News

All non Franklin County Fair 4-H, FFA events cancelled

Published by editor on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 1:28pm

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.

In a release issued Tuesday afternoon, the fair board said the decision to cancel was not made lightly, but was the most logical after consultation with the Association of Iowa Fairs and the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, along with compliance with state and local agencies.

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H-D-CAL seniors celebrate last day with Scoop the Loop

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:16am

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.

With no school in session, seniors and the community collaborated to honor seniors with a “Scoop the Loop” drive through Hampton’s downtown.

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City announces reopening steps for city hall, library, aquatic center

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:12am

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.

The plan to reopen City Hall is broken down into three phases but has no set start date, as staff waits for a permanent glass barrier and door to be installed for added safety. Additional gloves, masks and cleaning supplies must also be procured before the plan begins.

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Hampton Dental celebrates opening of new building in heart of downtown

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:11am

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.

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Modified commencement ceremony scheduled for Sunday

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:05am

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

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Franklin COVID-19 count holds at seven cases

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 9:58am

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.

From Wednesday, April 29, to Monday, May 4, cases rose from two to five. Frank-lin County Public Health reported a sixth positive case on Wednesday, May 6.

Read more about Franklin COVID-19 count holds at seven cases

Butler County Fair grand-stand events cancelled

Published by editor on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 9:57am

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.

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CAL celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week with Zoom meetings, online activities

Published by editor on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 12:10pm

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

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week last week, students conducted a different activity or project each day to share with their teachers. Activities included window decorating with blue paint to show Cadet pride, video messages about what they miss about school, Zoom meetings with teachers and classmates, designing a poster and making chalk art on sidewalks and driveways.

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Sheffield churches organize food bank fundraiser

Published by editor on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 12:07pm

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 community dinner was organized by Mike Mueth, a member of First Grace Baptist that was looking for a way to bring people together during a time when socialization is otherwise limited.

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H-D-CAL graduating class receives messages, encouragement under football field lights

Published by editor on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 12:05pm

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.