Intermittent rain plagued the opening days of the Franklin County Fair, but the skies cleared late Thursday and fairgoers enjoyed ideal weather conditions all the way through to the close of the fair Sunday night. 
 

Those petunias don’t water themselves
 

If you were at the Franklin County fair this year you may have observed chainsaw artist Gary Keenan of Carving by Keenan of Des Moines in the act of carving one of twenty sculptures over the five days of the fair. The carving is an annual tradition at the fair, after which on the last day the carved pieces are auctioned off to the highest bidder to fund fair expenses.

Visitors and talent at the 2023 Franklin County Fair are in for a real treat this year as they will be enjoying a major grandstand lighting and electrical upgrade courtesy of the Franklin County Fair Foundation, the Franklin County Fair Board, Musco Lighting, Mid-American Energy and A & M Electric.

The Hampton Municipal Band with fifty members of all ages under the direction of Chris Sauke played Band Shell on July 3rd as a compliment to the Hampton Rotary and Chamber of Commerce sponsored Independence Day fireworks later that evening. 
 

The Kiwanis Club of Hampton has made a $10,000 donation to the Franklin Wellness Center R3 Capital Campaign which is seeking to raise $1,000,000 “to Refresh, Renew and Reenergize the Franklin Wellness Center.” The campaign had raised $800,000 by the beginning of June according to FWC Director Luke Ross, who is pictured accepting a ceremonial check from Kiwanis Club of Hampton President Belen Krabbe and Treasurer Kent Mollenbeck June 27th. 

Two vehicles collided north of Hampton at 190th st and Highway 65 at appx 1am Saturday, leaving one driver dead and sending another to the hospital.
 
According to trooper Ben Miller of the Iowa State Patrol and an accident report filed early Saturday, it appears that a 2017 Subaru WRX which was traveling eastbound on 190th st, ran the stop sign and broadsided a 2015 Jeep Cherokee traveling south on HWY 65.
 

Tuesday June 27th didn’t start out looking so good for Tuesday on the Town, the popular concert series held in June in central Hampton.

Kim Brocka and her home were the winners of Hampton’s June’s Image of Pride award given to one homeowner per month by the City of Hampton from June through August, “who consistently demonstrates the model example of exceptional exterior maintenance and/or improvement of their property,” in hopes that “recognition of their efforts will inspire others in Hampton to achieve their own Image of Pride.” Kim and her home were nominated for the distin

Sheffield’s police Chief search is over with the hiring of local resident and 2001 West Fork graduate Andrew O’Connor. The city had advertised the opening for the Chief’s job on April 28th of this year. O’Connor was sworn in on June 20th, and fills the position left vacant by the departure of Ed Walthall of Mason City.
 

The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on June 20th at 9:42 pm at a residence in Sheffield and left one man dead. Authorities have yet to release the name of the officer involved and are withholding video evidence from the public and media. 
 

CENTRO Incorporated held a ribbon cutting and luncheon for the grand opening of their Hampton facility June 14th in Hampton’s Industrial Park. CENTRO is a rotational molding leader based in North Liberty Iowa that operates out of 10 locations, including their facility at 1235 Imperial Road in Hampton.
 

H-D-CAL Boys Golf and Booster Club held a fundraiser at Fareway in Hampton on Thursday, June 15th The fundraiser was scheduled from 11-1pm or until the food ran out. The team was selling a lunch with a Windsor Chop, chips, cookie and a water for $8, according to coach Kyle O'Brien who will be continuing with the program through the next year. The 6oz Windsor Chops served were smoked chops coming hot off the grill and fresh from Fareway.

A Hampton woman has been charged with a felony drug offense, and a man is facing a felony ID theft charge after a search warrant was served at a residence Thursday.
 
At approximately 10 p.m., Hampton Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office searched 615 Central Ave. W. Jessica Lynn Vega, 38, was inside the residence with more than a small quantity of drug items.
 

June 20th is shaping up to be another great night in Hampton with KLMJ’s hosting of singer Eric Burgett at the bandshell, followed by Hampton’s Municipal Band. The festivities will kick off with a sponsored meal served at 5:30 pm followed by Burgett.