News

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 5 PM TO 9 PM AT COURTHOUSE LAWN5 PM - FARMERS SAVINGS BANK & TRUST Community Picnic: Free hots dogs, chips & drinks served from the bank’s parking lot (401 B Ave)6:30 PM - KIDDIE PARADE: Let your imagination be your guide and dress up like you’re living in the 80’s! Decorate your bike, your stroller or your wagon. Kids in 5th grade and under are invited to participate and join the fun! (Line-up is at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust.

By Camryn GrubicIt shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who knows a thing or two about conservation that Iowa’s waterways and aquatic ecosystems are under threat. Let me share with you some of the steps Benton County Conservation has been taking to secure a safer and healthier future for one of our designated hotspots, Hannen Lake Park.Hannen Lake Park was the first county conservation manmade lake in the State of Iowa, and was completed in 1958.

The city of Atkins issued the latest updates concerning road construction on in the area of US Highway 30 and 33rd and 32nd Avenues in the Off-Set Right-Turn Lane Project, as well as improvements to the Benton-Linn Road and Ellis Road.33rd Avenue at US Highway 30 -The contractor’s dirt crew started work on 7/1-Intersection will be closed beginning on Monday, 7/7 and will remain closed for 2-3 weeks-Paving crew to move in the week of 7/14- The contractor is hoping to be paving the right-turn lane the week of 7/14-Shoulder rock and traffic paint will be installed after the concrete paving has cured32nd Avenue at US Highway 30-Excavation crew to mobilize in approximately 2 weeks-The contractor will conduct work within the lane closure and the intersection remains open;-Once 33rd Ave is open to traffic.

The Vinton Public Library is a drop-off location for the HACAP food drive! Bring in your donations between now and July 12th, and we will deliver the food to a local food bank. Our drop-off box is located in our upper level next to the elevator.Drop off non-perishable foods here. Some suggestions are:Canned Fruits in juiceCanned VegetablesCann

Due to some technical difficulties, we were down for a little while today.There will be no email tomorrow, the Fourth of July.Enjoy this holiday weekend with your family!Here is a limited numbers of stories - just in case some may have given up on today’s email! These stories are specifically for the Fourth of July holiday. See you on M

If you are looking for some fun things to do on the 4th of July, don't forget to take the kids to enjoy the splash pad at Kiwanis Park, or enjoy some play time at Riverside Park, then swing by BL Anderson to check out the new look there! Grab a patriotic book at the library today to enjoy over the weekend!If you prefer a road trip this weekend, here are some activities around the state that you can enjoy over the fourth.

Due to changes in state law, there are now permitted times and locations for shooting off fireworks within the city limits of Vinton. Residents will not be in violation of the revised fireworks laws (Code of Iowa, Sec. 727.2) if they use their fireworks legally and responsibly during the following times.Permitted Fireworks Times (On Private Property Only) July 3, 2025 9 a.

The Vinton Public Library knocked it out of the park when hosting the "Touch a Truck" event on Tuesday morning. Children were able to explore everything from a Camaro to a fire truck.Available to visit with the children were able to visit with the Vinton Police Department and the Vinton Fire Department, as well as those in the community who brought their vehicles to be explored by wide eyed children.

By Faith Hunt NaturalistStep out at dusk and feel the eve of summer greet you. Feel the air as a new breeze moves in, making the midday heat dissipate with ease. Be still. Watch the grass follow suit. Steady as the atmosphere changes, so does the world around you. Did you feel that? Pg 5 On the Eve of Summer Enjoy the ever so beautiful sunset as it disappears over the horizon, trading its place in the sky with the crescent moon, and sparkling constellations.

This year the Benton County Fair awarded a new award to the Benton County Fair Queen Candidates. The award is entitiled the "Passion and Purpose Award." This was awarded to the candidate who the judges felt showed the most passion about Benton County. This award was given to Jaydn Weiser a 2025 Center Point-Urbana Graduate. The Miss Congeniality award was chosen by those in the Benton County Fair Queen contest and voted on among her peers.