Seventy five years ago, Frances Huling answered a notice in a Sunday school newsletter that would lead to a decades-long friendship.

The ad was placed by Lois Grosse, who was 12 years old at the time and living in Australia. She hoped to find a pen pal who lived in the United States.

Fran, who was also 12 years old at the time, was one of many to respond to her ad.

Hampton - Teams from area businesses and organizations competed on Thursday, March 20 at Fareway in Hampton in the Franklin County Farm Bureau Breakfast Battle. Central Park Dentistry, First Bank Hampton, First Security Bank Hampton, Franklin County Extension, Franklin General Hospital, Franklin Ministerial Association, Franklin REC, JT Machine & Tool, Poet and Sukup all had teams of 2 people vying for the trophy.

The Coulter Fire Department held a fish fry on Saturday, March 22, to raise money for their new fire station.

Locals stopped by the Coulter Community Center from 5 to 8 p.m. for their fill of fried fish, au gratin potatoes, macaroni salad, green beans, a diner roll and ice cream.

The folks at the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce held their annual appreciation celebration on Saturday, March 22, and it was, without a doubt, a huge success.

The event, which was held at the Hampton Country Club, kicked off with a social hour, followed by a silent auction, awards and games.

The following people and organizations were honored at the event:

The Hampton City Council voted to move forward with the special appointment for a councilor of Ward 3 during their March 13 meeting. 
 
The other option would have been to hold a special election. It was decided that applications would be accepted through March 21 at 4 pm. Candidates will be interviewed at the March 24 workshop and an appointment will be made at the March 27 Council Meeting.
 

The Hampton Public Library announced Monday that seven-year-old Hazel Huffman won this year’s spring basket. 
 
The first grader entered into the drawing for the basket last week. The basket was sponsored and made possible by the Friends of the Hampton Public Library
 
More than 130 people entered their names for a chance to win the contest. 
 

The Hampton City Council voted March 13 to deny the liquor license renewal for Crossroads market at 4 4th St SE in Hampton.

The alcohol license for the shop expired on March 3, but the venue continued to sell alcohol up until March 13. Crossroads is owned by American Eagle USA LLC. The denial was recommended by Hampton Police Chief Mark Morrison during a hearing on the renewal at the regular Council meeting March 13th.

The folks at the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce have been hard at work coordinating their annual appreciation celebration — set for Saturday, March 22.
The event will be held at 5 p.m. at the Hampton Country Club, where there will be a silent auction, games, awards, and appetizers prepared by H-D-CAL’s ProStart culinary team, which recently won state.

The dayhabilitation members at Access Inc. put their creativity to the test a week ago when making some cool leprechaun catchers, which were recently on display at the Hampton Public Library.

Members of the public were invited to stop by to vote for their favorite — and the winning team took home a traveling trophy.

Tim Felderman, who will take over as the superintendent for Hampton-Dumont Community School District at the start of July, is ready to make a difference.

Felderman, who’s leaving his position as the high school principal of West Delaware Community School District, said this will be his first superintendent role. He said he is excited and ready for the challenge.

March 8, 2025 - The Wright County chapter of the Iowa Farm Bureau hosted a town hall meeting featuring Senator Dennis Guth and representatives Shannon Latham and Mark Thompson. The event was moderated by local farmer and Farm Bureau board member Ethan Lambert. The event drew a large crowd who were eager to have their voices heard. 

Hampton-Dumont Elementary Principal Beth Frenchick said they had a wonderful time last week for Read Across America Week.

The Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual appreciation celebration on Saturday, March 22.

Hampton Police Chief Mark Morrison has been named the recipient of the Leadership Award by the Promotions Committee for the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce Annual Appreciation Celebration.

City Councilor Jerre Grefe — who serves on the Promotions Committee — made the announcement during her report at the end of the city council meeting last night.

La Luz Centro Cultural was recently named Organization of the Year by the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

The announcement was made by City Councilor Jerre Grefe, who serves on the Promotions Committee, at the council meeting last week. La Luz’s mission is to promote cultural awareness and diversity with hospitality and supportive services for all.