News
Just a friendly reminder to buckle up
The U.S. Department of Transportation says, "One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt – the national use rate was at 91.9% in 2023. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and your family are properly buckled up every time. Samanta Bevans Trial: Day 4 (Closing Arguments)
On Friday, the jury heard the closing arguments for both the State and the defense. Presenting the remarks were Assistant Iowa Attorney General’s office and the defense Fir Samantha Bevans. The trial began at approximately 9:15 a.m. Judge Chad Kepros began the day reading the 44 jury instructions to the jury. These instructions lay out all the requirements for each charge or potential charge. VGH Employee Awards Banquet 2024
In conjunction with Hospital week, Virginia Gay Hospital recently held its Employee Awards Banquet to honor staff members for their years of dedicated service. The event celebrated employees who have reached significant milestones in their careers.Recipients of the 5 Year Awards included Laura Atherton, Martha Easter, Maddux Erhardt, Franki Evans, Jennifer Greenwood, Samantha Jirak, Anna Kitsmiller, Jill Kuhn, Lillie Lamont, Kathy Ockenfels, Morgan Rust, April Shoudy, Eric Struve, and Reanna Wilhelm. VGH Celebrates First Annual DAISY Honoree Eric Struve
Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) is proud to announce Eric Struve, LPN, as the recipient of the first annual DAISY Award. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary nurses who provide exceptional care and compassion to their patients.Eric was honored at the Annual Employee Awards banquet, surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues who came together to celebrate his outstanding contributions to patient care. County job openings
A position is open at the Benton County Clerk's office. Candidates will need to apply online at www.Neogov.com. The Title of the position is Judicial Specialists 2, Number 24-03920. The posting is open until 5/30/24.Another position that has not been well advertised and applications are due TODAY... is an HR Assistant.We have an opportunity for an outgoing, service-oriented individual to provide assistance to our employees and the public.
Samantha Bevans Trial: Day 3 (Samantha Bevans)
On the third day of trial, Samantha Bevans, 35, took the stand in her own defense. Instructed by the judge that she didn't have to testify, but that she can testify if she chose. She took the stand. Samantha Speaking loudly, quickly and with intensity, she began her testimony with her attorney Lindsay Garner guiding the questions. The defense stated at the beginning of the trial that they would try to prove that she was an abused woman which factored into the way she acted during the time of Jodie Bevans' murder. Iowa Food Pantries Receive $43,000 Worth of Food from Pork Producers
Pork producers across Iowa donated more than $43,000 worth of pork to local food pantries during the past few months. It was done in conjunction with the Pork in the Pantry program, organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Now in its second year, Pork in the Pantry provides funding of up to $1,000 to each county pork producer organization that participates. Deadline Approaching for Century and Heritage Farm Applications
Farm families will be honored on August 15 at the Iowa State FairThe June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today.The program, which was created in partnership by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, honors families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.
State Auditor Rob Sand Releases a Report on the City of Shellsburg
Auditor of State Rob Sand released an agreed-upon procedures report on the City of Shellsburg, Iowa for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. A copy of the complete report is below:
Samanta Bevans Trial: Day 2, Part 1 (Family Testimony and Medical Examiner)
Vinton Today - Samanatha Bevans Trial: Day 1Mr. BevansIn the second day of testimony in the murder trial of Jodie Bevans, Bevans' husband Mike continued his testimony. Upon his entry into the courtroom yesterday, his daughter, the accused, Samantha briefly turned her face away from him hiding behind her attorney's back.Establishing the family, Assistant Iowa Attorney General, Monty Platz, asked him to identify his children.