A Hampton resident is asking city officials to move forward with a revised chicken ordinance after the city council failed to approve changes earlier this year.

Three West Fork High School dance team members will compete Thursday in the Iowa State Dance Team Association’s State Solo Qualifier in Pella.

Nahla Wilson, Adra Johnson and Emerli Johnson have been preparing for the Oct. 22 competition, where they’ll compete for a spot in the state finals. The West Fork dancers are hoping to finish in the top 10 for the third consecutive year.

Hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries in Franklin County are facing changes to their health or prescription coverage for 2027, as Medicare open enrollment gets underway.

The Iowa Insurance Division says more than 87,000 Medicare beneficiaries statewide received notice that their current plan is being canceled or will no longer be offered in their county. That includes an estimated 356 people in Franklin County.

Franklin County supervisors on Tuesday, October 20, approved a budget amendment that adds $808,657 in spending to the county’s 2026-27 budget. The amendment also raises budgeted revenue by $631,320.

No one spoke at a public hearing on the amendment before the vote.

GENEVA — Carlson Tree Farm donated a sycamore tree to support community improvement efforts in Geneva, with Ben and Mike Carlson planting the tree on the east side of the gym at Geneva school.

The donation came after members of the Carlson family noticed efforts to remove dead trees from the school grounds. The family wanted to contribute by planting a new tree.

LATIMER — Pastor Joseph Dunnwald has been unanimously approved for ordination into the United Church of Christ, marking a significant milestone in his ministry and a journey that has spanned approximately a decade.

HAMPTON — Vocal ensembles gathered Monday, Oct. 19, for the Fall Festival of Choirs, presenting a variety of musical selections under the direction of Elizabeth Nannenga.

The concert began at 6:30 p.m. and featured Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, 7/8th Treble Choir and 7/8th Bass Choir. The program included classical selections, contemporary pieces and music highlighting different vocal styles.

HAMPTON — Franklin Country View has been recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as a High Performing Facility and has qualified for the agency’s new Risk-Based Survey program.

The Hampton Police Department has added a new officer, with Fernando Mota-Rojas beginning his position earlier this fall.

Mota-Rojas is a 2025 Hampton-Dumont graduate who attended North Iowa Area Community College, where he went through the building trades program and played soccer. He says his decision to pursue law enforcement came after college.

The #9 (A) West Fork Warhawks are district champions for the first time in school history following a victory over West Hancock on Friday night.

Wednesday marks 60 years since a devastating tornado tore through Belmond, killing six people, injuring more than 170 and damaging or destroying about 75 businesses and 600 homes.

The tornado struck on a humid Friday afternoon during homecoming week in 1966, shortly before 3 p.m., just after the homecoming parade had ended.

The Sheffield City Council is accepting bids of at least $4,000 for city-owned property at 112 Gilman Street.

The Dumont City Council has approved an Iowa Department of Transportation request to close Cedar Avenue beginning Oct. 19.

The closure will affect Cedar Avenue from West Broadway Street to Highway 3 on the west side of town. The closure could continue into the winter if weather conditions prevent the project from being completed before then.

Revitalize Dumont is getting back to work inside the former Dumont school building after spending much of the summer addressing asbestos issues.

The group has continued making progress on the building, including a new roof over the gymnasium and additional electrical work. Revitalize Dumont President Roger Kregel says the roof project was one of the group’s biggest expenses this year.

The Dumont City Council has approved an Iowa Department of Transportation request to close Cedar Avenue beginning Oct. 19.

The closure will affect Cedar Avenue from West Broadway Street to Highway 3 on the west side of town. The closure could continue into the winter if weather conditions prevent the project from being completed before then.