News -

2nd Precinct elects Andrew Elwick to Council Seat

By Valerie Close, Editor · March 4th, 2020

With 17.89% of the registered voters voting in the special election on Tuesday, Andrew Elwick was elected to fill his father's vacant seat on the city council. After his father Ron's term finished last year, there were no candidates to fill the seat. With write-in confusion and missteps in filling the seat, the council decided to hold the special election, Overall, nearly 18% of voter turnout for a special election is impressive, great job second precinct!Congratulation Andrew!

Iowa Insurance Division Reminds Investors to Beware of Con Artists

By 4th St. Diner · March 3rd, 2020

Due to ongoing developments related to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on financial markets, the Iowa Insurance Division is reminding Iowa investors to beware of con artists seeking to capitalize on fear and uncertainty.“We know con artists are opportunistic and use current events to cloak their schemes with an air of immediacy and legitimacy.

Special Election being held today - 20 of the eligible 738 have voted so far

By Valerie Close, Editor · March 3rd, 2020

The 2nd Precinct special election is being held today at the Vinton Skate Center. Polls opened at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until 8:00 p.m.As of 11:00 a.m. only 20 of the eligible 738 voters have voted in the 2nd Precinct.Vinton Today asked for a response from all of the candidates to questions that had been submitted by residents.

Benton County Auditor first to submit papers to run for re-election

By Valerie Close, Editor · March 2nd, 2020

The first to submit her paperwork for the 2020 election, Benton County Auditor Hayley Rippel announced that she will be running for re-election and is the first to submit her paperwork. In her statement which she released this morning, she said, "Happy Monday Everyone!I would like all of my family, friends and constituents to hear it from me first.

Faces of Benton County Nominee: Don Lyle

By Vinton Today · March 2nd, 2020

MEET DON LYLE—a Vinton resident and retired teacher who spent more than four decades creating nurturing environments for students and student-athletes.Don Lyle—known to most in the community as ‘Mr. Lyle’—is the thirteenth nomination to the Family Nurturing Council’s Faces of Benton County campaign.

School shows their Stripes for one of their own

By 4th St. Diner · March 2nd, 2020

Like Leap Day, Rare Disease Day is recognized on the last day of February. ZTTK, Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim, Syndrome is a disease that Aimsley Van Ree was diagnosed with when she was only 3 1/2. Aimsley who is now 5, is also part of a duo with her twin brother Wesley. Aimsley is the only child in Iowa that her family knows of right now with the disease.

Leap Year Babies across the area celebrating

By Valerie Close, Editor · March 1st, 2020

Of the United States' population of roughly 330,000,000, only about 205,000 babies born in the United States celebrate their birthday every four years. You know the drill, every parent throws a big party for their child's first birthday, after all, it only happens once. The second birthday rolls around and it's still fun to watch the two-year-old play with the wrapping paper and the bows.

Urbana resident takes home $30,000 in Lottery Winnings

By Vinton Today · February 28th, 2020

A Benton County woman said she didn't believe her eyes after scratching off a $30,000 lottery prize.Nancy Newton, 75, of Urbana, won a top prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Bonus Crossword" scratch game. She purchased her winning ticket at Casey's, 201 Sunset St. in Urbana, and scratched it when she got home.

Vinton Police Department adds Officer Laura Deaton

By Valerie Close, Editor · February 28th, 2020

Starting off the council meeting Thursday evening, Laura Deaton officially joined the Vinton Police Department. A member of the Perry Police Department for 7 years, a couple of those years she spent as a detective.Bubbling over with enthusiasm for her new job the officer shared a bit about herself. Deaton grew up in southern Iowa on a farm and was homeschooled along with her five siblings.

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports P.B.I.S.

By Vinton Today · February 28th, 2020

If you stopped at Tilford Elementary on Thursday, you weren't dreaming, everyone really did wear their pajamas to school. It happens, sometimes. Well, it happens when about 450 children are challenged to earn 7,500 Viking Spirit tickets, and they do it in around a month.Tilford Elementary works really hard to encourage their children in several different ways.