The Hampton City Council discussed water rates, cable service, and street projects during their workshop meeting on Monday, May 9.
Matt Stoffel of PFM was at the meeting to go over options for increasing the city's water rates. It has been at least two decades since the last increase to water rates, which has left the city unable to pay for the ongoing expenses of the water system with existing revenue.

Advocates for Public Health Spanish Interpreter Veronica Guerrero continued to press the county to keep her position available during the regular meeting of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on Monday, May 9.

The CAL Community School Board decided to buy and sell some vehicles during a special Zoom meeting at noon on Friday, April 29.
At the meeting, the board approved the purchase of a 2022 2500 Tradesman Regular Cab Truck from Dale Howard Inc. for $43,820. The truck will include a blade for snow removal, adding an additional $10,500, bringing the total to $54,320.

Dick Lukensmeyer of Hampton Travel Planner has decided that it's time to start winding down, announcing that he will be stepping away from the travel business later this year.
For about 35 years Lukensmeyer has been arranging travel packages for area sightseers, watching as the industry has changed and adapted to new avenues of travel.
"We've sent people to every continent in the world," said Lukensmeyer.

Hampton Mayor Russell Wood presided over his final city council meeting on Thursday, April 28.
At the meeting, the council approved an amendment for the proposal from SVPA Architects Design Services for the city hall remodeling project. The amendment will cover additional design costs amounting to a total of $14,700.
The council plans to award a contract for the project during the May 12 meeting.

The Hampton-Dumont Fifth Grade celebrated their D.A.R.E. graduation on Tuesday, April 12.
The program began with opening comments from Principal Tony Spradlin and Police Chief Robert Schaefer, who thanked all of the parents, teachers, staff, and other role models that came together to make the program.

Hampton's Hispanic community has come out in droves to advocate for someone who has long advocated for them.

Kelsey Card was told she would be on medication for life. She was told she needed to have surgery to remove an eight centimeter mass and reconstruct her intestines from Crohn’s disease. Now, two and half years later, medication and surgery free, she’s healing from it all, and is helping others find their own journey to healing. Card opened God Fuel to share her knowledge and teach others ways to eat healthy.

The Hampton Tree Board visited Harriman Park on Monday, April 25 for some delayed Earth Day planting. The board planted eight new trees at the park, including a Walnut tree and several Swamp Burr Oaks, which are well suited to the park's tendency to accumulate water.
"They can be under water for three to four weeks at a time," said Sanders.

UNION – While the war in Ukraine rages on, The Outreach Program in Union is stepping up and doing something to help – they are sending meals to the Ukrainians.
One million of these meals have already been flown into Germany and have been distributed in Kiev, said The Outreach Program’s Vice President of Sales Sarah Bradley. In total, 3.3 million will be sent by Mother’s Day.

The Hampton City Council interviewed two candidates that have applied to be appointed as Mayor during their regular workshop on Monday, April 25.
With Mayor Russell Wood stepping down at the end of the month, the city council has been seeking volunteers to complete Wood's term, which will run through November of 2023.

H-D student Lydia Maas has entered higher office. The Sophomore Class President has been named Vice-President Elect to the Iowa Association of Student Council, a board that oversees student councils in different districts across the state.
"They do a lot of incredible things for us," said Maas.

The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board approved the 2022-23 budget and signed on a new principal during their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 13.
The meeting began with back-to-back public hearings for the 2022-23 budget and amendment to the 2021-22 budget. With no public comments, the hearings were closed and the meeting continued.

The Hampton City Council talked street closures, stop signs, and road work during their regular meeting on Thursday, April 14.

The Franklin County Area Chamber of Commerce has a new Executive Director.
Bill Hittle is taking over the position from retiring director Newton Grotzinger and has spent the last week learning the ins and outs of Franklin County's business community.