Scheduling for VITA, a free tax preparation program, now available United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI) will be offering its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the 12th year in 2026.

Calling all veterans! You are invited to share your stories as part of a community oral history project. Our library is pleased to partner with Vinton Shellsburg Community Schools; email kellysteffen@govikes.

The City of Vinton congratulated City Administrator Chris Ward for completing his 25th year of service. Ward was recognized by the ICMA (International City/County Management Association) for serving local governments in Tampa, Florida, as part of a ceremony recognizing others who have served from across the country.

January Difference Maker Recognition:  The Vinton Shellsburg Community School District Board proudly recognized  Dan Thomsen  as the January Difference Maker.

The Benton County Board of Supervisors will be accepting sealed bids for the sale of county-owned property located in Benton County, Iowa, referred to as the “Animal Shelter” and is described as follows:One acre in the Southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter (SW ¼) of the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼), all in the West Half (W ½) of the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼) of Section Twenty-Two (22), Township Eighty-Five (85) North, Range Ten (10) West of the 5th P.

Hello everyone! I'm Raine Wheeler from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter. I'm currently working on an agriscience fair project that is focused on farmers' mental health.

[3:30 P.M. Sunday, January 25, 2026]The cold pattern will continue through this week and that means through the end of the month. The coldest over the next few days is tonight through Monday morning, when a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect.

On Friday night at approximately 8:45 pm, the Brandon Fire Department was dispatched to the 1000 block of 325th St. for a report of a power outage out and smoke filling a home.

The Benton County Community Foundation (BCCF)  would like to announce the distribution of  $151,165  to  17  projects of organizations serving Benton County through its 2025  grant cycle.

At -11 ° and windchills much lower than that, a flock of robins made a visit to the same area of the county that had photos of the snow rollers. Of c