The New Year brings a new sense of anticipation for community leaders.
While city governments operate on a fiscal scale, from July to the end of June the following year, officials still welcome the turn of the calendar as a chance to restart and refocus.

An area businesswoman has thrown her hat in the ring for the Iowa House District 54 election in November.
Shannon Latham, a Republican from Sheffield and Vice President of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, announced last week that she will run for the position currently held by Linda Upmeyer, who will not seek reelection.

Clear Lake City Councilman Bennett Smith has announced his candidacy for the Iowa Legislature. This fall he will run as an Independent candidate for the House District 54 seat being vacated by Linda Upmeyer.
“I want to offer my thanks to Speaker Linda Upmeyer for her service in the Iowa legislature representing North Iowa and wish her well with her future endeavors,” said Smith in a prepared statement.

As she readied for Thanksgiving festivities on Nov. 27, rural Hampton resident Martha Elaine Wallace received the first of two phone calls that would eventually bring closure to her and her family.

Presidential hopeful Tom Steyer met with potential supporters in Hampton on Saturday, January 4 for a meet-and-greet at Rustic Brew.
Though delayed by poor roads, Steyer was met by a packed room of locals interested in asking questions of the candidate and seeing what he has to say about the issues of the day.

With the 2020 Iowa Legislative session beginning next week, two area representatives took time Saturday to sound off on issues they anticipate seeing in the coming months.

The West Fork Middle School seventh grade social studies class staged its annual Festival of Nations Friday morning in the school’s north gym.
Instructor Terri Anderson said that 58 students took part in the program.

The Hampton City Council held their last meeting of the year on Monday, December 23 at City Hall.
At the meeting, the council looked forward to the New Year. In particular, how the city will fill the various volunteer boards and commissions in the New Year.

A new business is ready to open downtown to offer Hampton shoppers a wide array of clothing, decorations and more.
On January 4, Sara Holze will open The Blooming Sun-flower Boutique in the former Korner Bakery building. Sun-flowers and Stardust Boutique previously occupied the space.

This Sunday will mark the end of a storied era for an Alexander church.
At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, the church will hold decommissioning service for the Alexander United Methodist Church. The service will include worship, a time of prayer and praise, communion and an address by Carol Kress, the district superintendent. Mementos, books and pictures will also be out for congregation members to see.

Added touches to a hallway at North Side Elementary School give students to stimulate their senses while “getting the wiggles out.”

Santa arrived early for children and families in need in the Hampton area.
The Hampton Rotary Club last Thursday distributed presents as part of its annual Operation Santa toy drive. Rotary president Dan Hanson said this year, the project served 70 families and 193 children.

A chilly morning, holiday tunes and classic Christmas characters provided the perfect backdrop for a growing winter tradition throughout the area.
Last Thursday morning, Iowa Select Farms’ Operation Holiday Meal stopped in Hampton to distribute 1,000 five-pound pork loins as part of the company’s effort to donate 18,000 loins at 14 locations throughout its coverage area.

In the United States, those that celebrate Christmas are used to bright lights, extravagantly decorated trees, large meals and presents under the tree. This time of year, people celebrate the holiday with a host of traditions and customs that have been passed down through many generations to the point where they are commonplace in United States culture.

Franklin REC recently welcomed the next step in its efforts to increase the use of solar energy in the county.
On Dec. 3, REC hosted an open house and ribbon cutting for three new solar arrays. Franklin REC General Manager Becky Bradburn said the three arrays have been in the works since 2016, when Basin Electric Power Cooperative was offering an incentive to purchase energy produced out of renewable energy.