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Last year in December of 2019, Loren Henkle a 5th grader, entered the flag essay contest with the Vinton America Legion Unit 57. Placing first place, his entry went on to compete at the District level. The family just received word from the 3rd District of the Iowa American Legion’s Flag Essay Chairman Doug Anderson, informing them that Loren has won 2nd place in the district, In his letter, Chairman Doug Anderson said of Henkle's essay, "I have been our district's flag essay chairman for five years now and I wanted to let you know that your essay was one of the best essays that I have read in those five years.

A sad realization of the COVID pandemic has hit one of Vinton’s fine health facilities for the elderly. Keep this facility, staff, residents and especially this family in prayer as they struggle to care for each other during this crisis. 

Trick or treaters came to the courthouse lawn to play games before lining up downtown for the annual trip to the area stores. One candy dispenser took top prize for the uniqueness. With a candy shoot serving candy from 6 foot away, children were able to place their buckets at the end of the spout to receive their candy. The creation put a smile on a lot of faces this year.

Thursday night class at Vinton Ving Tsun Kung Fu Club brought out the superheroes!  

 On Thursday, the Iowa Democrats stopped in Vinton at the Kirkwood Center with the Early Vote Express on a multi-stop, statewide bus tour making its way Iowa until Election Day. The workers on the bus aimed to lay out the clear choice in this election and encouraged Iowans to make a plan to vote early.The Early Vote Express made a stop at college campuses, libraries, and other satellite voting locations throughout the state and distributed voter education materials and discussed the importance of electing Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Theresa Greenfield, and Democrats up and down the ballot this fall.

Owner-occupied home repairs and [upd]s targeted at the older populationCedar Valley Habitat for Humanity has received funds from the Benton County Community Foundation to assist with repairs and [upd]s to homes in Benton County. The program, called “Aging in Place,” is intended to help people over 60 and adults with disabilities extend the time they can remain in the homes they own.

Thursday morning and into the early afternoon, students from Tilford Elementary went for a short walk to the Vinton Lutheran Home. Dressed in their Halloween costumes, the students made their way to the center to brighten the day of the residents. Sharing the Halloween festivities, the students formed a parade and walked around the building stopping to wave at each of the windows to the residents smiling faces.

At Tuesday's Kiwanis Club meeting, Scott Hansen of Benton County Emergency Management spoke to the club concerning his role and how the closing of the Duane Arnold Energy Center will affect the budget. The program is overseen by Hansen who answers, he said to 16 bosses. Those bosses include every mayor in the county, the Sheriff and one member of the board of supervisors make up the commission that oversees the program, all elected officials.

Legion members and Scouts honored worn flags with a solemn retirement ceremony on Wednesday night.Since 1937, the American Legion has helped honor worn American flags with a solemn disposal-by-burning ceremony.On Wednesday, members of the Vinton American Legion, retired dozens of worn flags by burning them, after reciting the ceremony approved by the Legion 79 years ago.

Have you heard the stories about finding things stashed in the walls of a house only to be found during the remodeling by a new owner? Or owners removing the wallpaper to discover signatures or the date of the installation of the old paper? One area family had heard stories about how the previous owner of their house liked to play golf, in the house.