News

Van Wey places 2nd in Photo Contest

Iowa Learning Farms has announced the winners of its inaugural Beauty of Conservation photo contest. A panel of judges [sel]ed the top four prize-winning images in adult and youth categories, and a People’s Choice winner was [sel]ed through online social media voting in each category. Liz Ripley, ILF conservation outreach specialist and coordinator of the contest, says participation in the contest exceeded expectations and provided a challenging assortment for the judges to consider.

Ollinger uses Lemonade stand to raise money for local shelter

Addison Ollinger is the Purr-fect helper for area shelter Mark our words, this girl is going to change the world!Addison volunteers twice each week and is as reliable, thoughtful, caring and genuine as any adult.  Special thanks to her parents Mike and a Holly for encouraging a volunteering spirit in her at such a young age.Sunday evening Addison Ollinger held a lemonade and cookie stand for Better Together.

The Still Family continues the battle for Brennen

As many of you may remember, last December Brennen Still had a migraine which started the first of his doctor visits. Doctors ran numerous tests and discovered that the young man had Leptomeningeal Melanomatosis which is a rare cancer diagnosis that only a few other children have been diagnosed with. At this time there has not been a discovered cure.

North Iowa Tractor Ride July 23-25 overnighting at Benton County Fairgrounds

The annual North Iowa Tractor Ride will roll through Benton, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Tama and Linn Counties.  The 13th Annual ride, presented by MBT Bank and hosted by 95.1 the Bull, 987 Kiss Country and 103.7 the Fox, will take place this weekend, July 23rd -25th, 2020During this year’s ride, 200 vintage and restored tractors will be headquartered in the  Vinton at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

UPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS for Virginia Gay Hospital

Effective Tuesday, July 21, visitors are NOT allowed unless the visitor is a designated caregiver and the patient falls into one of four categories listed below:• The patient is imminently dying.• The patient is an infant or small child. In this case only one designated parent/caregiver may be present in the room to support care of the patient.• The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium.

Salute to the Fallen honors SPC Mason Webber with Motorcycle Ride

Salute to the Fallen honored SPC Mason Webber on Saturday’s Freedom Rock Tour  Click for photos of the event.Shellsburg is home to one of Iowa's 88 Freedom Rocks. Saturday it was the centerpiece for a ride that was created to honor a fallen soldier SPC Mason Webber. Salute to the Fallen Foundation organized the ride which covered 270 miles and stopped at three of Iowa's Freedom Rocks. The group left Marshalltown at 10:00 a.

Benton County Fair in progress

The limited 2020 Benton County Fair is now in progress! COVID isn't going to stop the sheep, cows, pigs, chicken and all of the kids from making a trip to the Benton County Fair. The audience is much smaller in the barns, but the enthusiasm and dedication these kids have is large enough to fill the place. Cheering each other on, the livestock is paraded out to show the judges the best of the best. The training shows as the entrants display their livestock.

Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa Launch ‘CAREforce for our WORKforce”

Iowa Women’s Foundation, Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa Launch ‘CAREforce for our WORKforce” in Support of Child Care Professionals New campaign urges public to recognize child care providers as essential workers. Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa and the Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) have joined forces to launch a campaign to increase the recognition of child care providers as essential, professional workers.

Area Residents participate in the Bible Reading Marathon

Area residents gathered at 7:14 on July 14 to read the Bible as part of a statewide project A group of Vinton residents met on the courthouse lawn to participate in the 2020 Iowa Bible Reading Marathon. Taking the scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and will turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land,” as their theme.

Party in the Park Annual Event scaled back to an Evening Event

The usual three day weekend of festivities will be scaled back to just an evening for the annual Party in the Park. The event will be held on Saturday, August 1st, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Kicking off the evening will be the rock band The Empty Pockets who will bring a live music concert to Riverside Park. You will enjoy old-school classic rock, folk and the blues.