Did you know the Franklin Wellness Center started a water aerobics class for children in November?
The group is led by lifeguard Jade Johnson, who's worked at the Wellness Center for the last couple of years, as a way to get kids moving in the water.

The Hansell Fire Department has announced that they'll be holding their third soup supper of the season on Thursday, Jan. 22.
 
The supper, which is being sponsored by United Bank & Trust Company, will be held at Hansell Community Center from 5 to 7 p.m. On the menu for night: chilli, chicken noodle soup, ham and bean soup and vegetable beef soup.
 

Pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.7(3), the City of Hampton and Teamsters Local #238-Police Department will exchange initial proposals at Hampton City Council Chambers on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

 The 2026 Coaches VS Cancer game, organized by Franklin County Relay for Life, is coming up at the end of the month.
 
The game between H-D-CAL and West Fork is set for Saturday, Jan. 24 at West Fork High School. The game will begin at 3:15 p.m.
 

The Hampton Police Department is holding their third citizen's academy starting on Feb. 11.
According to the police department, the citizen's academy was created to provide community members with an inside look into their department while allowing them to ask questions and express ideas with staff. The classes are taught by police officers, city staff and emergency medical staff.

A Coulter man was arrested Friday morning, Jan. 9 after allegedly shooting at two different people in Hampton in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
According to a press release from the Hampton Police Department, Victor Ivan Ferman-Nava, 22, of Coulter is facing charges for intimidation with a dangerous weapon, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and six counts of reckless use of a firearm.

 The Hampton McDonald's team would like to thank the community for voting for their crew room in the 2025 Soifer Merriest Crew Room Contest, which they took first place in.
 

Hampton Senior Center Celebrates January Birthdays
By Jennifer Burnham
Hampton Chronicle
 
The Hampton Senior Citizen Center celebrated all of their January birthdays on Friday, Jan. 9. The birthdays that were celebrated:
 
—Marvel Burmester, Jan. 3
—LaDonna Jorges, Jan. 4
—Kristy Slotness, Jan. 5
—Sharon Nelson, Jan. 6
—Larry Crabtree, Jan. 7
—Dale Haver, Jan. 8

The Friends of the Hampton Public Library and the Windsor Theatre teamed up for a special book-movie challenge this winter.
Community members were encouraged to read "The Housemaid," before watching it at the theatre on Sunday, Jan 4.
Those who borrowed the book from the library received a discount coupon for their movie ticket, which will be reimbursed by the Friends of the Hampton Public Library.

 Dr. Rachael Etnier, who recently went full-time at the Iowa Specialty Clinic, said she loves seeing patients of all ages, especially the elderly.
 
Dr. Etnier, originally from northwest Iowa, told the Chronicle that she wanted to work in medicine to help people.
 

 Sisters-in-law Sarah and Halie Ballard love a good deal. In fact, they love shopping deals so much that they have turned their passion into a growing business, which is headquartered out of Sarah’s basement in Hampton.
 

The recent blizzard brought low visibility, strong winds, snow and icy roads, leaving many stranded and looking for help in Franklin County and throughout the region.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampton Police Department and the Franklin County Emergency Management team, along with many other first responders and community members, came to the rescue once again.

 Tyler Sullivan — the man behind the popular “Iowa Scenic Views by Foot” Facebook page, which has garnered more than 26,000 followers — made a pit stop in Hampton on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3.
 
He was given a tour of the Franklin County Historical Society Museum, the REA Power Plant Museum and the Harriman-Nielsen Historic Farm.
 

The Franklin County Historical Society  received a $5,000 donation from Long Term Medical Supply on Tuesday, Dec. 23.  
Franklin County Historical Society President Jim Davies stated the generous contribution will be used to further enhance the Admiral Leahy exhibit at the Franklin County Historical Museum, located on the Franklin County Fairgrounds.  

First Bank Hampton, on behalf of the A.M. Helen Saylor Foundation, is proud to announce a generous donation of $5,000 to the Windsor Theatre as part of its end-of-year giving.