(This article is part of Virginia Gay Hospital's bi-annual publication, "Thrive" Spring/Summer 2017 issue. Online version can be found athttps://myvgh.

Loras College has announced the names of students who achieved Dean's List status for the 2017 spring semester. A student must earn a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours to be recognized.

Spring 2017 graduates Dillon Gusta of Atkins, BBA-Accounting; BBA-Finance Morgan Kremer of Atkins, BA-Speech and Hearing Science Benjamin Markland of Atkins, BSE-Chemical Engineering Dana Schmuecker of Atkins, BBA-Accounting Justin Janssof Belle Plaine,DNP-Nursing Keith White of Norway, BSE-Biomedical Engineering Taylor Tovrea of Urbana, BA-Psychology Kristin Bramow of Vinton, MHA-Health Management and Policy Megan Horst of Vinton, JD-Law Ryan Jacobs of Vinton, MBA-Professional MBA Program with distinction Kassie Kilpatrick of Vinton, BA-Journalism and Mass Communication Addy Rickels of Vinton, PHR-Pharmacy with high distinction Audrey Tran Lam of Vinton, MPH-MPH Program Jason McVay of Walker, BA-Enterprise Leadership The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities, dedicated to academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries and creations, commitment to Iowa and the world, and a culture that prizes community, diversity, and opportunity.

Seven young ladies have entered the 2017 Fair Queen Contest for the Benton County Fair, which begins in less than two weeks, on July 12. One of them will be crowned Benton County Fair Queen on Thursday, July 13.

Communications Specialist Kyla Upah gathered these hailstorms outside the Benton County Sheriff's Office/Jail on Wednesday. A storm brought heavy rains and some hail as large as one inch in diameter to the Benton County area Wednesday evening.

Your school cumulative folder is available for you to pick up at the Central Office located at 1502 C Ave., Vinton, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30p.

The following local students were named to the University of Iowa's spring 2017 Dean's List: Keaton Betterton ofAtkins Taylor Busta ofAtkins Nicole Hulsebus ofAtkins Blake Jones ofAtkins Caitlyn Kithcart ofBelle Plaine Alycia Ludden ofBrandon Grace Milroy ofBrandon Jacob Isbell ofGarrison Rebecca Kimm of Keystone Jay Scheel of Mount Auburn Brett Benson ofNewhall Whitney Schutterle ofNorway Keith White ofNorway Carley Deklotz ofShellsburg Luke Moen ofShellsburg Alysa Casey ofUrbana Emma Markowski ofUrbana Alexis Hicok ofVinton Olivia Ketchen ofVinton Kassie Kilpatrick ofVinton Chelsey Mier ofVinton Kayla Schneider ofVinton Brian Stainbrook ofVinton Carolon Johnson ofWalker Cody Johnson ofWalker Ireland Mahoney ofWalker Jason McVay ofWalker Sarah Wehrkamp ofWalker The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities, dedicated to academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries and creations, commitment to Iowa and the world, and a culture that prizes community, diversity, and opportunity.

Augustana University today announced that Robin Heiken of Norway, Iowa, has been named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2016-17 academic year.

David Bray followed this sliding catch in right field with a double. He had 3 RBI in the Game 2 win. Teammates celebrate with Tanner Davis as he trots to home plate after hitting his first home run.

By Rich Hannen Dr. Derek Buckaloo, chair of the Coe College history department, spoke to the Center Point Historical Society members and guests about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s at the Depot Museum June 25.