Vinton Newspapers

The 2026 season came to a close for the Benton softball team Saturday, after the Lady’ Cats were eliminated in the Reginonal semifinals by number one ranked Williamsburg Raiders, 8-0. This came after Benton came from behind the defeat Eagle Grove in the first round, 5-3. Benton snatched the lead late in their 5-3 victory over Eagle Grove on Thursday. The game was tied at three in the bottom of the sixth when Marissa Nolte doubled, scoring two runs.

PALO — On Saturday 7/11/2026 at approximately 1903 hrs., Linn County Sheriff Deputies, Linn County Conservation, Palo Fire and Area Ambulance were dispatched to a personal injury motor vehicle accident at 2155 Covington Rd south of Palo. Upon arrival responding units discovered a 2000 Honda 400EX ATV operated by Bryce Tamayo (25) of Cedar Rapids had rolled and Tamayo had been thrown from the ATV.

DUBUQUE — Loras College has announced the names of students who earned a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in 2026. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR(S), HONORS (if listed), HIGH SCHOOL (if listed) Walford, IA Lauren Keiper, BS, Neuroscience and Religious Studies, Cum Laude, Prairie High School

On Saturday 7/11/2026 at approximately 0900 hours, Linn County Sheriff Deputies, Linn County Rescue 57, Center Point Fire, and Center Point Ambulance were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of N Center Point Road and Cummings Ford Road. Chloe Loyd (24) of Center Point was traveling southbound on N Center Point Road in a red 2011 Ford Explorer.

DYSART, IOWA — Engines will rumble and Main Street will shine as the Dysart Chamber of Commerce hosts the 24th Annual Dysart Car, Truck & Bike Show on Friday, July 17, in downtown Dysart. A favorite summer tradition for more than two decades, the event attracts car enthusiasts and families from across Iowa for an evening of classic cars, custom trucks, motorcycles, great food, and small-town fun. Vehicle registration begins at 4:00 p.m. and is $20 per entry.

Damontre Tairice Burt (34), William Rashad Burt (32), London Willis Walker (32), Treshundus Kentrelle Redd (23), Zavyon Brian Nix (28), and Asa Louis Crawford (20) have all been charged with Rioting (Class D Felony), 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief (Class D Felony), and Interference with Official Acts (Serious Misdemeanor) stemming from an incident that took place in the Black Hawk County Jail on July 7, 2026. At approximately 5:00 pm on July 7, the inmates refused orders to return to their cells.

MOUNT VERNON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host two virtual public meetings on July 16th to discuss the Palisades-Kepler Dam Engineering Design Project. There is a daytime option at 10:00 a.m. and an evening option at 5:30 p.m. The Palisades–Kepler Dam, constructed in 1936, has been the site of numerous drownings and poses ongoing public safety risks.

DES MOINES — Polk County District Court today scheduled a full-day evidentiary hearing for July 21, 2026 in the legal challenge brought by Libertarian gubernatorial candidates Nicholas Gluba and Jules Cutler after the State Objection Panel voted to remove them from Iowa’s 2026 general election ballot. During today’s hearing, the judge determined the case will proceed to a full evidentiary hearing in district court rather than returning to the State Objection Panel.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Christine Landa, president of Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Junior Achievement USA® Charles R. Hook Award. This distinguished award is presented annually to a JA Area president who demonstrates exceptional leadership and outstanding achievement in advancing the mission and growth of Junior Achievement.

DES MOINES— Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) is demanding the WNBA better protect West Des Moines native Caitlin Clark, arguing that the league has failed to adequately safeguard one of the biggest stars in professional sports and the face of women’s basketball.