News
Missing Person
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate 18-year-old ZANDER
MCCLINTOK.
• last seen on March 31st, 2024.
• 5’9” 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
• last seen near the Cedar Rapids/Marion area.
• drives a Black 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier (2 door) with Iowa license plate MAL704.
If seen please contact local authorities or the Benton County Sheriff’s Department at 319-472-
2337 Option 1. Benton Development Group Quarterly Update
The Benton Development Group’s quarterly meeting was held recently in Van Horne with a representative from the board of supervisors and the communities of Atkins, Blairstown, Garrison, Shellsburg, and Urbana. In the Director’s Report, Kate Robertson shared information about several grant applications BDG is currently assisting with to improve housing and address damage caused by natural disasters. Bill on emotional support animal housing accommodations heads to governor
BY: ROBIN OPSAHLThe Senate sent legislation to the governor that would require additional documentation and certain restrictions for emotional support animals in Iowa rental properties.While some lawmakers had objections to earlier versions of Senate File 2268, the bill was amended by the House and passed the Senate unanimously in its amended form Monday.
Ash borer found in all Iowa counties but one
By Jared StrongEmmet County in far northern Iowa is the lone remaining county in the state with no confirmed presence of a beetle that kills ash trees, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.On Monday, the department said the emerald ash borer was discovered in Palo Alto County for the first time, in a tree in a public area near Emmetsburg. State Auditor Rob Sand Releases a Report on the City of Atkins
Auditor of State Rob Sand today released a report on the City of Atkins for the year ended June 30, 2022. The City’s receipts and disbursements for the year ended June 30, 2022 totaled $4,127,331 and
$4,171,701, respectively. Sand reported sixteen findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. They are
found on pages 42 through 51 of the report below.
HACAP serves Benton County
In 2023, HACAP servied 1,763 people in 912 Benton County household between October 2022 and September of 2023. Low income households received $874,790 in direct assistance and an estimated market value of $540,000 in food assistance. This is equal to a market value of $1.4 million or an average of $1,650 per household. The top needs for the low-income in 2023 were housing-related issues like repairs, rent or mortgage and utilities as well as food assistance. Benton County SART launches Poster Contest
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Sexual Assault Respons Team (SART) is holding a poster contest.The theme for this year is, "Standing up For Friends, Consent, Healthy Relationships, Boundaries." Posters can be created on any size of paper and designed by all ages! The deadline to submit a poster is May 1st. Simply bring your poster to the Sheriff's Office. IDOT Program helps to install Speed Feedback signs around town
It's probably been a couple of weeks ago that an eagle eyed reader spotted the new poles going up around town. Now you can see the new signs that have been installed along Highway 218 and Highway 150 as you enter Vinton. The Iowa Department of Transportation uses these speed feedback signs to remind drivers to slow down when entering town. These signs will not be issuing tickets but serve as a reminder to slow down and simply be aware that you might be traveling faster than you think. Easter Services and Activities in Vinton
Vinton Area Ministerial Association Holy Week Services will be as follows:The public is invited to brief Holy Week 7:00 a.m. worship services Monday through Thursday, and at 12:00 noon on Good Friday. These services are sponsored by five Vinton Area Ministerial Association churches. A freewill offering at each service replenishes the Ministerial Association’s emergency aid fund.
NO ONE IS A GOOD DISTRACTED DRIVER
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. April 1-8, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to curb the alarming and unsafe trend of distracted driving. To deter multitasking while driving, GTSB is launching a new campaign targeting overconfident drivers and reminding everyone: No One is a Good DISTRACTED Driver.