Introducing Adopt-a-Prairie in Benton County!

BENTON COUNTY INTEGRATED ROADSIDE MGMT
March 5, 2026 12:37 pm

Have you ever wished the roadside next to your property was full of wildflowers instead of fescue or smooth brome?Now it can be.Benton County’s new Adopt-a-Prairie program allows rural residents to apply to have native prairie plants established along the roadside bordering their property.

Center Point-Urbana FFA finds success at Sub-Districts

FFA
March 5, 2026 11:50 am

By Co-Reporters: Audrey Seiler and Addyson SweeneyThe Center Point-Urbana FFA chapter had an outstanding day at sub-districts. Beginning with teams, Conduct of Chapter Meetings scored gold and placed 2nd overall.

Department of War announces the loss of another Iowan

VINTON TODAY
March 4, 2026 11:21 pm

In a statement from the Department of War, the announcement of the death of an Iowa Army Reserve Soldier who was supporting Operation Epic Fury.Major Jeffrey R.

Endangered Person Advisory

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
March 4, 2026 3:57 pm

Update: She has been found!The Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are issuing an Endangered Person Advisory for 78-year-old Cheryl Anderson.

Discounted trees available at distribution events this spring

BENTON COUNTY CONSERVATION
March 4, 2026 1:02 pm

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through a partnership with Alliant Energy, is offering a mixture of hardwoods, low-growing ornamental and evergreen tree species for $25 each.

Iowan among U.S. service members killed by Iranian strike in Kuwait

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
March 4, 2026 11:35 am

In a statement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, she said, "The Department of War has identified four Army Reserve soldiers with the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, who were killed in action when Iran struck Port Shuaiba in Kuwait on Sunday.

Iowa Attorney General Bird stops at the Benton County Sheriff's Office

BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
March 4, 2026 11:27 am

We had the pleasure of welcoming Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office yesterday! During her visit, we provided a tour of our facility and had an open discussion about the issues currently impacting Benton County, as well as the proactive work and positive momentum happening within our agency.

Primary Season: First Candidates file to be on the June 2nd Primary Ballot

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
March 2, 2026 9:05 pm

The first candidate for the June 2, 2026 primary election ballot was Bethany Hantz. She filed her paperwork with the Benton County Auditor's Office bright and early on Monday morning, the first day that papers could be submitted.

Did You Know? Vehicle Registration

BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
March 2, 2026 1:21 pm

Iowa has a new temporary registration tag, which is designed to be tamper resistant and trackable. This new design allows officers to quickly distinguish legitimate temporary tags from fake tags.

Truesdell Judge: "His Unfathomable acts have caused immeasurable pain and loss"

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
February 27, 2026 5:47 pm

RecapLuke Truesdell was the man charged with the beating deaths of  Romondus "Ro" Cooper, Amanda Parker, Keonna Ryan and Brent Brown in Hiawatha on June 5, 2024.