News
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - June 19th, 2025 3:23 pm

UPDATED:A quick note that confidence has increased in heat this weekend and as such we have issued an Extreme Heat Watch for that period for all of eastern Iowa and Rock Island and Mercer Counties in Illinois. If trends continue, some heat headlines will likely be issued for the rest of the area. There are signals this heat may also continue into Monday and possibly Tuesday.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - June 19th, 2025 2:36 pm

A Belle Plaine pharmacist was convicted of diverting oxycodone for his personal use and replacing the opioids with an over-the- counter pain reliever.Thomas Kelly, 55, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with four counts;In counts 1 and 2 he was charged with Prohibited Act - SCH I, II, or III Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony. Counts 3 and 4 were charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug a Serious Misdemeanor.
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VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - June 18th, 2025 11:34 am
Due to the federal holiday, there will be no outbound email on Thursday, June 19.If there is any urgent news, or time-sensitive news, it will be posted on the website and an email will go out. The story will then be shared on the Vinton Today Facebook page. Click HERE to follow!
VINTON TODAY - June 18th, 2025 8:30 am

Last summer, a Vinton Shellsburg graduate with the class of 2025 and an Eagle Scout, Brody Waters contributed a Gaga Ball Pit to the Shellsburg City Park. This summer the Shellsburg Area Community Group responded to feedback from youth using the new gaga ball pit in City Park. There was a need for a floor covering for the cement floor. The group with the approval of the City of Shellsburg, was able to cover the floor with a no maintenance rubber surface product.
BENTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU - June 17th, 2025 3:56 pm

Benton County Farm Bureau is proud to be a gold sponsor of the rodeo at the Benton County Fair this year. The Board of Directors is always looking for a way to give back to the community and this was the perfect opportunity. Benton County Farm Bureau hopes their sponsorship allows friends and family to get together to enjoy this great event!
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FFA - June 17th, 2025 8:55 am

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn Tuesday, June 10th and Thursday, June 12th, 2025, members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter led two exciting Creative Kids FFA Days, bringing agriculture education to local elementary students through fun, hands-on learning experiences. The first day took place at Tilford Elementary, where FFA members set up a variety of interactive stations to teach students about topics like rabbits, farm equipment, and cuts of meat.
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - June 17th, 2025 8:54 am

Bicyclists are not easy to spot – especially youth riders. The average youth bike height is four feet and length is only 20-24” often making their little outlines invisible against a backdrop of intersections, vehicles, trees, and structures. That’s why we should steer our nice toward looking twice during bike season. Young riders are even harder to see if they ride in your blind spot and don’t wear bright clothing or helmets.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - June 13th, 2025 12:09 pm
A Chicago‑area man who acted as a money launderer for a Mexico‑based drug trafficking organization was sentenced June 11, 2025 to nearly five years in federal prison. Jose Eladio Medina Valenzuela, age 45, from Cicero, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 6, 2025 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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FFA - June 13th, 2025 12:08 pm

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn Friday, June 7th, 2025, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA officer team attended COLT (Chapter Officer Leadership Training) at Hawkeye Community College. This annual event brought together FFA chapter officers from across the Northeast District to build leadership skills, connect with one another, and prepare for the year ahead.
VINTON TODAY - June 12th, 2025 5:42 pm

By: Co-Reporter, Bri DulinOn Saturday, June 7th, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members helped to clean up cans after the Hairball concert in Vinton. Thank you to H2 Pizza for providing pizza to eat prior and Brian Halstead for taking the cans to redemption after the clean up!
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