News

Gran Festival returns to Hampton

Published by admin on Wed, 06/30/2021 - 9:23am

Cloudy skies couldn't stop the fun in Hampton on Saturday as the community flocked to Band Shell Park for the fifth Gran Festival celebration.

Organized by La Luz Centro Cultural, the event was an all-day celebration of Hampton's Hispanic population as the community came together to enjoy food and music in the park. Though there were a few sprinkles and some overcast skies, the weather didn't seem to suppress the turnout as people came and went throughout the day.

Read more about Gran Festival returns to Hampton

Hampton Council votes to remove dog after bite

Published by admin on Wed, 06/30/2021 - 9:21am

The Hampton City Council addressed another dog incident during their regular meeting on Thursday, June 24.

At the meeting, the council held a public hearing regarding a bite incident that happened on June 9.

According to Officer Mike Halsne, the Hampton Police Department was called at approximately 8:15 a.m. in response to a dog bite incident. The dog, owned by Aryel LaRue, had gotten loose and crossed the street where neighboring children were playing. In the process of protecting one of the younger children, young Brian Montes was bitten on the arm.

Read more about Hampton Council votes to remove dog after bite

Hampton neighborhood impacted after dog chases mail carrier

Published by editor on Wed, 06/16/2021 - 12:00pm

A southwest Hampton neighborhood has lost to-the-door delivery of their mail following a recent dog incident and there seems to be few viable options left to resolve the situation.

On Wednesday, May 19, Hampton Police received a report of loose dogs chasing down United States Postal Service carrier Lessie Love. Two dogs, belonging to Jenny Turner of SW Hampton, were involved. Of those dogs, one had previously bitten that same carrier last year.

Read more about Hampton neighborhood impacted after dog chases mail carrier

La Luz preparing for the return of Gran Festival

Published by editor on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 11:06am

The summer events in Hampton will continue next week as La Luz Centro hosts its fifth Gran Festival, bringing the cultural celebration back to the community after having to cancel last year's event due to the pandemic.

"We're excited to have that milestone and to be able to have the community event again," said Associate Director Aimee Lenth.

Read more about La Luz preparing for the return of Gran Festival

Hampton names June's Image of Pride winner

Published by editor on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 11:05am

Beyond discussing the mail delivery situation in SW Hampton, the Hampton City Council addressed regular items of business during their meeting on Thursday, June 10.

At the meeting, council member Steve Birdsall presented his nomination for June's Image of Pride Award. Birdsall selected a 2nd Ave NW property owned by BP Rentals and rented by tenant Katelyn Elscott as this month's recipient based on the work that both owner and tenant have done in sprucing the property up.

"He did significant upgrades," said Birdsall. "It just looks good sitting there."

Read more about Hampton names June's Image of Pride winner

CAL to remove Spring Break from calendar

Published by editor on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 11:02am

The CAL Community School Board will be making another change to the upcoming school calendar.

At their regular meeting on Monday, June 14, the board scheduled another public hearing to amend the 2021-22 school year calendar. The original calendar included a week off for Spring Break, operating under the assumption that the state would allow snow days to effectively be eliminated through virtual learning. Without the need to account for missed days due to hazardous weather, the extra flexibility allowed for a week of Spring Break.

Read more about CAL to remove Spring Break from calendar

Movies return to the Windsor Theatre

Published by editor on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 10:57am

The Windsor Theatre premiered their first public showing of a recent movie release after more than a year on hiatus on Friday, June 11.

With movie showings canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre screen has seen little use over the last year. Independent films were shown last June and the theater tried running classic movies in July, but low attendance due to the pandemic put regularly scheduled movies on hold.

That changed on Friday with the premiere of Disney's "Cruella."

Read more about Movies return to the Windsor Theatre

Elizabeth Lyons performs for Tuesday on the Town

Published by editor on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 10:54am

Tuesdays on the Town continued in Hampton last week as people came out to Band Shell Park for dinner and a show.

Showcasing last week's show was Elizabeth Lyons a rising vocalist with some local roots. Lyon's mother grew up in Mason City and her family still has farmland in the area.

"I grew up coming here over summers so it's special to come back to Iowa to play a show," said Lyons.

Read more about Elizabeth Lyons performs for Tuesday on the Town

First antiques, second ceramics

Published by editor on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 10:23am

There is more than vintage knick-knacks at First and Second Vintage in downtown Hampton.

In addition to the restored furniture and handcrafted décor, the business also serves as a ceramic workshop for the community.

Run by Jerre Grefe, this store has been part of Hampton’s specialty shops since November of 2017. Originally run by Grefe and two others, she now operates the entire shop on her own.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of love,” Grefe said.