News

Virginia Gay Hospital’s Nursing and Rehab has once again achieved compliance ratings for Medicaid and Medicare through the Health Inspection division of Iowa Department of Inspections, the state organization conducting compliance inspections for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Passing the inspection for CMS is necessary for long term care facilities to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

 On Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at approximately 6:03 PM, Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies [BCSO] along with the Urbana Police Department, Urbana Fire Department and North Benton Ambulance Service were dispatched to a collision involving injuries on Highway 150 at Meadow View Drive in Urbana. Upon emergency personnel’s arrival, they found two vehicles had collided at that location.

Plans are underway for the annual initiative to recognize area students who have beaten the odds to succeed by graduating from high school while living in foster care, living on their own, or facing homelessness. Many of these students would not be able to celebrate their accomplishments without assistance. It is anticipated that Benton-Iowa Community Partnership for Protecting Children (CPPC) will help as many as fifteen graduates this year in Benton and Iowa counties with referrals coming from school counselors as well as staff from the Iowa Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Services.

 The Vinton Police Department has filed criminal charges against a Vinton woman regarding the ongoing abuse and neglect of a dependent adult.  Rachel Kay Bonar, age 41, previously served as guardian for a dependent adult between September 2001 andOctober 2019.  An investigation was initiated in February 2019 after Vinton Police were contacted by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

In March 2020, the Animal Learning Lab at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School celebrates its sixth anniversary. The lab provides V-S students with unique curriculum opportunities and stronger learning experiences in animal production and technology. It’s a valuable resource for students to learn more about where agricultural food sources begin and how they arrive in the store.

In Vinton Today's third participation in and conducting candidate forums, the special election for Vinton's 2nd was added to the list. The election has had a lot of attention because of the confusion surrounding the filling of the position. A group gathered at the library on Thursday evening to listen to the candidates.The three candidates, Leon Barber, Andrew Elwick and Kurt Karr were all invited to attend.

Blessed Hope Community Church is beginning to make a large "To-Do" list for the annual "Faith In Action." Faith in Action is planning their 5th Annual event and can use your help.The church compiles a list of projects throughout the area which include repair work inside and outside the home, painting, yard work, cleaning, helping shut-ins, taking the children of some of the helpers to visit area nursing homes etc.

The American Legion of Benton County has selected its, Fifth Grade Flag Essay winners.1st Place Loran Henkle  of Vinton2nd Place Paige Meyer of Blairstown3rd Place William Rousch of Van HorneClick on the links above to read the winning essays.Congratulation to our winners and thank you to the Ladies Auxiliary, for their help in selecting the winners.

The council met in regular session on Thursday evening, the 13th running through the usual list of approval of bills and minutes and other formalities. The Council held a general work session before the council meeting, which can be seen here.  In the Work Session, the council worked on wording for procedures for appointing board members. This session was requested by the Mayor following the VMEU appointment issues.

From Tilford Elementary. Students in the Kuhn and Parker classes were also thrilled to see Valentine's addressed to them this week! Aren't they just adorable???I will upload more pictures here...A special thanks to the wonderful folks that sent your photos in which bring a smile to all of our faces!