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RESOLUTION #25-20PROCLAMATIONWHEREAS, 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 Pork Producers Association (IPPA) was honored with a Leadership in Community Award from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig at the 13th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner. This recognition celebrates the Bacon Buddies® program, a groundbreaking initiative created by IPPA in partnership with Special Olympics Iowa.Bacon Buddies embodies Iowa pig farmers’ commitment to the We Care principles, particularly their dedication to supporting local communities.

Contest winners will be honored at the 2025 Iowa State Fair and will have their artwork published in a popular coloring calendarIowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting school-aged Iowa students to participate in the 2025 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest. Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, raised and made food, beverages and ag products and it is a marketing initiative of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

A second person has been charged in connection with an alleged check forgery operation that spanned multiple communities across eastern Iowa.According to a criminal complaint, 35-year-old Deavin Baker of Georgia, along with several alleged co-conspirators, used stolen bank account information in July 2023 to produce forged checks.The group is accused of recruiting individuals from local shelters and community food pantries—offering them $150 per day—to cash the fake checks at banks located in Iowa City, Nichols, Lone Tree, Coralville, North Liberty, La Porte City, and Vinton.

 By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerThursday,  March 27th was the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapters annual Volunteer Auction. 35 high school FFA members and 2 advisors signed up to be auctioned off by Sam Finnegan to volunteers within the community. At the Volunteer Auction, FFA members volunteer 8 hours of community service to do various tasks like concession, garden work, working livestock, chores, fence building, as well as working at food stands at local county fairs and other events.

This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are closing out the month by hosting a webinar to highlight our Safe at Home program that serves survivors of sexual assault and other crimes. Join us on Wednesday, April 30, at 11:30 AM for our free webinar. Safe at Home address confidentiality program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and assault.

Three towns in Benton County were recognized at the Urban Forestry Awards luncheon which recognizes cities, college campuses and utilities that demonstrate a variety of dedication to the importance of trees in their respective communities.Awards were presented April 3rd at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Attention Vinton area residents! American Legion Post 57 is launching the "Avenue of Flags."Please consider taking part in Avenue of Flags as a way to display your pride in our nation, our community, and our freedoms, and to reflect on and celebrate our Veterans. What is it? Members of the American Legion, George G. Luckey Post 57 will be placing a full-sized American Flag on a 10-foot pole in your yard for one week for each of the following holidays: Memorial DayFourth of JulyFlag DayLabor DayVeteran's DayThe legion will retrieve and store the flags for this project.

Friends of the Center Point Library hosted a Dr. Seuss-themed party on March 29. The Library welcomed The Cat (minus the hat and all the shenanigans). Approximately 15 children attended the event and spent the afternoon involved in Seussian-themed activities. Games included Seuss Bingo, Fishing for Red Fish, Blue Fish and Hopping on Pop. (No Pops were harmed in the fun making, instead a mini trampoline was substituted.

We are hosting our first Iowa Notary Public Learning Conference on September 12, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This seminar will consist of four courses that cover the basics of a notary’s responsibilities, situations to look out for, and real-life circumstances that notaries may not see every day but should be aware of. Speakers from our office and a special guest from the National Notary Association will be presenting the materials.