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News Headlines

Part 2: Fighting to Save the Nation, One Farm at a Time

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - April 21st 2026 12:06 pm
Article Thumbnail. Lance and Heidi Lillibridge, local Vinton farmers share what farming is really like.
                  Lance Lillibridge, a Vinton farmer, stood at Columbia College in the heart of New York City in front of a room full of those with a PhD. He joked that he had a PhD too, only his stood for Piled High and Deep. Farming his whole life has taken him to farms around the world, put him at the table with NASA, and this past week, he hosted a Japanese delegation on his farm.

Part 1: Meeting the Lillibridges

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - April 20th 2026 11:48 am
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In October of 2025, local farmer Lance Lillibridge shared a post that got the attention of many. It started with the words, "I am a pissed off farmer - like most in the U.S." The full text will be at the end of this article.---I first noticed posts from Heidi on my Facebook feed several years ago. There were many of her calling the cattle, then feeding them or just scratching their noses.
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Making Room for the Next Generation

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - April 20th 2026 10:14 am
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Will McKenna, son of Nichole and John, shared a speech he gave as part of a FFA Public Speaking project. As required, it addressed several agricultural topics entitled, "Making Room for the Next Generation." He addressed the challenges faced by farmers and those who want to step into the community. (His speech in full, is at the end of this article.

Vinton Lions Club 2nd Annual "Battle for the Paddle," May 9

VINTON LIONS CLUB - April 18th 2026 4:35 pm
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Vinton Lions Club Foundation Second Annual “Battle for the Paddle” Pickleball Tournament – May 9 with Expanded Family-Friendly Events and Music! T-Shirt Deadline – April 24th!The date is quickly approaching for a full day of fun, competition, and community spirit as the Vinton Lions Club Foundation (VLCF) hosts the Second Annual “Battle for the Paddle” Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 8:00 a.

Serving for Success: FFA Members Raise $14,665 in Volunteer Auction

FFA - April 17th 2026 9:22 am
Article Thumbnail. Auctioneer John Winkelpleck presenting the students that are attending the Washington Leadership Conference.
By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKennaOn March 31, 2026, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter hosted its annual Volunteer Auction, bringing together students and community members for one of the chapter’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Each FFA member donated eight hours of labor, which were auctioned off to local buyers. Community members could bid on a variety of services, including yard work, farm labor, babysitting, cleaning, and other household tasks.
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BCHPC Announces K–12 Art Contest Honoring the Nation's Birthday

VINTON TODAY - April 17th 2026 9:13 am
The Benton County Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 K-12 Art Contest, inviting students across Benton County to celebrate the nation's birthday through original artwork. The contest encourages young people to explore themes of history, heritage, and community while expressing what the nation's birthday means to them.

Keep an Eye on the Sky

BENTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - April 17th 2026 9:06 am
Be sure to pay attention to the weather from lunchtime until bedtime tonight. Watch for alerts that are sent and take them seriously. There is an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms this afternoon and evening. The primary threats will be damaging winds (possibly significant) and tornadoes.● Initial afternoon storms to bring highest risk for tornadoes; coverage of storms to increase through the evening with damaging winds becoming primary risk.

Attorney General Brenna Bird Warns Iowans of Tax Day Scams

IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL - April 15th 2026 11:47 am
As tax season comes to a close, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today announced tips to protect Iowans from tax and IRS scams. â€œYou can celebrate the end of tax season, but don’t let your guard down against scammers,” said Attorney General Bird. “They love to take advantage of Iowans any time of year, but post tax season it’s especially important to be vigilant.
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VGH, UI ARC Mobile MAT Clinic, and BCOC Partner to Expand Access to Care

VIRGINIA GAY HOSPITAL - April 14th 2026 7:00 pm
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Pictured: Members of the Benton County Opioid Committee, University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) Mobile MAT Clinic team, and Virginia Gay Hospital staff gathered during a recent visit focused on expanding access to substance use treatment and community-based care in Benton County.__Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) recently hosted the University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) Mobile Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Clinic, bringing expanded access to substance use disorder treatment directly to the local community.

St. Mary's Catholic Church part of Catholic Church's reorganization

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - April 14th 2026 11:28 am
Article Thumbnail. Benton County map of the Catholic Church consolidations
The Archdiocese of Dubuque announced its plan to reorganize 160 parishes across Iowa into 24 pastorates beginning July 14, 2026. This yearlong “Journey in Faith” is aimed at strengthening evangelization, leadership formation and pastoral planning.Vinton's St. Mary's Catholic Church is on the list of congregations that will be dispersed to join other congregations.
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