News
FFA Volunteer Auction Results
On Monday, April 10th members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held their annual Volunteer Auction. The Volunteer Auction is a chance where members are able to volunteer for eight hours to members and organizations within the community. Parents of members, guests, and other community members are able to come to the auction and donate money for the volunteer efforts of members. A Heartfelt Thank You
After the Iowa lawmakers again said, "yes, we will continue to fund newspapers but not you independent online types" I was reminded again, that Vinton Today is pretty special. For 13 years, this online adventure has proven to be the only real independent source of news in Benton County. In a way, NOT receiving money from government entities, allows me the freedom to make observations out loud that other reporters don't dare to.
Senate modifies public notices bill to maintain newspaper requirement
An Iowa Senate bill that would have eliminated a requirement for public entities to publish certain notices in newspapers was significantly altered on Thursday to keep the newspaper requirement.Senate File 546 was then approved by a 37-12 vote.“Public notices will still be printed in the newspapers,” said Sen. Chris Cournoyer, a LeClaire Republican who introduced the initial version of the bill.
2023-24 IOWA FFA STATE OFFICERS
95th Iowa FFA Annual Delegate Business MeetingThe Iowa FFA Leadership Conference was held at Hilton Coliseum in Ames on April 16-18, 2023. The new
Iowa FFA Officer team was elected and announced. Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve. These nine leaders will live out their year of service
speaking with FFA members from across the state, presenting leadership camps and workshops, and traveling around
Iowa and the United States. Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Conquers State Convention
By: Co-Reporter, Grace Schminke From Sunday April 16th through Tuesday April 18th, 45 members from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter traveled to Ames for the 95th Annual State Leadership Conference. The members spent countless hours preparing for their competitions with setting up and practicing for their competitions. On Sunday, the chapter got to help with the Meal for the Heartland event where they were able to help package meals for a charity event. Kurth talks Youth for Christ and The Well with area Kiwanis
Shawna Kurth, Family Ministry Director at Blessed Hope Commnuty Church in Vinton and also a part-time worker for Youth For Christ, gave a presentation to the Vinton Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about her work. Shawna, her husband Tim and children live in Vinton where Shawna works with middle school and high school-aged children. She spends many hours at The Well and and working with children at her church Blessed Hope Community Church. Former Ag and FFA teacher returns to Vinton for Quilt of Valor Ceremony
Rita Moore was excited to present one of her latest quilts to a Veteran familiar not only to her but to former students in Vinton. You might have had George Cummins asa Vocational Ag Teacher or as an FFA advisor in the Vinton School District during the 1970-73 school years.Prior to teaching, Cummins served in the Army from 1967-70 as an Engineer OCS in South Korea and then as a Batallion Adjutant for nine months. Former Center Point-Urbana Middle School teacher pleads Guilty
Adam Hildebrandt, 40, a former Center Point-Urbana Middle School teacher pled guilty on Friday to sending inappropriate, sexual messages to a 13-year-old female student. He pled guilty to attempting to entice a minor under the age of 16, which is an aggravated misdemeanor. He could receive up to one year in county jail, no more than two years in prison and a maximum fine of $8,540. Jury finds Tacoa Talley Guilty of First Degree Murder
After closing arguments at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Friday, the jury reached a vedict by 1:30 p.m. In the murder trial of Tacoa Talley concerning the death of Jodie Bevans, the jury found Talley guilty of first degree murder. Sentencing will be held on June 2nd at 1:30 p.m.The state began by presenting its closing arguments recapping the details of the case. Tacoa Talley Trial Day 3 of Testimony
Thursday's testimony began with the state's expert witness to explain the use of cellphone data in placing Tacoa Talley and Samantha Bevans' locations during the days prior to and the day of Jodie Bevans' murder. Data collected by the witness verified testimony given by the witnesses on Wednesday placing both Talley and Bevans together in Cedar Rapids, Shellburg and at the campground where the Bevans family had gone for a camping trip the day before the murder.