Katelyn Baltes’ first year in a new career comes with a prominent sense of familiarity.
Baltes, a 2016 Hampton-Dumont High School graduate, has returned to H-D as the new high school art instructor this year. In just her short time back, Baltes has encountered the hospitality and care she remembers from her time as a student.

Doug Humrichouse can’t help but find humor in his return to the education field.

Despite months of uncertainty, the Iowa cattle industry and supporters came together on August 15 for the 38th annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show. This year’s event raised over $254,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Community members and students can now workout while enjoying the sights along the Rolling Prairie Trail through Hampton.
Last month, the Hampton-Dumont Middle School in-stalled workout equipment on cement pads along the trail that leads from the middle school building to the Roll-ing Prairie Trail.
The six machines are designed to work out various parts of the body, such as biceps, legs and abdomens.

A love of animals, art and a vibrant splash of creativity allowed a Hampton-Dumont graduate to illustrate her first children’s book.
Kara Hoegh, a 2011 H-D grad, provided the art for “I Call You Noodle,” a book written by Greenfield, Iowa native Rachel Wallace.

A new tattoo studio and art gallery in Hampton wouldn’t have been possible without a series of coincidences.
Ian Foley, of Iowa Falls, and Hampton native, Hope (Paine) Polk, are working to renovate the former Abbott Realty building to accommodate Foley Ink’d, which will contain Foley’s tattoo operation, an art gallery of Foley’s and other artists’ works and a meeting space.

The Hampton State Farm office made sure students at Hampton-Dumont-CAL schools have the supplies they need as the school year starts.

Tall Corn FFA members last week were finally able to celebrate an abbreviated year of accomplishments.
Last Tuesday, the Tall Corn FFA chapter hosted its annual awards banquet, which is usually held in March. The event was postponed shortly before the original scheduled date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A looming drought and a historic windstorm have threatened to wipe out a perfect start to the growing season in the area.
According to the United States Drought Monitor, updated last Thursday, most of Franklin County is listed as D1, or in a moderate drought.

The love of food for an area restaurant’s staff recently translated to a helping hand for a portion of Iowa ravaged by an unprecedented storm.
Last Friday, representatives of Community Bowl in Dumont traveled to Cedar Rapids with a pickup truck full of supplies and six volunteers ready to serve meals for citizens and those helping with the relief effort.

A collective movement to provide healthy, fun activities to the community recently received another round of funding.
The Iowa Council of Governments, through the Iowa Legislature, recently awarded communities funding for their individual 5-2-1-0 projects, which aim to promote healthier and more active lifestyles within their communities.

En esta época del año, los jefes de los departamentos de Hampton-Dumont y CAL, por lo general, están haciendo los ajustes finales en las mejoras de las instalaciones, pero el Director de Mantenimiento Marlin Smith puede testificar que el período previo al nuevo año escolar ha sido todo menos habitual.

Area students took to the sky for some end of summer entertainment.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Franklin County last Wednesday and Thursday hosted a “Things That Fly Camp” for area students.
Over the two day camp, students learned about rocket flight, efforts of NASA and native birds, all with the purpose of getting an insight to how encompassing the term “flight” can be.

Lydia Davis saw an unfortunate, unfathomable and heart-breaking new view of her hometown of Cedar Rapids last week.

An end is in sight for detours caused by bridge construction throughout the area.
Pete Hjelmstad, Field Services Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said that construction on two bridges on Highway 65 through Hampton are expected to be completed by mid-October.