September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and at Hampton-Dumont High School, a group of students is working to make sure their classmates know there is someone they can turn to.

The Hampton-Dumont Hope Squad was started last year and currently has eight student members.

Senior Kenley Hansen and sophomore Nora Dunnwald are among those students.

The Kiwanis Club of Hampton's rescheduled scholarship cookout fundraiser will be held Monday, September 28, in the Fareway parking lot. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The $6 meal includes a grilled pork tenderloin sandwich, chips, a cookie and water. An additional sandwich may be purchased for $3.

Proceeds will support the Kiwanis Club of Hampton's scholarship program.

In a letter received Monday by Hampton Mayor Steve Birdsall, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) informed the City of Hampton that it intends to conditionally award the city a Community Catalyst and Building Remediation Grant of up to $100,000.

The grant award is conditional upon IEDA receiving mutually agreed-upon project scope, design renderings and documentation of the required matching funds.

The Ackley Heritage Center will open the doors to its Settlement on the Prairie this Saturday for its annual fall open house.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 Grundy Street in Ackley, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Sheffield City Council will revisit the placement of two stop signs on Maple Street after a resident raised concerns about traffic and noise during Wednesday’s meeting.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hampton will host a tailgate fundraiser meal on Friday, October 2, prior to the Hampton-Dumont-CAL Homecoming football game against Denver.

Serving will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the social hall of St. Patrick Catholic Church, located across the street east of the high school football field.

First Bank Hampton has donated $25,000 to the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to support the organization’s purchase of its new office location. The contribution reflects the bank’s continued commitment to local organizations that strengthen Franklin County and help area businesses and communities thrive.

The historic Windsor Theatre in Hampton is temporarily closed since Monday (9/21/26)  as contractors work to replace the auditorium’s failing plaster ceiling. The Windsor Theatre Development Corporation hired Pro Wall Construction to tear out the existing plaster ceiling and install drywall across the entire auditorium. Construction is expected to take up to eight weeks, during which all movie screenings will be suspended.

Downtown Hampton was once again decorated with colorful hanging flower baskets this summer, thanks to a community effort involving the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Hampton-Dumont-CAL FFA students, the City of Hampton, local businesses and numerous volunteers.

A total of 33 hanging flower baskets were displayed downtown this year, marking the fourth year of the project.

HAMPTON — Community members and local businesses gathered at the Hampton Country Club on Friday, September 18th, to tee off for a cause that touches lives across all generations.

The Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has officially moved into its new downtown location, with the chamber celebrating the move Tuesday.

The chamber is now located at 116 1st Ave. NW, moving from its former office at 5 1st St. SW.

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors has completed the second-tier canvass of results from the Sept. 8 special election.

Supervisors approved a resolution during Tuesday’s regular meeting, certifying the results of the Hampton-Dumont Community School District’s public measure. The measure asked voters to continue the district’s voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax for up to 10 years.

The Hampton City Council recognized Doug and Robyn Pralle Monday for their volunteer work and contributions at the Hampton Municipal Airport.

The Pralles recently donated landscaping work at the airport entrance, helping improve the appearance of the entrance at the airport.

Mayor Steve Birdsall and Airport Manager Jay Schumann thanked the Pralles for their work.

Golfing FORE Autism–Lucas’ Steps of Sheffield has now raised more than $625,000 in support of Els for Autism since joining the Els for Autism Golf Challenge in 2011.

A Hampton man and a passenger were taken to the hospital following a rollover crash Thursday afternoon.

The Hampton Police Department says 84-year-old Don Moore was southbound on Highway 65, or 4th Street Northeast, around 1:46 p.m. when his 2022 Buick Encore crossed the centerline and struck the north side of the bridge rail in the 300 block.