News

This afternoon Vinton-Shellsburg School District was notified by the public health department that a person at the High School and a person at Tilford Elementary have tested positive for COVID-19. We are in contact with the Benton County Department of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our students and staff.The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school for at least 14 days.

Mahailah Cruzen, age 13, of Keystone was killed in an ATV accident on Sunday evening. According to the State Patrol's report. The accident occurred at the intersection of 70th St. and 13th Ave. The ATV had left the gravel road to enter the highway. The 14 year old driver of the ATV, was traveling southbound on 13th Ave. when a 2003 Chevy Silverado approached the intersection eastbound on 70th St.

The Benton County Supervisors decided to continue a partial lockdown of the courthouse until October 6, when they will again discuss the issue. The Recorder and Auditor are open for walk ins, other offices require appointments.According to the Iowa Coronavirus website, there is good news for Benton County.The population of Benton County is 25,645.

Sunday evening, at approximately 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of 70th St. and 13th Ave. a 2005 Polaris ATV was traveling southbound on 13th Ave. when a 2003 Chevy Silverado approached the intersection eastbound on 70th St. The driver of the Polaris failed to stop at the intersection striking the Silverado. The accident remains under investigation.

Nancy Beckman a representative of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School Mary Ingalls Society, spoke at the ceremony transferring ownership of the Braille School from the Board of Regents to the City of Vinton. Vinton in turn has turned the property over to Hobart Historic Restoration of Cedar Rapids to repurpose.The society hopes to be able to continue to have a place to share the history of the magnificent structure but is unsure of the future plans for the IBSSS Mary Ingalls Society.

For the last several years the Shellsburg American Legion marks the first day of school by raising a new flag the elementary school in Shellsburg. Dave Travis, Bud Yoe, Ed Shaeffer, Garth Gardemann, Ace Husted and honorary bugler, Don "Snip" Wilson all participated.  Normally the Legion will lower last year's flag and raise a new one. This year due to the derecho, the school lost their flag pole.

Do you own a surveillance camera that records video footage and want to help the police solve crime?  Register your home or business surveillance camera with the Vinton Police Department.  The information will help police contact you quickly to identify criminals in your neighborhood.  Registration is entirely voluntary and all personal information gathered is for official use only and will not be released to any member of the general public.

Photo Captions: The Spurgeon Family post with Gordon who was recognized as a Century Farms member. Pictured next to him are his daughters Cathy and Carol, and Stephan is on the right in the white shirt, carrying on the family tradition. Other members of the family were present for the special recognition.---The family farm in 1971 and in 1982---Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig along with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill made a stop in Vinton on Tuesday, September 1, to present two Century Farm awards and one Heritage Farm award to families who have kept their farms in the family for at least 100 and 150 years respectively.

The first day of school for many of the children took place on Tuesday, for Kindergarten and on Wednesday for preschoolers. For the first time in 5 months, children gathered at the local schools and made their way to their classrooms. Teachers were eager to get back to work, in a normal way and the children lined up outside, were obviously ready to be back as well.

For Deputy Sheriff and officer with Belle Plaine Jeff Harnish, it was just another day at work. Except on this day, August 10th. It won't be one he will be forgetting. He had just finished a stop on Highway 30 when he noticed the wind was picking up. He searched for a place to find some shelter. Pulling in across the road from a stand of trees which also sheltered a pig barn and silo, he saw a straight truck had also pulled over to escape the wind as well.