News : Qwest problem affects 911 service in Vinton

An apparent problem with the Qwest phone company is affecting the 911 service in Vinton.

"We get the calls but we cannot hear the caller," said a woman a the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Qwest technicians are expected to arrive soon to fix the problem, she said.

The spokeswoman at the Sheriff's Office said nobody had called from a cell phone Friday to see if 911 calls made by cell phones are affected.

If the 911 number is not working, residents should call the Sheriff's office at 472-2337, and press 1 to speak to an operator about the nature of the problem.