News

After hearing a request to approve “Social Host Ordinance” aimed at curbing under age use of alcohol and other drugs, the Vinton City Council agreed to “tweak” the ordinance before considering approving it. ASAC Prevention Specialist David Condry and members of the Benton County Above the Influence Coalition have been urging county and city officials to approve the measure, which creates a civil penalty for those who knowingly allow their property to be used as sites for under age drinking or drug use.

Facing a May 1 deadline imposed by the Vinton City Council, Joe Schott has been working on the historic Seed House building at the intersection of First Avenue and Second Street just south of the Cedar River.  In November, the council had issued the deadline for Schott to replace windows and finish the roof of the building, which sustained flood damage in 2008 and significant wind damage during the storm of 2011.

The Vinton City Council learned on Thursday, March 27, that they have exactly four days and three months to find a new health plan for city employees. Because of changes in the Blue Cross plan, the city policies no longer meet the Affordable Care Act guidelines; the insurer notified the city recently that the plan serving city employees and their dependents will be canceled July 1.

During its meeting on Thursday evening, the Vinton City Council gave the necessary approval for several 2014 events: First Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Street will be closed this Sunday, March 30, for the Benton County Speedway car show, which will feature several dirt track cars and the drivers who will race them in Vinton each Sunday evening throughout the racing season.

The Vinton Community Foundation board members are pleased to announce they are now accepting grant applications from non-profit Vinton area groups, for the 2014-grant program. The following grant applications may be applied for: the Vinton Community Foundation, the L.J. Kirkland Trust, and the City of Vinton Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund. Board members include David Wessling, chairman, represents Vinton Unlimited; Mary Jo Hainstock, vice-chairman, represents the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School; Dottie Anderson, represents Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; Phil Borleske, represents the Vinton Area Ministerial Association; and Lisa Vermedahl, represents the Vinton City Council.

An eastern Iowa woman, over age 90 and in the first stage of dementia, is sadly asking her caregivers about the whereabouts of one of her friends. It’s too hard to explain to this woman that her “friend” is in jail, after scamming her out of $95,000, said Karen Huber. Huber, the director of Home Instead, collaborated with Sue Travis of the Farmers Savings Bank Heritage Club to organize a presentation for senior citizens on the dangers of scams and Internet fraud Thursday morning in Vinton.

Farmers put food on our plate, produce fiber, fuel and renewable resources, while protecting our land, air and water.  National Agriculture Day was March 25, 2014.  Ag Day is about recognizing, and celebrating, the contributions of agriculture and the value it plays into maintaining a strong economy. The Benton County Farm Bureau Federation celebrated National Ag Day at Fareway in Vinton.

The Benton County Above the Influence Coalition hosted three separate Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) sessions during the month of March as part of the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) which is funded to ASAC by the Iowa Department of Public Health, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.

VSHS Junior Parents, this is what we've (well, the kids) have been waiting for...POST PROM!!! The night really is a lot of fun, but we need your help! We need volunteers to host the games & activities for the kids. You do NOT need to be a professional athlete, artist or game show host. Just be ready to have some FUN and LAUGH!!! There are game descriptions on the Post Prom website, so you can decide what you'd like to do; then grab a friend and signup on the Games & Activity Sign-up Sheet.

Marlyn and Ann Jorgensen, of Garrison, have been named Iowa Master Farmers by Wallaces Farmer magazine. They are among four Iowa farm families that were recognized during ceremonies in West Des Moines on March 19. The other families are Roy and Phyllis Bardole, of Rippey; Brian and Cindy Kemp, of Sibley; and Gene and Marita Rouse, of Huxley.