The holiday season is approaching fast and the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for a slew of events.
On Friday, November 26, downtown Hampton will be open for Black Friday shoppers looking to avoid the rush with the Sleep In, Shop Late afternoon event.

The CAL Community School Board met for their regular meeting on Monday, November 8.

It was Election Day on Tuesday, November 2. People across Franklin County headed out to the polls for the off-year election.
"It went really well," said Franklin County Auditor Katy Flint. "We didn't have any issues."

The Hampton City Council discussed libraries, renovations, and leaf disposal during their regular meeting on Monday, November 8.
Normally Monday would be a workshop meeting, however the normal Thursday meetings have been pushed to Monday for the month of November due to the placement of Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.

The Franklin Wellness Center has been approved for an Iowa Fitness Center Relief Grant on behalf of Franklin County R.A.C.E.
Administered by the Iowa Economic Authority, $30 million in funds in federal CARES Act money is being distributed to eligible fitness centers across the state.

Everything was on track at the Franklin County Convention Center on Sunday, October 31 as the North Central Iowa Model Railroad Club hosted their ninth annual Model Railroad Show & Sale.
"We had a great morning," said club president Gene Elphic. "It looks like the vendors sold quite a bit of stuff."

The Hampton City Council appointed a resident to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission during their regular meeting on Thursday, October 28.
The council considered applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Two applicants, Jesse Mollenbeck and Carolee Philpott, were at the meeting to express their interest in the position.

CAL graduate Natalie Nordlund returned to Latimer on Friday to share with students a children's book she had written to help kids with handling their emotions.
Nordlund has recently released her first book, "My Peaceful Place," an illustrated book designed to help young readers learn calming strategies using their own minds and imaginations.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Rescue members from across the state lined up to pay respects to a fallen Iowa State Patrol Trooper on Friday, October 22.
Trooper Ted Benda, 37, was responding to a call in Clayton County on Thursday, October 14 when he was seriously injured in a car crash. Benda passed away the following Wednesday.

Election Day is fast approaching and could result in some new faces on the Hampton City Council.
Representing Ward 2 on the city council, incumbent Barry Lamos is facing a challenge from newcomer Amanda Fender. Likewise, incumbent At-Large council member Pat Palmer is facing a challenge against Scott Stillwell.

The CAL Community School Board will see some new faces this year. In District 1, Mitch Vanness is not seeking re-election. Bradly Wessels will be running uncontested for that open seat.
In District 2, incumbent Elizabeth Podolan is uncontested in seeking re-election for her seat.

The Hampton-Dumont Community School Board will have two contested elections on the ballot this year as five candidates vie for three open seats.
Two seats will be open in the Hampton Director race. Incumbent Stephanie Powers will be on the ballot along with Elisa Van Wert and Danielle Benavidez to compete for those two seats. Current board member Chad Hanson is not running for re-election.

For the upcoming election in Geneva, it's all but certain that the next mayor will be named Todd.
On paper, incumbent Mayor Todd Olmstead faces a challenge from Todd Pilchard, however there is a chance that both Todds will end up at the city council meetings one way or another.

Music rang through Hampton United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 17 as the congregation celebrated the return of their newly restored pipe organ.
After being out for refurbishing for most of the summer, the church pipe organ has finally been re-installed and is ready to come back into regular use.
"Since June 27 we've been waiting to hear this music," said Pastor Lewis Flanigan.

Maynes Grove Lodge was packed with area property owners on Wednesday, October 13 as interested parties gathered to learn more about plans for a new pipeline that would cross into the county.
Summit Carbon Solutions LLC, an affiliate of Summit Agricultural Group, is proposing the construction of 700 miles of pipeline that would be used to transport excess carbon from Iowa's ethanol plants to an out-of-state storage location.