News

On the evening of August 3, 2022, Deputies of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Agents of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrested thirty-four year old Samantha Faith Bevans of Palo, Iowa for the death of Jodie Bevans. On the morning of August 4, 2022, thirty-eight year old Tacoa Talley of North Liberty, Iowa was also arrested for the death of Bevans.

As you’ve likely either heard or read by now, the Senate finally passed a long-overdue bill for the expansion of Veteran’s health care resources and benefits as well as aiding Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins by adding additional presumptive conditions for disability compensation purposes. The Bill itself is an intimidating 150 pages of ackamarackus so allow me to cut to the chase and break down the really good stuff.

The Way We Live Award, sponsored by Pioneer, Iowa Farmer Today and the WHO BIG show, recognizes Iowa farm families who have demonstrated their dedication to agriculture and strong Iowa farm values. In 2022, The Way We Live Award, in its 14th year of recognizing outstanding farm families, will award six Iowa families who exemplify hard working farm values and a love for the occupation of farming.

Ann Cejka, talked to 20 guests at the Center Point Depot Museum July 31, about one-room schools in the hearts and happenings of our rural communities in the not-too-distant past.“We Iowans love our one-room schools,” she said. “We even put a picture of one on our State Quarter.”Ann is the Program Coordinator at Ushers Ferry Historic Village in Cedar Rapids.

Jeanette Henry-VFW Auxiliary President 2021-2022 has completed her one-year term as President of VFW Auxiliary of Iowa.  Throughout the year Jeanette attended Auxiliary meetings, District meetings, and Department conventions across Iowa.She drove over 35,000 miles throughout the State. She attended many other events, too. On June 2-5,2022 in Des Moines, Iowa she attended The VFW and VFW Auxiliary Department Convention.

Boomfest is right around the corner! If you are interested in being a vendor for the Annual Arts and Crafts Festival. The event is going to be held on August 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.Antiques, repurposed treasures, jewelry, arts, crafts and more!Contact Melody Snow at Vinton Unlimited 319-472-3955Email info@vintonia.org (or scan the QR code

Click here to watch the Shellsburg Library Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up musical.  Many thanks to Teresa Drtina for leading the Summer Reading Program and all the volunteers who gave their time to make this year's summer reading program such a success. Also, many thanks to the Shellsburg Legion and Shellsburg Lions and many others who supported this program for the kids in the community.

The final weekly winner for Vinton Unlimited’s You Light Up My July summer punch card incentive is Logan Wilson!  Logan won $50 in Vinton Value Dollars!  Congratulations Logan! Thank you to everyone who shopped locally and kept our community strong! Keep watching for the announcement of the winner of the Grand Prize!  Participating businesses include: Arnold Motor Supply, Cameron’s Clothing, Clipper Corner, Dollar Fresh, Echo Vision-US Cellular, Ervin Motor Company, Flowers by Nature’s Corner, Henkle Creek Mercantile, Koop’s Sales & Service, Kromminga Motors, LaGrange Pharmacy, McDowell’s Building Materials, Michael & Dowd Furniture & Appliance, New Beginning Salon, The Niche, Opal & Hazel’s Wood Fired Pizza, Theisen's, 3D Kitchens, Tootsies Ice Cream & More, Viking Plaza, & Viking Sewing Center.

Photo: Grant recipients gathered for the Benton County Community Foundation’s 2022 grant awards celebration on July 26 at the Van Horne Community Building where $134,426 in grant funding was awarded to 22 projects of organizations serving Benton County.The Benton County Community Foundation (BCCF) held its 2022 grant awards celebration at the Van Horne Community Building on July 26, announcing the distribution of $134,426 to 22 projects of organizations serving Benton County through its 2022 grant cycle.

I had a visit with Sheriff Tippett concerning Pit Bulls, Ordinances, and other chit-chat around dogs. Both of us grew up with parents that gave a dog a "one strike and your out" chance meaning, "one bite and you are out of here!" However, local ordinances allow dogs to bite a human TWICE in one calendar year before the owner has to get rid of the animal.