News

As she does every month, Vinton-Shellsburg Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock spent hours preparing information to present to the local policy-makers, explaining the newest school projects and their impact on the community. But this time, her presentation was not for the Vinton-Shellsburg School Board; instead, she spoke to the Vinton City Council.

Nearly a  year ago, just days after John Scriven's 58th and last birthday, the staff and students at Tilford Elementary, where John had been a janitor for years, held an assembly to honor him and present him a $10,000 check to help pay his medical expenses as he faced his final days of fighting cancer.  The "Where John Counts" campaign inspired the student body, and the community, and earned its leaders a special award from the Kirkwood AEA.

Members of Vinton Unlimited had a chance to learn a bit more about the history of the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School during a special After 5 event Friday, Jan. 10. The Mary Ingalls Society is a local group of volunteers who are trying to preserve the history of IBSSS, particularly as it involved the sister of the famous "Little House on the Prairie" author Laura Ingalls Wilder.

During half-time of the VS Vikettes varsity basketball game on Friday, members of two other VS sports teams were honored for their academic achievement Girls golf: Distinguished in Academic Achievement Award This award is given to teams achieving a combined grade point average of 3.25 and above. The 2012-13 girls golf eam members were:  Erin Randall, Natalie Ketchen, Cara Hach, Kacie Struve, Mara Jessen, Madison Elwick, Lauren Tandy, Kaitlin Kilpatrick, Alyssa Bunge, Olivia Walker, Sierra Goodell,  Pictured with their certificates are golf team members Lauren Tandy, Natalie Ketchen, Erin Randall, Kacie Struve, Sierra Goodell and Olivia Walker.

Due to inclement weather there will be a 2hr late start today Jan 14. No morning preschool. Drive safe on your way to school. 

The following is an annual report from the Post #166 Shellsburg American Legion. It includes a list of where the bikers/motorcyclists rode this year and their mission.  Mid- Winter Conference @ Des Moines [6] Riders--I,390 Miles--96 Hours Spring Conference @ Marshalltown [5] Riders--608 Miles--35 hours Department Convention @ Sioux City [4] Riders--2,312 Miles--86 Hours Fall Conference @ Vinton [5[ Riders--I70 Miles--32hours [2] D.

The quick response of the Vinton, Garrison and Urbana-Polk Township fire departments, along with a strong west wind, helped save the one garage/ office building at the Benton County Engineer/Secondary Roads facility from damage when flames engulfed the garage building just a few feet away Saturday morning. But the fire did claim two of the department's three newest snow plow trucks and other vehicles, as well as the garage that protected them.

The girls of the Cooling Dance Studio performed some of their holiday routines during half-time of the JV girls basketball game Friday in Vinton. They danced to some holiday favorites.  See a video of one performance below: [VIDEO]

The annual VPRD Sledding Party that was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) from Noon-2 PM has been postponed. We just don’t have the snow right now to make it happen...it is pretty bare on that hill, particularly with this rain we have had today. 

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary 8884 of Vinton presented our Essay Contest rules & Titles to the Elementary Schools at Tilford & Shellsburg Elementary Schools in September. This contest was for 3rd,4th & 5th grade students.   The students had until November to return their essay to our Local VFW Auxiliary. Last year was our first year to do this because we just started this organization.