Hampton-Dumont and CAL Superintendent Todd Lettow said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision last week to close schools for the remainder of the school year brought a striking realization for staff.
“We really feel bad for the kids,” he said. “It would’ve been nice to be able to see kids before they left for the summer but that’s not reality right now.”

Hampton Police Chief Robert Schaefer and the department have approached the unusual circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic with a sense of stern understanding.
With new regulations in place regarding gathering sizes (no more than 10 people) and business operations, Schaefer said officers are on the lookout for people who may need a reminder of the rules.

Hamptonites showed signs of love throughout the town last week.
Last week’s window art challenge encouraged residents to put heart decorations in windows to show the love and support for one another.
This was the fourth such challenge. Others included stuff bears and animals, Easter Eggs and rainbows. (Kristi Nixon)
 

When Gov. Reynolds initially requested that schools close for four weeks, the Board of Education and teachers at St. Paul’s Lutheran School agreed to comply with the directive, but they also didn’t want the students to settle for just reviewing material that had been taught so far during the year. A plan was immediately put into place so that there would not be an interruption to the learning.

This year’s winter thaw brought a new sense of optimism for the Franklin County Secondary Roads Department.

The day-to-day uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually all businesses across the area, especially the food service industry.
Several Hampton restaurants have remained open, offering carry-out and delivery services but each day comes with a different outlook.

Signs of the Easter Bunny popped up all throughout Hampton last week.
Colorful eggs and other Easter decorations graced win-dows, porches and trees across town, in celebration of Easter amid the social distancing measures presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citizens were encouraged to leave the festive splashes around town to give passersby a sense of the Easter spirit in the form of an Easter egg hunt.

New rules and regulations have emerged amid the COVID-19 outbreak, but Hampton Christian Daycare Director Robyn Kofoot said the children have taken major adjustments in stride.
“Kids are flexible and resilient,” she said. “They’ve done a great job of going with the flow on this.”

Iowa is one of the top states in the United States for Census 2020 response rate but Franklin County citizens are asked to increase their participation.
According to information released by the Census Bureau, Iowa’s 53.6 percent response rate is tied for fourth best in the United States with Nebraska. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan take the top three spots, respectively.

Hampton-Dumont and CAL teachers and students briefly reunited last week for a show of unity and appreciation.

Rainbows throughout town accented a mostly sunshine filled week last week.
Hamptonites adorned windows and porches with rainbows to greet passersby. This effort was a continuation of the recent challenge to leave bears and stuffed animals within sight from streets and sidewalks.

Hampton City parks will be closed until further notice. Last Tuesday, the City of Hampton issued a statement that all city owned parks and playground equipment will be closed to the public in an effort to promote social distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 outbreak has put a damper on many events and activities in the area, but it hasn’t cancelled the arrival of spring.
With weather warming, sun shining and plants starting to bloom, Franklin County Conservation offers social distancing friendly tips to celebrate all the wonders of spring.

When her academic dream died for the second time in recent months, Iran Carlos packed up her food, her bedding, her household items, and walked beneath two bridges in Washington, D.C., to give everything she had to the homeless.

Franklin County Public Health has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Franklin County.
The department on Sunday issued a release stating that an individual in the 41 to 60 years old age range tested positive for coronavirus and has been self isolating at home.