News

By: Robin Opsahl and Cami KoonsGov. Kim Reynolds plans to propose banning cellphones in Iowa K-12 schools as a top priority heading into the upcoming 2025 legislative session.The governor first announced her intent to bring up the issue in the January 2025 Condition of the State address last week during an interview with the Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau.

Vinton Today will be taking off on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, as usual, should any urgent news cross my desk, it will be published and shared via the email. Any obituaries that come in will be shared only if the funeral or visitation for the resident will be held before Monday. Enjoy the day off and the rest of the weekend with your family.

We’ve all lived this driving experience: you’re cruising along and up ahead you spot a stalled vehicle on the shoulder. Maybe the emergency hazards are on, but maybe not. You have precious seconds to assess the situation and take action. What do you do? You should slow down or move over as soon as safely possible. Crowding a stalled or working vehicle, or failing to let other drivers change lanes, can create the perfect storm for collisions.

Nearly $416,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants were recently awarded to 138 Iowa rural fire departments to help their efforts to protect Iowan’s and their property from wildfires. The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.The following fire departments will receive 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants: Alta, Alta Vista, Amana, Andover, Anita, Anthon, Atalissa, Avoca, Baxter, Bayard, Belle Plaine, Birmingham, Britt, Camp Township, Cantril, Chariton, Cherokee, Clarinda, Colesburg, Correctionville, Cresco, Creston, Cushing, Dayton, Delhi, Deloit, Denmark, De Soto, Dexter, Donahue, Donnellson, Drakesville, Duncombe, Early, Elkader, Estherville, Everly, Farragut, Fort Atkinson, Fostoria, Frederika, Gilman, Glenwood, Glidden, Grant and Lee Township, Grant, Granville, Greene, Gruver, Hamburg, Harpers Ferry, Hartwick, Haverhill, Hawarden, Hills, Holland, Hubbard, Humeston, Inwood, Iowa Falls, Jamaica, Jesup, La Motte, Lake Mills, Lake View, Larchwood, Lehigh, Lisbon, Logan, Luzerne, Malcom, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marengo, Menlo, Meriden, Milford, Modale, Monticello, Montour, Montpelier, Moravia, Moulton, Moville, Nevada, New Albin, New Hampton, New Vienna/Luxemburg, Nora Springs, North English, Norway, Oak Township, Oakland, Ogden, Olds, Olin, Onawa, Orange City, Oxford Junction, Oxford, Palo, Parkersburg, Peterson, Polk City, Quimby, Readlyn, Riverton, Rockford, Russell, Saint Ansgar, Shelby, Shenandoah, Sibley, Sidney, Sigourney, Silver City, Solon/Tri Township, Springbrook, Saint Olaf, State Center, Stuart, Tabor, Tama, Tiffin, Toledo, Tripoli, Underwood, Van Horne, Vining, Vinton, Wallingford, Wapello, Waukon, Webster City, West Union, Westside, Wyoming and Yale.

November is National Adoption Month, and this past week, the Senate passed a resolution celebrating and supporting the goals of National Adoption Month. As a long-time proponent of adoption and member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I was proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation.Children need a permanent and loving home and throughout my time in the Senate, I have consistently fought to improve our nation’s adoption system.

Well, as you all know by now, we are already underway with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. We will be ringing the bell at Fareway in Vinton through December 24th. A big shout of "Thank You!" to all who have signed up to ring. You are appreciated ! Volunteering can give a sense of connectedness to your community, as well as benefits our emotional well-being.

The University of Iowa Physician Assistant Program recognized Abby Reiter, PA-C, for her exceptional dedication as a preceptor. Abby was recently nominated by one of our students for the prestigious Preceptor of the Year award.Although the award for 2024 could not be extended to Abby, her impact on the program and its students is undeniable. Carol and the team join together in sharing heartfelt gratitude for her remarkable talent, work ethic, and commitment to fostering growth in future physician assistants.

It began with a gift, but it is so much more!Virginia Gay Hospital Home Health Agency is pleased to host the annual “Angel Tree” for their clients. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of giving by members of our community last year and we are excited to help our clients have another joyful, meaningful Christmas again this year! Many of our clients, who all live in Benton County are low income, lack the support of close family/friends, and have unfulfilled needs.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker The 29th-31st of October, Andrew Pingenot got the amazing opportunity to take part in the Global Youth Institute for the World Food Prize. At the conference Andrew got to sit in with conversations led by world leaders or companies that are trying to make a difference in global food security, helped package 20,000 meals for the hungry, and joined the Borlaug Dialogue attendees for lunch to collaborate on solutions for world hunger.

Updated: Everything is back up and running! The email address is: VintonToday@hotmail.com. Thank you for your patience!-The email service that Vinton Today uses which is Hotmail is down...or sort of. I can now see the email just not open it.If you need to contact me before it's up and running (or any time really) you can:- send a message to my personal Facebook account or you can send a message through the Vinton Today Facebook page.