Vinton News

Barbie collectors share much in common: They believe Barbie pink is the perfect color for lipstick, toenails, handbags and jewelry. They fantasize about vacations where they hop from hotel room to hotel room in search of Barbie's cousin Smashin' Satin Francie or a mint-condition I Love Lucy Santa Claus Barbie. They define 'holy grail' as that final doll or dress required to complete -- at last! -- a collection.

But on one issue the Barbie masses can't be reconciled: To debox or not to debox.

A Cedar Rapids woman was taken to the hospital when her car was struck by a drunk driver four miles south of Vinton.

Police are searching for the man who robbed a Vinton convenience store. The Vinton Police Department says that just after closing time Sunday night, a man approached a clerk in the parking lot of the John's Qwik Shop in downtown Vinton.

Reports were received at the Reporter office yesterday afternoon that the State Highway Commission has placed their o.k. on the Tama-Benton County Line Road south from Dysart and that same will be placed on the State Highway improvement schedule.

VINTON, IA, June 30, 2009 /Cambridge Who's Who/ -- Sharon R. Dieter, RN, BSN, a registered nurse with Virginia Gay Hospital, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in emergency room care.

Severe weather continues to track across eastern Iowa as we continue to receive reports of heavy wind damage and flash flooding.

The high winds scattered limbs and even uprooted whole trees in Benton County. And that debris clogged streets, snapped power lines, and even crunched a few homes.

A tree is uprooted near Vinton. Destructive winds tossed three enclosed trailers more than 20 yards at Patton Equipment along Interstate 380 this morning.

Dozens of people turned out Saturday for the anniversary commemoration of the Flood of 2008 on the Benton County Courthouse lawn in Vinton.

Lloyd A. Eckhart, 85, died Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at Highland Ridge Care Center, Williamsburg, following an extended illness.

24 hours, 7 days a week also describes the Benton county community's response. That's why 24.7 seemed like a fitting title for a documentary about Vinton's experiences during the flood.

The home at 201 E. Third St. in Vinton that Michelle and Zach Rogers lived in for nine years was the first of 16 flooded homes to be demolished by the city when it came down Thursday.

Plants, parades and music videos will be among the ways Iowa communities commemorate the historic flooding of June 2008.

STARS opened its barn doors in 1984, and now, after 25 years, the organization's countless volunteers continue to give the gift of time to help change the lives of their clients.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has awarded $1.6 million to Vinton toward the cost of acquiring and removing homes continually flooded by the Cedar River and Hinkle Creek.

Federal officials will award more than $1.6 million dollars to the city of Vinton for buyouts.

Vinton Police filed 3 criminal complaints in Benton County Magistrate Court Monday, charging William J. Reese, 58, of Newhall, with Impersonating a Police Officer, and 2 separate counts of Disorderly Conduct.

Arlo Becker hasna t changed much in his a oe50-somea years of racing cars at Hawkeye Downs.

D. Darlene Krug, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Despite the smoke free laws some smokers are puffing away inside Eastern Iowa restaurants and bars and it's legal.