After their final of year of high school was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School Class of 2020 finally had a little luck in the form of a picture perfect afternoon for the school’s first ever outdoor commencement ceremony Sunday.

The Hampton Farmer’s Market kicked off last week with new guidelines but the same fresh offerings for customers.
Barb Ristau, farmer’s market board member, said three vendors attended the first installation last Tuesday and a steady flow of customers followed.
“I think they pretty much got rid of a lot of stuff,” Ristau said.

The Coulter Freedom Corridor is nearing completion but needs a boost to reach the finish line.
The Freedom Corridor, located on the north edge of town near the Rolling Prairie Trail, contains the Franklin County Freedom Rock, as well as a statue of a large, bronze bald eagle, flag poles and a Howitzer cannon.

Shaggy Hamptonites wasted little time taking advantage of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to reopen barbershops and hair salons effective Friday, May 15.
Most Hampton hair care spots that chose to open immediately had callers eager to book a haircut or style after salons and barbers had been closed for two and a half months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Franklin County Fair Board on Tuesday announced that all non 4-H and FFA activities at this year’s fair have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fair was scheduled for July 15 through July 19.

Photos by Greg Forbes, Kristi Nixon and Becky Fuqua
Revving engines and honking horns replaced the celebratory last school bell for Hampton-Dumont-CAL seniors last Friday.
Friday, May 15 was formally the final day of school for seniors in the district.
Typically, the final days are celebrated with community events and walks through the elementary schools to send off seniors.

The City of Hampton has released plans to reopen the Hampton Public Library, the Hampton Aquatic Center and Hampton City Hall.
City Manager Ron Dunt said that while the plans are in place, they are dependent on mandates handed down by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and will evolve as such.

A new era nearly a year in the making for Hampton Dental has begun.

Last Wednesday, Hampton Dental staff began seeing patients at its new location in downtown Hampton. The new building occupies a previously vacant lot at the corner of First Street NW and First Avenue NW.

Despite the obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School graduating class will still be honored as scheduled.

The amount of positive COVID-19 cases in Franklin County held steady through last week.
Last Monday, Franklin County Public Health announced the county had received confirmation of its seventh positive case. As of Monday, May 18, the case count remains at seven.
Five of the seven cases have reportedly recovered.

The Butler County Fair Board has announced that all non-youth related activities at the 2020 Butler County Fair have been canceled, including all grandstand events, commercial exhibits, the carnival, food vendors and on-grounds free entertainment. Hopes are that the 4-H and FFA shows will still be held.
The 164th Butler County Fair is scheduled for June 24-28.

Appreciation can be shown in many ways, even amid COVID-19 related restrictions, and CAL students recently proved that in spades.

Four Sheffield community churches came together on Tuesday, May 5 to offer a meal for area residents and raise funds for the local food bank.
Hamburgers grilled up by the Franklin County Cattlemen were served up to a line of cars that extended from First Grace Baptist Church all the way downtown as the community fundraiser sought to dish out 1,000 patties.

The lights of the Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School football field last Thursday night provided an illuminated end to a gloomy journey for the 2020 graduating class.
For 20 minutes and 20 seconds, the lights to the field were turned on while high school staff provided anecdotes and messages to seniors via KLMJ Radio. Students were invited to listen to the broadcast at the parking lot in their vehicles.

A road near the Harriman Nielsen Historic Farm property recently received an upgrade to ease frequent flooding issues.
Crews earlier in May worked to pave a previously gravel section of 10th Street NW and add an apron to the road to prevent wash outs. Hampton City Manager said due to a waterway that runs through the road, significant rainfalls would often cause the road to wash out, which would then create rough roads.