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BENTON COUNTY POLLING PLACESPrimary ElectionJune 2, 2026Polls open 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.PRECINCT POLLING PLACESBelle Plaine I Community Center, RSVP Room                        1309 5th Avenue, Belle Plaine, IABelle Plaine II Community Center, Dining Rm                        1309 5th Avenue, Belle Plaine, IABelle Plaine III Belle Plaine Fire Station                        504 13th Street, Belle Plaine, IABenton-Canton-Shellsburg Shellsburg Legion Hall                        114 Main Street, Shellsburg, IABig Grove-Union-Van Horne Van Horne Community Center                        508 1st Ave, Van Horne, IA*Bruce-Cedar-Monroe-Mt.

The Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group in Benton County will be meeting this Tuesday.  You are not alone. This ongoing, drop-in support group is for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.

The Iowa Events Center in Des Moines hosted the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony on April 26, 2026. The following students were recognized by Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement:Jillian Hanson - LaPorte City - UnionAllison Argo - Belle Plaine - Belle PlaineAly Erickson - Vinton - Vinton-ShellsburgThe statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 429 high school seniors from across Iowa.

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaThe Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held its 96th Annual Awards Banquet, bringing together 39 members and 119 guests to celebrate a year full of growth, leadership, and achievement.

The Union Pacific will be bringing Big Boy No. 4014 through Benton County as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will pass through on its coast-to-coast tour.

What started as a simple invitation from a friend has turned into a remarkable lifetime gift for others for local resident Mona Hanson, who recently reached an incredible milestone — donating 109 pints of blood through the Red Cross.

The Iowa Police Chiefs Conference was held in Coralville with the Vinton Police Department in attendance. The department was proud to officially accept its ILEAP Accreditation Award.

The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts has been planning the 2026 Community Mural, a public engagement project intended to involve artists and community members in together designing and producing the next mural in Vinton.

Saturday, May 30th, is the annual fundraiser for the Shellsburg Area Community Group. You are encouraged to stop by Wildcat between 9:00 and 1:30 p.m. to support the group’s efforts.

Friends, neighbors and families gathered at the historic Bear Creek Cemetery and Bear Creek Church over the Memorial Day weekend to honor the memory of loved ones and veterans who have passed away.