News

     State and federal officials from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security spent some time today (Monday) assessing damage to public property. Two officials from the state DHS and two from FEMA saw damaged trees at Riverside Park, the damaged wall at the Donald Martin Picnic Shelter, the damaged roof at the city maintainance building and other sites.

  Participating customers north of I-80 included in event    Interstate Power and Light Co. (IPL), an Alliant Energy company announced today that it will cycle air conditioners for participating Iowa customers north of Interstate 80.  Weather conditions are such that between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. today customers enrolled in the Appliance Cycling Program will have their air conditioner cycled in 15 minute intervals to reduce overall energy usage.

  Shellsburg Elementary PTO Playground Rebuild Days will be held on July 29-31 starting daily at 7-? (Rain Days August 7-9)   Lunch and water will be provided each day!   Please call Jamie Schoch 319-551-4410 or email jamieschoch@gmail.com for a tool list and items needed.   Fly

I will be putting through classifieds for people who specialize in tree care, as well as home repairs.   PLEASE use caution when calling for service.  When in doubt, you can do a couple things.   Ask for references from the area, then check the references.   Google, the phone number...see if it's local, if it's not, and you aren't comfortable using it, don't.

    Trying to ride a horse after spinning around in circles. Seeing how far you can pedal a tractor hauling cement blocks. Bumper cars.      These are just a few of the things children (and some adults) did for fun at the 2011 Benton County Fair.      If you have photos to share with Vinton Today readers, we would be glad to publish them.

     The Parade of Champions was one of the few events canceled this week at the Benton County Fair because of the impact of Monda's storm on the Fairgrounds. But most other shows took place as scheduled.      A few of the champions are pictured here.       Anyone with a photo of a livestock or open show trophy winner or grand or reserve champion is encouraged to send them to Vinton Today at vintontoday@hotmail.

Hiring Contractors after a Disaster

     Volunteers are needed to assist with recovery efforts today in Vinton and rural BentonCounty.     Volunteers should report to the volunteer staging area in the parking lot of the Vinton-ShellsburgMiddle School, 212 W 15th Street, Vinton.      Individuals looking for volunteer assistance with clean up on their property please contact United Way211 by calling 211, (319) 739-4211 or 1-866-469-2211 and place your request with them.

      The Parade of Champions will take place at 2:30 p.m. today at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The fairly recent tradition of honoring all of the champions of the livestock and other 4-H/FFA shows is one of the final events of the 2011 Benton County Fair.       Despite the damage caused by the storm on Monday, the work by volunteers to make the Fairgrounds ready for the event allowed most of its shows to continue throughout the week.

       Benton County Emergency Management Director Scott Hansen is pleased to announce the appointment of Drake Tilson as Ground Support Liaison for the Logistics Section of the Benton County Emergency Operations Center.          Hansen selected Tilson as the Ground Support Liaison in light of Tilson’s superior performance, attention to detail and ability to adapt to an ever changing operational environment during his volunteer service during the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm which passed through Benton County on July 11.