News
Eight is not enough: Boomtown 2015 set for Aug. 28-29
We asked for it, and the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association is kind enough to let us have it!
While we may not think it possible, the IPA knows no boundaries, and is ready to bring us a BIGGER, BADDER and BETTER Boomtown! Boomtown will return to Vinton for its 9th year in 2015! And because the IPA knows their Boomtown followers so well, they know we like to start our planning early, they have selected the dates for their 9th annual show. Supervisors approve bid to prepare courthouse area for return of clock
While Smith's Bell and Clock Service of Indiana continues to work on the mechanisms of the Benton County courthouse clock, leaders are preparing the area where the clock will soon return.
Supervisor Terry Hertle said leaders recently approved a contract for sanitizing and removing bird waste from the courthouse bell tower, clock area and dome, as well as strengthening the stand which will support the bell.
Safety Day offers variety of lessons
Children received advice about the safe interaction with animals, how to properly behave around farm machinery and how to use fire extinguishers during the annual Safety Day sponsored by the Benton County Extension Service.
Calling it a "very successful day," Greg Walston listed the organizations who helped: Benton County Fair Board, Benton Co. Flaughless 5K: Third annual event to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project
The third annual Flaughless 5K run/walk will take place Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park in Vinton. This event was created in remembrance of Dan Flaugh, a 2004 graduate of Washington High School in Vinton and an Iraq War veteran who took his own life in December 2011. Proceeds from the Flaughless 5K will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization that supports a full range of programs and services for injured veterans and their families. Volunteers needed for Garrison library project
As fund-raising continues for the Garrison libraries, leaders there hope that volunteer labor can reduce the cost of finishing the project.
Anyone with construction skills who is wiling to help can call library director Angela Dague between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. at 319-477-5531, or by email at garrison@netins.net.
See the Garrison library page HERE.
Travel Channel to feature historical Benton County murder, Oct. 24
One of the first murder investigations in Iowa history to be solved with forensic investigation will be highlighted on TV on Oct. 24.
The Travel Channel's series "Mysteries at the Museum" sent a camera crew to Vinton in February to talk to local historians about how Benton County authorities used forensics to determine that the victim of a Walford store fire was not the owner, Frank Novak, but another man.
John Pickart Memorial Fund set up; Sunday event to honor him
B & B Productions has decided to hold the Race'em Or Wreck'em event this Sunday at Farley Speedway as scheduled, after much discussion following the Sept. 13 death of John Pickart of Norway at a similar event in Cedar Rapids. There will be no buses or motor homes racing. This event will be a memorial race in honor of John Pickart also known as JP.
Iowa Judges Association names new award after Vinton's Van Zimmer
Iowa Appeals Court Judge Van Zimmer of Vinton received the Van Zimmer Award from the Iowa Judges Association (IJA) at the association’s annual meeting in June.
In an unexpected presentation, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady gave Zimmer the award, which is the first of its kind and named after Zimmer, the first award recipient. Farmers Mercantile building echoes again with music
A century ago, the residents of the Garrison area would gather at the Farmers Mercantile on Main Street -- many during their weekly visit to town. There they would shop for whatever they needed and often socialize with neighbors while listening to music and dancing.
The historic store closed about a decade ago, and has been silent for years as owners Nick Fisher and his wife Charlotta worked to restore the historic building. CR accident has organizers, drivers re-thinking safety of popular Fair events
The fatal accident at Hawkeye Downs at the “Race ‘Em Or Wreck ‘Em” event at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids this past weekend has organizers and participants re-thinking the safety of such events, and may impact what kind of entertainment offered during future Benton County Fairs.
John Pickart, 68, of Norway, died during a school bus and RV race; that event has taken place twice in recent years at the Benton County Fair in Vinton, in 2010 and 2012.