News

Annabelle NewtonMy name is Annabelle Newton, and I am the daughter of Chad and Kim Newton, and have one sister Sophia (12). I am a sophomore at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School where I am involved in Track, Cross Country, Student Senate, and FFA. I have served the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter as Co-Reporter and will be serving it as President this upcoming school year.

Emily IngallsEmily Ingalls is the daughter of Loren and Patricia Ingalls. She has two older brothers, Aaron and Tristan and her older sister Machaela. She lives outside of Van Horne and attends Benton Community. Emily is 17 and will be a Senior in the Fall.Emily is actively involved in 4-H and FFA. In FFA she has participated in several CareerDevelopment Events with her favorite being Conduct of Meetings where she received Gold at SubDistricts and Districts and received Silver at state.

Harlyn HeitshusenMy name is Harlyn Heithusen. Daughter of Willis and Cindy Heitshuen. I live outside of Urbana, Iowa, on a horse and cattle ranch with my parents and my two siblings, Hadley and Kendall. I attend Center Point-Urbana Highschool. Once I graduate I plan to attend Iowa State University, to study Biomedical Engineering, with a minor in Criminal Justice and coach a volleyball team.

Kailey BahmannHey Benton County, my name is Kailey Bahmann. My parents are Scott and Amy Bahmann along with my younger brother Alex Bahmann. I currently live in Vinton and just currently graduated from Vinton-Shellsburg High School. I will be attending Iowa State University in the fall of 2021 and will be going after my animal science degree. Throughout high school though, I was active in the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter, the VS Red Cedar Shooters, the National Honor Society, and much more! I have been a part of 4H for 9 years now and was [sel]ed to be on the 4H youth council which I have been on for 3 years.

On Saturday, the North Eden Willing Worker performed a community service project as part of their service. The group cleared weeds and brush at the skate center cleaning the miniature golf course area in preparation for another miniature golf season.Pictured are: left to right Ava Schirm, Ben Ollinger, Will Kreutner, McKenna Ritscher, Wyatt Shaver, Anna Becker, Leif Allen, Jakob Becker, Samantha Walton, Aleric Webber, Olive Allen, Nora and Jenna Grovert.

Adam Rodenberg ,  Watershed Project Coordinator, presented progress with the Iowa Watershed Approach a Federal Flood Mitigation program and Flood Resiliency project. The pilot project started in 2010, working with local communities and landowners researching, educating and modeling watershed projects. Numerous projects providing success in building ponds, wetlands and preventing erosion.

Pictured: The retiring Officers with the newly elected officersThe 2021-2022 Officer Team takes their first group picture together after the FFA Banquet. (left to right): Paul Herger, Grace Schminke, Isabell Mullinex, Annabelle Newton, Josh Wiley, Bailey Weeks, Clayton McKenna, and Rachel Rollinger.Members playing basketball at the President's ReceptionBy Grace Schminke, Co-ReporterThe Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held their annual end of the year banquet on Saturday May 15th, 2021.

The Vinton Community Foundation is announcing the distribution of $29,273.00 in grants to the following organizations serving the City of Vinton.Local Option Sales Tax Fund & Vinton Community Foundation - $23,773.00Act I of Benton County, Palace TheatreLittle Vikes Drama CampHappy Time Child Development CenterMobile Magnetic Wall – STEM tool to be utilized at TilfordOld School Produce PartnersRepair high tunnel (sheltered growing structure)North Benton Ambulance EMSPurchase Laerdal Cricoid stick simulator trainerVinton Presbyterian ChurchSenior Grocery ProgramVinton Shellsburg Community School DistrictOperation BackpackVinton Shellsburg Community School DistrictSundown Mountain Ski Resort day for 5th gradersVFW POST 8884Purchase new building equipmentGeorge G Luckey Post 57Flag Essay Contest, Scholarships & improve lightingVinton Shellsburg Post PromEntertainment for Post PromCity of Vinton – Parks and Recreation DepartmentSwimming pool passesSt Mary’s Catholic ChurchAssist registered youth to attend National CatholicYouth ConferenceTLC PreschoolPurchase and install an AED in the schoolVinton Guild of Fine ArtsAlley Art Project – create interactive murals in alleys ofdowntown VintonNorth Benton AmbulancePurchase Laerdal airway management trainerJunior Achievement of Eastern IowaProgram suppliesL.

Oliviah Doty, a fifth-grader attending Shellsburg Elementary School in Shellsburg, IA has won 1st Place in Community Bankers of Iowa’s (CBI) Money Smart Week Poster Contest. As the Grand Prize winner, Oliviah will receive a $600 Certificate of Deposit. Oliviah’s poster was submitted for judging by Farmers Savings Bank & Trust.CBI has been hosting the Money Smart Week Poster Contest since 1999, as part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Smart Week events (held this year April 10-17).

Quilts of Valor has one mission, "to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." The organization is responsible for presenting 271,408 quilts to service members who have been touched by war. Founder, Catherine Roberts, was a Blue Star Mother and created a means to honor as well as comfort those who have been in harm's way.