News

Fire department uses controlled burn for practice

Published by editor on Wed, 08/12/2020 - 10:31am

The Hampton Fire Department performed a controlled burn at 404 Third Street SW on Monday, Aug. 10.

Not only does the controlled burn rid the city of a nuisance property, it also gives the firefighters the opportunity to practice with their equipment in a real-life fire environment.

“We have a lot of new guys so this is the first fire for some of them,” said Fire Chief Kent Wilkinson. “And we have the new truck, so we got to see how it works.”

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Former CAL paraeducator Craighton takes over as Farm to School coordinator

Published by editor on Wed, 08/12/2020 - 10:29am

The beginning of Jill Craighton’s tenure as CAL’s Farm to School coordinator began with a boost from the USDA.

The CAL Community School District recently received an $80,920 Farm to School grant through the USDA to benefit the school’s growing program, which includes livestock and garden beds on school grounds. The majority of the grant will help cover salary costs for the instructor position as well as help the program strive towards self-sustainability.

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Rising cases, “red zone” classification lead to plea for public to wear face coverings

Published by editor on Wed, 08/05/2020 - 9:55am

Increased COVID-19 cases and a rise in confirmed deaths in Franklin County led Hampton Mayor Russell Wood to lead last Thursday’s Hampton City Council meeting off with an urge to citizens to wear protective face masks.

Wood’s proclamation de-tailed the impact of the novel coronavirus nationally, statewide and locally, citing that Franklin County as of last Thursday had more than 200 confirmed cases and four deaths.

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Senator Grassley discusses second CARES package in Cerro Gordo County

Published by editor on Wed, 08/05/2020 - 9:52am

Sen. Charles Grassley visited Cerro Gordo County on Friday, July 31 to meet with constituents while on a brief break from his work in the United States Senate.

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Hampton Farmer’s Market invites shoppers to celebrate Farmer’s Market Week

Published by editor on Wed, 08/05/2020 - 9:47am

This year’s National Farmers Market week brings added meaning, as producers and customers alike are searching for normalcy amid an abnormal time.

National Farmers Market Week kicked off Monday as a celebration of producers who work year-round to grow, harvest and sell fruits, vegetables, herbs and handmade goods.

Marie Boyd, Healthy Harvest of North Iowa Executive Director, said that while Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how vital farmers markets can be to a community.

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Franklin County Family Focus, 5-2-1-0 team up for summer challenge

Published by editor on Wed, 08/05/2020 - 9:45am

As families continue to isolate with one another amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Franklin County group is working to offer affordable summer fun.

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U.S. Senator visits Hampton last Saturday, meets with local business owners

Published by editor on Wed, 08/05/2020 - 9:41am

Hampton business owners Saturday had the chance to show United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) firsthand the impact COVID-19 has had on their operations.

Ernst, along with Iowa House District 54 Representative Linda Upmeyer, visited downtown Hampton Saturday as part of Ernst’s 99 county tour through Iowa. Ernst said she was in town to speak with business owners in rural Iowa and see how they have adapted amid the pandemic.

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Franklin County Relay For Life events raise over $56,000 to fight cancer

Published by editor on Wed, 07/29/2020 - 10:03am

Friday night’s Franklin County Relay For Life events at Hampton-Dumont High School raised additional funds to help fight cancer.

The events began with a sack dinner to-go meal that was provided for a free will offering. The Franklin County Cattlemen grilled hamburgers, which were included as part of the meal.

Proceeds from the event, which was held prior to a car cruise and scavenger hunt throughout the county, amounted to over $1,500.

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Franklin County Historic Preservation Society receives grant for R.E.A. Plant designation

Published by editor on Wed, 07/29/2020 - 9:59am

A piece of national history in Franklin County recently received a major push towards increased preservation.

The Franklin County Historic Preservation Society on July 14 was awarded a $17,085 grant through the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ annual grant program to award money to projects that invest in art, history, quality of life and economic growth. The grant will be used to apply for a National Historical Landmark designation for the R.E.A. Power Plant Museum south of Hampton.

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Recent H-D-CAL grad receives Iowa Restaurant Foundation scholarship

Published by editor on Wed, 07/29/2020 - 9:56am

Erin Plagge didn’t need long in the culinary programs at Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School to know she found her life’s calling.

Plagge, a 2020 H-D-CAL grad, will attend Iowa State University in the fall to study Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education and Studies in hopes to becoming a high school FCS instructor.