News

Meeting to focus on college’s workforce and training efforts in Benton County Kirkwood Community College will hold the next meeting of the institution’s Benton County Leadership Council on May 15, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Kirkwood's Benton County Center in Vinton. Kirkwood President Kristie Fisher, college officials, local community leaders and members of the general public are all expected to be in attendance.

NORTHEASTCedar River (above Nashua)Backwaters still have some ice, but main channel has little ice, especially weak around the edges.  Use caution. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow in backwater areas with no current. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm under a bobber a few inches off the bottom.

New look, same trusted source! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our completely redesigned website. After months of careful planning and development, the new sos.iowa.gov delivers the essential services you depend on with enhanced usability and modern design. Explicitly built with Iowans in mind, our revamped site offers a smoother, more intuitive experience for accessing business filing documents, election information, and other vital resources.

Would you like to recognize a veteran in your life with a banner displayed proudly on downtown light poles? Now’s your chance! Banners will be hung from June-August. These banners serve as a tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country.How to order- Fill out a form and bring it to the Vinton Recreation Center with payment. (Cash or Check) Cost: $200Deadline: May 6th, 2025Click the link below for the form and more information.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerVinton-Shellsburg FFA Week 2025 was packed with exciting events for everyone to enjoy before, during, and after school. The week kicked off on Monday, February 17, with America Monday, where students were encouraged to wear red, white, and blue. During Advisor, there was "Animal" Yoga, and in the evening, the annual Family Reunion Dinner & Fundraiser took place at Pizza Ranch starting at 4:30 P.

Vinton Shellsburg Community School's classes were canceled today due to the weather. BHCC Student Ministries, Youth Group will also be canceled. The policy of BHCC student ministries is to follow the Vinton/Shellsburg school calendar for weather-related early-outs and/or cancellations. Unfortunately with winter weather canceling school today, youth group will also be canceled tonight.

In like a lion, is the old saying...and we have an incoming storm. When it finishes raining at 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, expect that rain to turn to snow from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Look for winds between 50 and 60 miles per hour. Add in 1-3" of snow and there will be low visibility conditions. Travelling will be hazardous with whiteout conditions.

With a steady line of folks, for most of the morning, the Vinton Kiwanis served 430 hungry folks on Saturday morning. The Vinton Kiwanis organization is responsible for several projects in Vinton. They use fundraisers like their pancake breakfast to help support their activities. Proceeds from fundraisers throughout the year go to various communi

Keep Iowa Beautiful is calling on Iowans to help achieve our statewide goal of 2,500 volunteers to clean up litter across the state this spring. Iowans are invited to host a 2025 Pick-Up Iowa event in their communities. Pick-Up Iowa will run from April 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2025.Pick-Up Iowa, a Keep Iowa Beautiful program, promotes focused efforts to clean up trash along Iowa’s roadsides, neighborhoods, streets, school grounds, parks, forests, and streams.

Belle Plaine residents reported on Friday morning shortly after 6:00 a.m. that in the northwest side of the town, that there was a heavy law enforcement presence. This was followed by what residents assumed was a "flash bag" or a loud boom near a residence in the area of 5th Ave. The Belle Plaine Police Department shared the following press release:Belle Plaine Police Department released the following on Friday: On February 25, 2025, a report was received that William Atkinson, 31, of Belle Plaine had made threats towards a financial company.