News

Franklin County sees record voter response in Nov. 3 election

Published by editor on Wed, 11/18/2020 - 2:47pm

Franklin County voters took to the mail and polls in record numbers in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election.

Michelle Giddings, Franklin County Auditor, said voter turnout for the 2020 election hit 77.43 percent of registered voters in Franklin County, eclipsing the 2016 mark of 70.12 percent.

“That’s the most I’ve ever had in the years I’ve been here,” Giddings said. “In the 32 years I’ve been at the auditor’s office, it’s never been higher.”

Giddings said that number included 2,646 absentee ballots, compared to 1,777 in 2016.

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Local elections see newcomers replace longtime incumbents

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:36am

New faces were chosen last Tuesday to take over positions long held by incumbents.

Voters in Franklin, Cerro Gordo and Butler Counties in last Tuesday’s General Election elected Republican Shannon Latham to the Iowa House District 54 seat. Latham beat out Independent candidate Bennett Smith and Democratic candidate Karen Koenig to fill the seat currently held by Republican Linda Upmeyer. First elected to the seat in 2002, Upmeyer earlier this year announced she would not seek reelection.

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H-D, CAL cautiously remain on-site

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:34am

The Hampton-Dumont and CAL Community School Districts will remain fully on-site but school officials are keeping an eye on rising COVID-19 cases in the area.

Superintendent Todd Lettow said cases within the buildings have remained low enough and without proven spread where administration felt comfortable to remain in the on-site model.

“At this point, there has never been a case that has been contact traced within the school,” he said. “Every case that’s been here at the school, they did not get the virus in school.

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On Being Earnest at HD

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:31am

This year’s Hampton-Dumont-CAL fall production combines the stage and screen into one night.

This weekend, the H-D-CAL drama department will present a live performance of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a comedy set in Victorian London.

Prior to the live play will be two recorded Carol Barnett comedy sketches.

Tammy Morris, director, said this year’s format was done to satisfy social distancing guidelines in place by the school and state while giving as many students as possible the chance to act.

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Rockwell bridge projects on track for November completion

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:28am

Construction on three bridges in the Rockwell area is drawing to an end.

Pete Hjelmstad, field services coordinator with the Iowa Department of Transportation, said the three bridge replacement projects on Highway 65 through Rockwell “remain on schedule” for later this month.

“We’re still looking at mid- to late-November,” he said, regarding a completion date.

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Area elementary students participate in virtual harvest via FarmChats

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:24am

Local agricultural professionals recently gave area students a look into the ins-and-outs of the industry.

In celebration of American Education Week last month, Franklin County Farm Bureau and North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom sponsored a series of Farm-Chats, which brought area farmers into the classroom via livestream.

The FarmChats were this year’s Ag in the Classroom activities, as the regular on-site visits and demonstrations could not be held due to COVID-19.

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Local 4-H chapters gather perishable goods for statewide competition

Published by editor on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 11:21am

Local 4-H chapters are teaming together to collect food for those in need and are asking for the public’s help.

Throughout the state, chapters in all 99 counties are working to raise 10,000 non-perishable food items to donate to food banks in communities across Iowa.

Rebekah Craighton, 4-H State Council Franklin County Representative, said that means 4-H clubs are challenged to raise 100 items as a county. She said Franklin County clubs are well on their way to the goal, already collecting 25-plus items within the first two days.

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Trace Adkins to perform at 2021 Franklin County Fair

Published by editor on Tue, 11/10/2020 - 12:32pm

The Franklin County Fair Board on Tuesday announced that country music legend Trace Adkins will perform at the 2021 Franklin County Fair in Hampton.

Adkins, who has been in the music scene for 25 years and has amassed 20 chart topping singles, will headline the grandstand on Friday, July 16.

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Body located in vehicle identified as Ethan Kazmerzak

Published by admin on Thu, 11/05/2020 - 8:13am

The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner has officially identified human remains found in rural Hampton as Ethan Kazmerzak.

Kazmerzak went missing in the early morning of Sept. 15, 2013 and was last seen driving a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. An independent dive team, Adventures with Purpose, located the vehicle in a pond northwest of Hampton last Monday. Several law enforcement agencies last Tuesday recovered the vehicle and located remains inside, which were sent to the State Medical Examiner for identification.

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Will operate out of Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home on Highway 65

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2020 - 10:40am

Sietsema Family Monument Sales now has a new home in Hampton.

Patrick Sietsema, owner, recently moved the business into the newly opened Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home on Highway 65 between Wood Vision Clinic and Pralle City Wash.

Sietsema started the monument service in the fall of 1999 and moved to its former location at the corner of Highways 3 and 65 in Hampton. Sietsema said he had the opportunity to sell the former property and move to the new funeral home as a part owner.