News

LifeServe Blood Center, the sole provider of blood to more than 120 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, is seeking community members who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 antibodies to donate convalescent plasma to meet the dramatically rising plasma needs of local hospitals.As the number of daily COVID-19 cases in our region rises, so does the need for convalescent plasma (CCP) in local hospitals.

Vinton pulls out all the stops when it comes to supporting our own. Well, all of the stops that we can in the midst of shutdowns, COVID, quarantines, face masks and social distancing. The Vinton Fire Department held a fundraiser on Thursday night providing a chili supper to residents for a freewill donation. The town arrived to show their supp

Let your voice be heard! The City of Vinton and Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District (VSCSD) are asking you to participate in a survey regarding the possibility of a new Community Wellness Center in our community. Please take a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire.Your participation is very important. Your feedback will help determine wellness facilities, programming and open space priorities for our growing community.

Awards presented by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Department of Natural Resources to families embracing conservation practicesForty-two Iowa farmers have been [sel]ed to receive the 2020 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recognize these Iowa farm families for taking an active role in the state’s ongoing conservation efforts, which rely on farmers, landowners and businesses working together to make a difference.

COVID may have changed our chance to see the beautiful trees at Virginia Gay Hospital,  but it won’t stop Farmers Savings Bank and Trust from supporting the Tree of Light Campaign.Stop in Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to place a bid on a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, all proceeds will go directly to the hospital.

Angel Tree 2020 will begin accepting applications for Christmas assistance beginning November 2 and go through December 7. There are two ways to apply:IN PERSON AT:First Christian Church1209 W. 13th St. (next to Theisen’s on Hwy. 218)Monday – Friday, 9am-11:30amCALL:LaNette 319-521-1496 to schedule an appointmentWe are again looking for your help in finding us a building to HOST our program in…this allows us to store all our items until it is time to distribute all the gifts.

At last week's Vinton Kiwanis club meeting, Superintendent Kyle Koeppen spoke to the group. Sharing some of the demographics of the school he gave a presentation to the group. The school district is just about split evenly between male and female students he said. A number that has increased across the state and is true in Vinton is that about 40% of the students qualify for free student lunches.

Summary of Enhanced Public Health Measures Effective Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 12:01 a.m. until Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11:59 p.m. Mask Use: Indoor spaces open to the public & State executive branch buildings Masks required when individuals are WITHIN 6 FEET OF ONE ANOTHER FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER with certain exceptions Gathering Restrictions: Social, community, business, or leisure gatherings · No more than 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors · These restrictions apply to wedding receptions, family gatherings, conventions, and other nonessential gatherings but do not apply to gatherings that occur during the ordinary course of business or government Sporting and Recreational Events: Youth and adult group sporting and recreational gathering are prohibited except for high school, college, and professional sports High School Sports & Extracurriculars: Sporting, recreational, and extracurricular events · Only two spectators permitted for each high school athlete, performer or competitor, and must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators · Students can be closer than six feet and are not required to wear masks Restaurants and Bars: Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club · Closed to in-person services at 10:00pm · No bar seating · Masks required when not seated (while playing games, dancing, etc.

If you are like me, you might pull up at the curb in downtown Vinton. You get out and go about your business. You might observe the clean street and sidewalk, the displays in the store windows, or maybe some sales that are posted. The Cottage Garden Society of Vinton helped provide a touch of beauty to the downtown Vinton area. Members of the society donated their time and talent; with the help of the local FFA.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School was the location for the celebration of Veteran’s Day. With social distancing and masks worn the veterans appreciated the recognition of their service. The ceremony is usually held at the middle school with the complete student body in attendance, but this year it was limited to the high school. The day began with breakfast and followed with a drum cadence while students filed through the cafeteria, some holding signs thanking the veterans for their service as well as several small American flags.