Julie at 319.329.7119 to sign up to help ring the bell!This last year we helped over nearly 100 separate Benton County families. Some examples of help include a person who needed some clothes to go to their first job interview since ending incarceration.

The Vinton Lions Club recent Chili supper raised funds to support Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Board President Dick Bell and Vinton native Roger Uthoff, Advisor to the Board were at the Wednesday meeting receiving a check for $3,900 from Vinton Lions President Scott Barron and Treasurer Dr. Alan Woodhouse. For the sacrifice and service they made for our freedom, the mission of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is to provide veterans with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit monuments and memorials built in their honor.

This past summer, seven Vinton-Shellsburg students donated over 80 hours of their time with the AMVET Food Trailer. Alan Fleming, Andrew Pingenot, Grace Schminke, Ryan Calous, Kaetlyn Pettyjohn, Gunner Schminke and Riley Kress all donated their time and effort. The AMVETS received many compliments for their work. Each student received a donation check for a school organization in their name.

Every Christmas some of our area businesses chip in to make the season merry and bright for a special group of citizens. Koop's Sales and Service and Arnold Motor Supply have been lending Santa a hand for several years. Their goal is to help area children have a brighter Christmas.If you're out shopping for Christmas gifts and can afford to add some extra toys for children up to age 16, you are invited to drop these gifts off at these area businesses.

On Thanksgiving night (11/24) around 8:10 pm, the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a police pursuit southbound from Watkins. A black Chevrolet pickup was being pursued by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office related to a criminal incident that had occurred in their county.The police chase entered Iowa County and led into downtown Main Amana on 220th Trail.