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.

The fourth suspect in the local grave markers case was arrested Thursday afternoon.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd, Josh Sellers was arrested Thursday afternoon in Cerro Gordo County.

Last Friday, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stopped by Franklin County to meet with local law enforcement and tour H-D-CAL High School, where she learned about the new safety measures they’re putting in place in case of an active threat or lock-down situation.

With the recent retirement of Beeds Lake State Park Ranger, Scott Doescher, the Friends of Beeds Lake group has lots of projects going on this spring to get the park looking ready for the upcoming season!

A spring work day is being planned for April 26th at 9:00 am (rain date TBD) to do some basic clean-up tasks around the park.

A group of H-D-CAL juniors and seniors have set out on a mission to educate younger students on the importance of kindness.

Last Wednesday, they made their first appearance at the middle school, where they visited different classes to introduce themselves, play games and explain their six-week program of showing kindness. The team will return to the middle school each week with a different lesson and different activities.

Making clay pottery can be challenging at first, but Nathan Moore has a knack of making it look easy — and he’s even better at teaching others how it’s done.

This is why local business owner Jerre Grefe had brought him back to her studio at First & Second Vintage Too for another class with locals. According to Grefe, his classes on Saturday and Sunday were a hit. This was his third time teaching at her studio.

To know Catherine Yadon was to love Catherine Yadon.

The 93-year-old passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad, leaving behind decades of cherished memories with friends and family.

Doug Tarr wears three hats: Public Works Director, Code Enforcement Officer and Zoning Administrator. One of his many duties: keeping the streets clear in Hampton.

For a third meeting in a row, Hampton residents addressed city councilor Bill Hodge’s ICE remark from an earlier city council meeting, where he told the police chief to find him next time ICE was in town, as he had some names to share.

First up for public comment was Mickey Ferris, who shared support for Hodge, whom she has known for decades.

After eight years in business, the Stumble Inn in Bradford closed its doors for the last time Sunday afternoon. 
The decision was made by employees after Stumble Inn Owner Alex High unexpectedly passed away Thursday, 

Residents at nursing homes and assisted living centers across Franklin County were in for a sweet treat last Thursday and Friday — thanks to Michelle Hartman, best known as the “Crazy Tupperware Lady.”

Last Tuesday, three local students were named the recipients of this year’s DAR Good Citizen Award at the GAR Memorial Hall in Hampton.

The following students were selected: Isaac Vosburg from HD-CAL, Libby Trewin from West Fork and Caitlyn Archer from Iowa Falls/Alden.

Hampton’s Feb. 13 city council meeting started with more comments from the public regarding the remark made by Councilor Bill Hodge during the Feb. 3 city council workshop.

(During the Feb. 3 council workshop, Hodge told Police Chief Mark Morrison “Have them [ICE] come and see me. I can give them a couple of names.”)