News

In less than a year, 22-year-old Nathaniel James Taylor of Vinton was charged a second time for the following three charges as the result of acts of a sexual nature:-dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, a serious misdemeanor (September 12, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-Sex abuse 3rd Degree - Child Victim - Person 4 or more years older 1st offense a Class C Felony (September 13, 2021 and July 13, 2022)-minor - cause to engage in act Class C Felony  (September 22, 2021 and July 13, 2022)The latest charges were filed by the Vinton Police Department with Taylor being arrested on July 13, 2022.

Following the accident of a 13-year-old member of the Lil Race Car Club there is an effort to collect bicycle helmets for the membership this Sunday night, July 24. The 13-year-old crashed an electric scooter resulting in a skull fracture and emergency surgery which included 2 plates and 15 staples in their head. He is now recovering. Shadoe Vogt is organizing this event.

Vinton Unlimited held their Annual 2-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament last Friday at the Vinton Country Club. The event was open to anyone who wanted to participate.  A total of 66 golfers teamed up for this fun event which was the maximum number that could participate.Each of the Vinton Country Club’s nine holes were sponsored by local businesses that spiced up the course with a mishmash of fun and entertaining games and prizes.

The Benton County Speedway Bullring Lil Racer Car Club is seeking donations of new school supplies and filled or unfilled school-themed backpacks that we will hand out to kids 14 and under who pick up a ticket from the Lil Racer Clubhouse on the night of August 7. Gates open at 4 with racing set to begin with hot laps and exciting racing action a couple of hours later.

Summer is in full swing and there are many things that make Iowa summers so great. From hitting the trails to cooling off at the public pool to attending farmers markets, county fairs and other events – there is no shortage of things to do. Even in smaller, more rural communities across the state, there is a desire to offer opportunities that bring people together and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

By Brian LarkinNearly 40 Special Olympians and their Unified partners competed at the Vinton Skate and Activity Center as part of the 2022 Special Olympics Iowa Unified Golf Tour.  Teams traveled from Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Vinton, and Anamosa to enjoy a perfect day on the mini links. The course was in perfect shape thanks to VPRD. Teams included Goodwill of Waterloo, Discovery Living from Cedar Rapids, Jones County and the Cedar Valley Ranch and VSU from Vinton.

Shellsburg's Big Day events are happening all today Saturday, July 16. Starting with a 5K race through town, the residents were all smiles as the day kicked off. A parade with all of the area fire and rescue vehicles, the Vinton-Shellsburg band and all the politicians and area businesses were out to join the parade. The day will wind up tonight with fireworks and fun in the park.

Whitetail deer, well, we've all seen those. But I've never before seen a white-tail squirrel! Maybe they aren't new in the area, but I don't ever recall seeing or hearing about one. The rodent has a bushy, white tail and was spotted by Charlie Frazier in the southwest corner of Vinton.Pat Jorgensen with the Department of Natural Resources, said that, "they are not very common and they are not considered Albino.

Papa Balloon leads a community roomful of enthusiastic young balloon dog makers at the Center Point Library Summer Reading Program July 12. His program and a hot dog lunch after were sponsored by the Friends of the Center Point Library. More than 100 kids and their adults participated.Papa Balloon, Mark Garvey, and his wife Sue are Summer Reading Program favorites and now come all the way from Geneva, Illinois to keep the tradition going.

With the volunteer help of the Library Board the library will be opening a few hours each day beginning next week. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday it will be open from 2-6:00 p.m.Basic services will be available, however, the interlibrary book service will be on hold. Tuesday, July 19 a couple of volunteers will hold story time at Kiwanis Park for those interested, see the flyer for details.