News

Attention, parents of VS Kindergarten students: If your child comes home and tells you that the art teacher said it's OK to color outside the lines, it's true. The first lesson in art, says Lindsey Otto, who has been teaching elementary art for a 14 years, the last 10 at Vinton-Shellsburg, is creativity. “I want them to color outside the lines,” says Otto, just a few minutes before welcoming a class of Kindergarten students for their very first art class.

The 10th anniversary Vinton Boomtown event will be full of "surprises," says Chuck Yedlik. The Bar-Y owner says the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association plans many unique displays for the annual event, which begins today and includes Saturday's fireworks finale, one of Iowa's largest displays. Rain or shine As with other Boomtown/Boomfest events, this one is scheduled to take place rain or shine.

"If we can get 20 volunteers per Iowa home game, we will meet all of our fund-raising goals for the year," says Mel Davis, the chairperson of the 2017 VS Post-Prom Committee. For the second straight year, VS has the opportunity for volunteers to earn money for Post-Prom by volunteering to usher at Iowa games. Davis will have waivers to sign available at Ehlinger's Vinton Express.

Thanks to the generosity of many in our community, our recent school supply drive was able to collect enough to provide 196 Vinton-Shellsburg Preschool-12th grade students with the supplies they will need to start the school year! There were items collected by area churches (Bethlehem Lutheran, Blessed Hope, Harvest Christian, Wesley United Methodist, Stewart Memorial United Methodist, Vinton Presbyterian, First Christian, Garrison United Methodist) and items were also put into collection boxes by community members at Fareway, Shopko, LaGrange Pharmacy and the VU Offices.

The Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation once again extends a sincere thank-you to the Murphy family, and their friends and loved ones, who have donated so generously to so many Virginia Gay campaigns and Gifts of Hope. Now in it's 18th year the Murphy Memorial Golf Outing has contributed more than $300,000 to Virginia Gay and other worthy cancer-related causes.

When Belle Plaine artist Jane Hrabak was checking out art competitions at the 2016 Iowa State Fair, she ran across a contest that called for artists to decorate a concrete statue. Intrigued by the opportunity of creating art in this new medium, she created an idea centered around Belle Plaine's Legion, Post 39, and the Auxiliary and decided to title the work "Pride in America.

The Shellsburg City Council held the public hearing on the proposed annexation of the property south of Shellsburg for the purpose of a Dollar General Store being built. After hearing public comments, the council voted unanimously to not annex the property for the Dollar General Store. "I would personally like to thank everyone who took the time to come to the meeting and share their comments," said Mayor Dan Roehr.

As application deadlines for families impacted by the July 17th EF2 tornado approach, more assistance has become available to help them. The Iowa Individual Assistance Program deadline is August 31st and the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition would like applications by then also to act on requests for needed assistance. Any families who have not applied can still do so by contacting case manager, Sherry Adams at 319-241-5121.

Jane Hrabak earned 2nd place in the Novice division in the State Fair concrete painting contest with this tribute to Belle Plaine's Post 39. Earlier this year, while Belle Plaine artist Jane Hrabak was checking out art competitions to be held at the 2016 Iowa State Fair, she ran across a contest that called for artists to decorate a concrete statue.

The Vinton Shellsburg Boys and Girls Golf Teams Four Person Best Shot Golf Tournament  Takes palce Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Vinton Country Club, 314 9th Ave, Vinton  Tee Time​:  ​9:00am  Cost​: $30.