Memorial Day and the traditional beginning of summer are quickly approaching.  Unfortunately, with the increase in summer traffic we will also see a rise in traffic crashes and fatalities.

Due to extremely harsh winter weather, deep ground freeze and unseasonably cool spring temperatures, upon filling of the swimming pool for opening this season we have encountered some critical failures of vital pool parts that will force us to delay the opening of the 2019 pool season.

The Vinton Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated project began in 1985.Jane LaGrange was one of the driving forces of the food pantry. She first became involved in 1987 when she was asked to help store food for the Benton County Food Pantry.

Vinton’s Sesquicentennial is quickly approaching! We have been working on this celebration for quite some time and we are entering the home stretch.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Retirees and Award Winners were honored at a public reception on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Vinton Skate Center.The 2019 Retirees included:Diane Higgins - 34 years, Tilford Kindergarten, Special Education-PDC at West ElementaryBarb Salger – 32 years, High School Secretary, Prom SponsorTeresa Wilson – 28 years, Taught Tilford 4th Grade, various elementary grades, Library Associate at West ElementaryGail Showman – 25 years, Started the Home School Assistance Program, Director and TeacherLes Bearbower – 24 years, Director of Grounds and Maintenance, Various roles included Bus Driver and Custodian at ShellsburgJulie Long – 19 years, Middle School, 5th Year Associate, Special Education, West AssociateJudy Mumm – 19 years Shellsburg Teachers Associate, Special Education AssociateCheryl Jorgensen – 18 years, Tilford Kindergarten, 2nd Grade at West Elementary, Title I & Special Education Associate at Middle School.

The 8th grade Vinton Shellsburg class, received several President's Awards last night. Emceeing the evening was Mrs. Petersen. Several of the 8th graders received either the President's Award for Educational Excellence or the President's Award for Educational Achievement.

According to two press releases by the City of Vinton and the Vinton Police Department:The City of Vinton instituted a court ordered cleanup of the property located at 615 A Ave, Vinton.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2019 , the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight will launch EIHF Flight #36. Since we began operations in 2009, to date, we have transported 3,053 Veterans, plus their guardians to Washington, DC to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

"You're going to have a baby!" the news that most couples are thrilled to hear. Plans begin to form: where the baby will sleep, the color of the nursery, which daycare will baby attend, and the list goes on.

On 5-4-19, at about 11:20 am, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injury at the intersection of 53rd St and 19th Ave in rural Benton County about 2 miles west of Mt Auburn IA.