News
20th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony honors the victims of 9/11
One of the darkest days in American history was remembered 20 years later on Saturday, September 11, 2021. With around 100 residents gathered on the south side of the courthouse, the local American Legion George G. Luckey Post conducted a service to honor those who were lost in the attacks on September 11, 2001. Most in the crowd shared with each other where they were when the attacks happened. 
This isn't a story or a photo that really needs a headline. It's just an old pickup, parked near a field of corn, flying two flags in remembrance of those who lost their lives 20 years ago on 9/11. It was just a picture begging to be taken as I drove through the county. Area Veterans receive Quilts of Valor
When Quilts of Valor makes a presentation to our area Veterans, it's a deeply moving presentation. Sometimes the veterans will share a few words about their experiences, or mention some of their buddies that they lost. Sometimes the veteran will be overtaken with emotion because of the overwhelming love they feel from the simple gesture of being wrapped in a quilt from the group. Gualtier Takes to the Sky
Monday morning, John Gualtier arrived at the Veterans Memorial Airport in Vinton, an appropriately named location for his Dream Flight. Last week he was a little nervous about the flight. The night before the flight he said he had to take 3 sleeping pills, 2 more than usual just so that he could sleep, he was that excited. Throughout the morning John joked with the pilot and crew and those around as he prepared to take off. Arrest made in theft of diesel fuel
On September 3, 2021, a search warrant was conducted at 5590 22nd Ave., Vinton. The search warrant was a result of a theft investigation involving off-road diesel fuel from a business located in Benton County. A custom-made trailer with a 1,000 gallon tank had been taken from the business property and portions of the fuel were used by the suspect while the tank remained in a hidden location. Vinton-Shellsburg FFA host Dairy Food Judging
By: Co-Reporter, Grace Schminke On Friday August 6th, the Vinton-Shellsburg hosted Dairy Food Judging for the Northeast District and members from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter. The teams tested milk with different variants, they tried and guessed different cheeses, and took individual and group tests. They also did a mastitis test on milk. The members that attended on behalf of the Vinton-Shellsburg Chapter included Annabelle Newton, Clayton McKenna, and Bailey Weeks. Old School Produce Partners provide food to area Residents
Once again, Old School Produce Partners, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization brings a harvest that will assist area food pantries across Benton County. For the last 3 years, the project has helped to put food on area tables. Last year the garden produced 8,600 pounds of food. Greg Walston said that there would have been more but that the derecho damaged the tomato crop. New Feature Available on Vinton Today
Construction continues on Vinton Today, on the back end where you can't see it, but I can. Every time Wes comes up with a new or improved feature it makes me so happy, it's like Christmas!On the front, you can now see a little "Print" button to the right of the author's name. I know most of us will share a link to the story, but sometimes there is an article that you want to print out and keep for future generations, and now you can do that.
IOWA 4-H FOUNDATION INDUCTS BRIAN MCNULTY OF WATKINS INTO 2021 HALL OF FAME
The final day of the Iowa State Fair, Brian McNulty, of Watkins, joined a group of Iowans who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. On Sunday, August 22, McNulty was inducted into the 2021 Iowa 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. McNulty became involved in 4-H in the late 1980s as a member of the Eldorado Young Master Farmers 4-H Club. Boomtown lights up the sky, shakes the ground and makes you smile
The Boomtown fireworks show drew thousands to this year's show. With cars lining the streets, filling the fairgrounds and every parking lot in the area, it was obvious that people were ready to see the show. Last year's show was canceled like most other events because of COVID and it was obvious from the crowd this year, that people missed the show.