CAL graduate Natalie Nordlund returned to Latimer on Friday to share with students a children's book she had written to help kids with handling their emotions.
Nordlund has recently released her first book, "My Peaceful Place," an illustrated book designed to help young readers learn calming strategies using their own minds and imaginations.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Rescue members from across the state lined up to pay respects to a fallen Iowa State Patrol Trooper on Friday, October 22.
Trooper Ted Benda, 37, was responding to a call in Clayton County on Thursday, October 14 when he was seriously injured in a car crash. Benda passed away the following Wednesday.

Election Day is fast approaching and could result in some new faces on the Hampton City Council.
Representing Ward 2 on the city council, incumbent Barry Lamos is facing a challenge from newcomer Amanda Fender. Likewise, incumbent At-Large council member Pat Palmer is facing a challenge against Scott Stillwell.

The CAL Community School Board will see some new faces this year. In District 1, Mitch Vanness is not seeking re-election. Bradly Wessels will be running uncontested for that open seat.
In District 2, incumbent Elizabeth Podolan is uncontested in seeking re-election for her seat.

The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board will have two contested elections on the ballot this year as five candidates vie for three open seats.
Two seats will be open in the Hampton Director race. Incumbent Stephanie Powers will be on the ballot along with Elisa Van Wert and Danielle Benavidez to compete for those two seats. Current board member Chad Hanson is not running for re-election.

For the upcoming election in Geneva, it's all but certain that the next mayor will be named Todd.
On paper, incumbent Mayor Todd Olmstead faces a challenge from Todd Pilchard, however there is a chance that both Todds will end up at the city council meetings one way or another.

Music rang through Hampton United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 17 as the congregation celebrated the return of their newly restored pipe organ.
After being out for refurbishing for most of the summer, the church pipe organ has finally been re-installed and is ready to come back into regular use.
"Since June 27 we've been waiting to hear this music," said Pastor Lewis Flanigan.

Maynes Grove Lodge was packed with area property owners on Wednesday, October 13 as interested parties gathered to learn more about plans for a new pipeline that would cross into the county.
Summit Carbon Solutions LLC, an affiliate of Summit Agricultural Group, is proposing the construction of 700 miles of pipeline that would be used to transport excess carbon from Iowa's ethanol plants to an out-of-state storage location.

There has been change in leadership at First Bank Hampton.
As of September 1, Tyler Heeren has been promoted to the position of President at the bank, taking over the role from Dave Heuberger, who has served as First Bank Hampton's President since 2003 and will continue his position as the bank's CEO.

On September 7, 2021, Governor Kim Reynolds inducted former Sukup Manufacturing Co. employee, Warren Van Dyke of Greene, Iowa, into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor is the highest recognition volunteers can receive for volunteer efforts in their communities in the state of Iowa.

St. Paul Lutheran School in Latimer had a major milestone last week as the school celebrated its official accreditation on Thursday, October 7.
"We're pretty excited," said Principal Steve Stortz.

A Hampton-Dumont student is celebrating an outstanding score on his ACT tests.
Marshall Moats, an H-D senior, earned a composite score of 36 on his ACT test. That is the highest possible score achievable, seen by less than one half of one percent of test takers.

A Hampton congregation is in the process of constructing a brand new building for their church.

The Franklin County Arts Council will be presenting "An Evening Like It Used to Be" on Saturday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Windsor Theatre in Hampton. For this special event the FCAC will recreate the entertainment that was presented at the Windsor in the early part of the 20th century. The evening will begin with a performance of the "Windsor Big Band," playing the hit music of the 1930s and 1940s.

After being cooped up last year working on her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, Anne Plagge of Latimer decided she needed a new project to relax with. One that would get her some fresh air and could be used to help out the community.
"I was looking for something I could do to get out of the house this summer," said Plagge.