HD-CAL’s Patrick Hansen was recently named the Central District 2A Wrestling Coach of the Year.
When asked how he felt about the honor, Hansen said he wanted the young wrestlers to get the recognition for the season — not him.

The Franklin County Extension and Outreach Office and the Hampton Public Library are teaming up for a chili cook-off on Thursday, Feb. 27 — National Chili Day.
The chili extravaganza will start at 11 a.m. and run until they’re out.
Free-will donations are encouraged and all proceeds will go to the Hampton Public Library. However, donations are not required.

Last night, members of the public attended the Hampton City Council workshop to share thoughts on Councilor Bill Hodge's recent comment on undocumented immigrants in the area. 
 
This came after Hodge asked Police Chief Mark Morrison for an update on recent ICE arrests in the area, saying “Have them [ICE] come and see me. I can give them a couple of names” during the Feb. 3 council workshop.
 

A former Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls’ soccer coach accused of a sexual relationship with a student has a trial date rapidly approaching as new developments emerge in the case.
Ismael Rodriguez Torres is set to have a new trial start of Feb. 13.

Members of the American Legion held another breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning, Feb. 8. 
 
Legion members served up a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy and orange juice and coffee. Members of the public stopped by to eat, socialize and donate to the American Legion's flag project at the Hampton cemetery.
 

Hope Foley shared that they were able to raise $600 for their Starving Artist Scholarship through their tattoo design contest, which will help support HD-CAL grads going into an art field or art apprenticeship.
 

First Bank Hampton donated $4,000 to the Hampton Tree Board last Thursday morning. 
The Hampton Tree Board has spent thousands of hours planting and growing new trees around the city since 2013. Hampton Tree Board President Randy Sanders said that he has clocked nearly 800 hours on tree projects, including their treeline street program, just within the last year.

The Coaches VS. Cancer event at HD-CAL High School on Jan. 25 brought in 2,300 dollars for the American Cancer Society — with more still coming in. 
Franklin County Relay for Life Chair Lisa Rodriguez, who worked with the HD-CAL student council on the event, said it was a success in a number of ways. She said the silent 

Dumont resident Lauren Johnson was arrested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Saturday evening on two warrants.
She is facing new charges of possession of a controlled substance (third offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Dr. Chad Hart with ISU Extension and Outreach stopped by Hampton Last Friday morning to speak to local farmers at First Bank Hampton's annual AG Outlook meeting.
 
Naig started out his speech by saying he has a warm spot in his heart for banks, especially those in small communities like Hampton.
 
"A strong community often has good banks,” he said. 
 

A former H-D-CAL soccer coach convicted of sexual misconduct with a student will have a chance at a new trial.
Ismael Rodriguez Torres, 28, of Hampton, convinced a judge his lawyer did not offer him adequate representation with a new trial ordered the very last day of 2024.

If you do business with Sackville Insurance, you’ve probably met Officer Manager Vincen Liddle. He works the front desk of the insurance agency part-time every week.

The Hansell Fire Department held their third soup fundraiser Monday evening, Jan. 21.
 
The team set up their fundraiser dinner at the Hansell Community Center, once again, where local supporters stopped by from 5 to 7 p.m. for grilled cheese, tomato soup, chili, vegetable beef soup and cupcakes. 
 

Last week, CAL Elementary preschool teacher Heather Koenen and her young students went on a special mission. 

The Hampton Lions Club made a special trip to Hampton Community Christian Daycare Tuesday morning.

Two Hampton Lions screened a total of 28 children for vision problems while there. The screenings were held this week in honor of Lions Founder Melvin Jones’s birthday.