News

On August 25th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA had their first chapter meeting of the 2014-2015 school year. The meeting started at 6:30 with 40 members present. At this meeting a lot was accomplished- from constitutional changes to shirt designs for the year. The members also met the new FFA assistant, Ms. Hill! After the meeting ended we set up nine-square in the back of the school for members to play, but instead of playing right away the members all stood and watched the officer team get soaked! Mrs.

Behind the scenes, volunteers and others have been working to prepare for this weekend's Boomtown and Boomfest activities. City crews placed flags on downtown light poles, and Boomtown Committee members worked with Veridian Credit Union employees to set up the fairgrounds for the weekend event. Veridian is again the title sponsor of Boomtown.

Accepting the challenge from former Casey's employee Trent Husted, who now works at Virginia Gay Hospital and participated in the VGH Ice Bucket Challenge earlier this week, Casey's manager Chris Hendryx accepted the challenge and also involved the convenience store employees and a few willing customers.  However, instead of raising money for the ALS Association, the Casey's event raised money for the MDA camps.

It’s uncommon these days for someone to work within a business or institution for more than a few years, and even more remarkable for a person rise within the ranks to one of the top positions. After 30 years Julia Meadows, Chief Financial Officer of Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics, is retiring. Initially hired in 1983 as a Posting Machine Operator, she was quickly promoted to Data Entry Clerk a year later, and during her 30 year career she has held the following positions: Data Process Manager, Patient Accounting Coordinator, and in 1992 began her position as the Chief Financial Officer.

The filing deadline for candidates for the Nov. 4 election was yesterday. The Benton County ballots for federal, state, county and township offices will include the following names. Benton County Candidate Listing General Election November 4, 2014   County Filing Deadline August 27, 2014   Federal Offices US Senator Bruce Braley-Dem Joni Ernst-Rep   Bob Quast-Bob Quast for Term Limits   Rick Stewart-Ind   Douglas Butzier-Lib   Ruth Smith   US Representative Dis.

The Iowa State Patrol and the Benton County Sheriff's Department continue to investigate a motorcycle accident that claimed the life of 63-year-old Charles Bonikowske of Ogdensburg, Wis. at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. According to the ISP, the cycle was westbound on Highway 30 near 18th Avenue south of Keystone when the driver lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle.

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II, and Central Region met at 8:30 am June 25, 2014 at the Benton County Fair office with Kelly Kaut as hostess.  She treated us to a wonderful brunch before the meeting, program and workshop. President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 9:15 am.  Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the conservation pledge.

Vinton's Virginia Gay Hospital became the third local health care organization to have employees participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge for the ALS Society on Tuesday afternoon. Accepting the challenge from the Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living staff, 45 VGH employees from several departments formed a half-circle around the fountain in front of the main entrance.

The Vinton Shellsburg United Special Olympics team held its 5th annual Benefit Ride on August 16th.  Nearly 115 riders took part in the event that covered 120 miles of Benton County countryside. The ride started in Vinton at the Ron Da Voo with stops in Traer, Keystone, Walford, Shellsburg, Urbana, and finished with two stops back in Vinton at Mickey’s Bar and the final stop at the American Legion Hall.

The staff of the Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living Center, with help from residents, accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge from the Windsor Manor staff. Just before having the residents dump cold water on them, the Lutheran Home employees, through Jessica Rippel, issued the challenge to the Virginia Gay Hospitals, clinics and Home Health employees.