News

The end of the school year included a celebration of the completion of the first year of one of the newest programs the Vinton-Shellsburg district offers its special needs students: The Connection Center. This program helps special needs students who have recently graduated to find job experience and life-skills training in a school environment.

The week of June 1-7 has been proclaimed National Garden Week by National Garden Clubs, Inc. Vinton Mayor John Watson signed the proclamation last week to announce the celebration in Vinton. This is a special week in which garden clubs are in the spotlight with activities focusing on public attention on the role which garden club members play in all phases of gardening.

Benton County voters went to the polls on Tuesday to help determine the candidates for the November election. There were no locally-contested primaries, but Democrats and Republicans did have to choose candidates for District 1 Congress and U.S. Senate. Republicans also had a challenger facing Gov. Terry Branstad in the primary. The county-wide results matched those of the final results, in most races.

The Republican and Democratic Primary Election takes place today, as various candidates for Governor, Congress and U.S. Senate are on the ballot today, along with state legislative offices.  Polls are open until 9 p.m. Polling places: Belle Plaine 1: Community Center, RSVP Room, 1309 5th Avenue, Belle Plaine **Belle Plaine 2: Community Center, Dining Room, 1309 5th Avenue, Belle Plaine Belle Plaine 3: Belle Plaine Fire Station, 504 13th St.

The ever-increasing number of Cubs fans appealing for a World Series Championship from the seats much closer to the heavenly throne has got to start making a difference at Wrigley Field – it just has to. My first idea for a headline for this story was: Vinton Today loses a great fan. And we did, on Sunday, when Mike Hibbs died at age 72.

On Sunday, May 25th, Bethlehem Lutheran Church presented the fifth gift of $101 to the Garrison Library Board, to assist them in their "Restore Garrison's Library Project".  In its 101st year, the church continues to present these monthly gifts to deserving community organizations.   Groundbreaking for the city's new library was celebrated on May 14, 2014!  $360,000 for the new building's shell came from insurance funds as well as from grants and donations.

For the second time this month, a Vinton garage has been destroyed in a fire that has local residents wondering if it could be related to a meth lab. This time, the fire claimed a historic Vinton landmark, as well. Residents near the area of 9th street and A and First Avenue reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing flames coming from two buildings: The garage behind the vacant house at 908 A Avenue, and Joe Wehage’s historic carriage house, which he had converted into an office area.

The Benton County Above the Influence Coalition and the Benton County Sheriff’s Department collaborated to complete alcohol compliance checks in Benton County on April 5, 2014 as part of the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) project. The SPF SIG project is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.

The committee of local residents who are trying to raise money for the restoration of the Benton County Courthouse clock are planning a June 16 meeting. The group has also commissioned a new graphic for the courthouse lawn which shows the progress of the fund-raising efforts. They are working on applying for grants as well as accepting local donations.

With some scorching hot weather on the way, residents of Vinton and nearby communities may find some relief in sight at the Vinton Community Swimming Pool as it has now opened its doors for the 2014 season! Operating on a reduced hour schedule until the school year concludes, regular pool hours will resume on Saturday, May 31.   Revised Hours (this week only!) Lap Swim: 6-7 AM (Friday) General Open Swim: 4-8 PM (Thursday), 2-8 PM (Friday)   Regular Hours: Lap Swim: Noon-1 PM, 5-6 PM (Monday-Saturday),  6-7 AM (Tuesdays and Thursdays) General Open Swim: 1-5 PM and 7-8 PM Family Swim Hours: 6-7 PM   Handicap accessibility If you are interested in visiting the swimming pool but have concerns about negotiating the ladder or transferring from a wheelchair, we have solutions for you! The Vinton Community Swimming Pool is equipped with handicap accessible stairs in the 4-foot pool as well as a portable mechanical lift, purchased by VPRD back in 2011.