News
McDonald's suffers from Fire incident
Updated: McDonald’s is now open for business.The Vinton Fire Department responded to a fire at the McDonald's restaurant on Sunday evening. It was reported that there was a fire in the freezer area of the restaurant. The fire was contained sparing the rest of the building. The restaurant will be closed until repairs are made.Photo Darre Trees for Shellsburg Parks
After the derecho donations were made to the Shellsburg Area Community Group for storm recovery. After consultation with city officials it was decided the money could best be spent on trees. Following this decision, SACG learned about a grant opportunity for purchasing trees and filed an application.
National 911 Education & National Public Safety Telecommunicators April 2021
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) is joining national public safety leaders in recognizing April 2021 as National 911 Education Month to promote 911 awareness and proper usage.National 911 Education Month is a campaign to help Americans of all ages recognize the importance of calling or texting 911 and the role they play in ensuring effective and efficient emergency response in times of crisis.
Garage Church welcomes Vinton Residents
A group of about 50 people gathered last Sunday to share in worship in a family garage in Vinton. Many of them have been meeting since February with various numbers. The congregation is composed of all ages from young children and families to grandparents. Because of the location, “Garage Church" seems to stick. The group streams a church service over a TV in the garage, sings and jams out to worship music, listens to a sermon and takes communion together. Vinton-Shellsburg Students Receive National Recognition for their Kindness
In a letter addressed to the Vinton Shellsburg School Senate, the group was recognized in part by the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) Smith-Geater Auxiliary Post #8884 as well as the National President of the VFW for their work on behalf of veterans."Dear Vinton Shellsburg High School Student Senate:On behalf of nearly a half million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary, I want to thank you for your efforts to support our veterans and their families. Farm Bureau to match donations to Disaster Recovery Coalition
The Benton County Farm Bureau board of directors have approved to match donations made by its members up to $1,000 to the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition. A fund has been established at the Farm Bureau office in Vinton. Members wishing to donate, and have their donation matched by the Benton County Farm Bureau, should mail, or drop off their donation to the Farm Bureau office at 1105 W 9th Street Vinton, IA 52349. VFW Smith-Geater Post #8884 receives $2,500 H.O.T. Grant
VFW Smith-Geater Auxiliary Post #8884 received a boost in their efforts to make improvements to their post. The group is making improvements to their new location at the old animal shelter located on the county home road south of Vinton.Vinton Unlimited made a check presentation of $2,500 from the Hotel Option Tax fund. They plan to use the money to install insulation, a freezer and refrigerator and other improvements to the building. FFA Labor Auction
By Josh Wiley, Co-ReporterAt 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 8th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter will be holding their annual labor auction in the high school gymnasium. Members of the chapter will be voluntarily “auctioned off” to complete 8 hours of work for the highest bidder that purchased them. The buyer may put the member to work in a variety of activities but, common areas of work include babysitting, garden work, working livestock, chores, walking beans, fence building, as well as working at food stands at local county fairs and other events.
COMMUNITY CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS MEETING HELD FOR BENTON AND TAMA COUNTIES
Childcare is not just an issue for parents. In fact, Governor Reynolds recently created a Child Care Task Force to address the child care shortage and barrier to work, after the Governor's Economic Recovery Advisory Board identified child care as the number one issue for the state’s economic recovery.A recent study by the US Chamber of Commerce found that Iowa misses an estimated $935 million annually for the state’s economy.
Local born Correction Officer dies in attack at Anamosa Prison
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021 around 10:15 a.m. multiple Anamosa State penitentiary employees were assaulted by inmates including an officer with local connections."The initial investigation found that our beloved son, brother, husband and father Robert (Bob) McFarland and his beloved fellow employee Registered nurse Lorena Schulte were injured while attempting to stop the escape attempt of two inmates.