News

The Navy Office of Community Outreach announced that Belle Plaine native, Petty Officer 1st Class Blake Chekal, was named the Senior Sailor of the Year aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. This distinction is given to an exemplary sailor selected by a board of senior enlisted out of multiple competitive entries. Chekal joined the Navy 12 years ago and serves today as a machinist mate (nuclear) responsible for the operation of the propulsion plants onboard.

The building known as Faith Independent Baptist Church, located at 911 D. Ave. in Vinton, has been holding services since it was built in 1882. Before it was a Baptist church, it was a Free Methodist church and started originally as the Catholic Church. Several congregations have passed through these doors and the Baptist services continue to this day.

In a Work Session on Thursday night, the city council heard from Nate Kass who represents the city in construction projects that happen in Vinton. He explained the need for the reconstruction of a portion of 1st St. West.  The last section that was poured used the incorrect aggregate materials so it will have to be torn out and reconstructed this year.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted The Iowa Department of Public Health funds to place free Automated External Defibrillators (AED) into every law enforcement vehicle in the State of Iowa. The Vinton Police Department has received its new AEDs and is actively contributing to community well-being by donating their previous AED devices throughout the community.

The Vinton Kiwanis Club welcomed the new owners of Creative Kids Child Care to their meeting last week to talk about their upcoming expansion. Kelsey Fish began the presentation. A teacher for 10 years in the Shellsburg Elementary School, Fish had taught kindergarten and third grade students. She is a resident of Shellsburg, a Vinton-Shellsburg graduate, and holds a Master's Degree in Principalship from UNI and is also a Grant Wood Induction Coach.

So what does it take to clear two feet of snow? Add in sub zero weather freezing said snow?  I was able to touch base with Myron Parizek who is in charge of Benton County's Secondary Roads. He had approached the supervisors to ask that his staff also receive a day off of work to make up for the day that other county workers were given off due to the weather.

The Knights of Columbus free throw contest was held on Sunday, February 4th at the V/S Middle School. The contest is for ages 9 to 14  boys and girls.Pictured are the local winners.Pictured first row left to right: Karah Richart, Bliss Roster, Liam Winsor, Hayden Laughridge, Elliot Whalensecond row - L to R  Oliver Whalen, Reid MangoldThese winners are eligible to represent Vinton-Shellsburg  at the district Knights of Columbus contest on Saturday, March 2, 11:30 am at Regis Middle School in Cedar Rapids.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) is extending the submission deadline for its scholarship application process to April 10, 2024. This change is due to continued delays of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The deadline extension prioritizes students and allows them to provide this important information used in determining financial need as part of the selection process for some Community Foundation scholarships.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars 8884 presented Jenna Grovert with a 3rd place District 2 certificate and a check for the winner. Grovert is in 8th grade and attends Central Lutheran School in Newhall.She also won first place in the local Voice of Democracy competition receiving that award earlier.  She received a certificate and check for both contests.

Kellie Van Ree, a lifetime Benton County resident is excited to announce her candidacy for Benton County Supervisor. Kellie is a 2001 graduate of Vinton-Shellsburg Highschool and attended Kirkwood Community College majoring in Nursing. In 2010, Kellie graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in long-term care administration. Serving in various health care roles for more than 20 years, Kellie now is the Director of Clinical Services for LeadingAge Iowa, a trade association who advocates for non-profit long-term care providers across the State.