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YOUNGSVILLE -- As Dr. Larry Webb, the school system's executive director of auxiliary services, walked away from Long Mill Elementary School, he said he hoped that hundreds of officers, paramedics and other first responders all wasted their Saturday morning.
If it all was a waste, it would mean that no teacher, student or anyone else would come face-to-face with a crazed gunman or sinister bomber intent on wreaking havoc. And, it would mean no police or rescue units would have to respond to such a disaster.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has tabbed its next assistant county manager.
Kim Boyette Denton will leave behind the courthouse to help oversee county government as she was named the Assistant County Manager of Operations.
For the past six years, Denton has served as an assistant clerk in the Franklin County Clerk of Court's Office, working in the Estates and Civil Departments.

LOUISBURG -- Before members of the Tar River Poultry Initiative demonstrated their processing unit, Julie Gupton said a prayer.
Prayer works, she said.
As small farmers, Gupton, Analee Thornburg, Patricia Hill and Tay Brown didn't process enough chickens to justify the cost of each purchasing their own equipment, nor did they like the idea of using homemade or make-shift equipment to process chickens.

Brenda Wilkins and Joyce Green McLeod

Ah-h-h, the eve of Turkey Day, the nearly perfect holiday!
No gifts to buy, decorations are extremely optional, the weather is usually great around here and the holiday is a perfect excuse to eat, whether you choose to go out or stay in and cook!
Can a holiday get much better than that?

Happy Thanksgiving!
And good luck with that turkey and all the fixin's tomorrow!
Although it's almost impossible for some of us to believe it is Thanksgiving already, the calendar doesn't lie!

It always seems like the best idea.
Each year, the fourth Thursday in November, serves as an entire day to remind us to be thankful.
As such, it also reminds us that there are people who may be less fortunate.
So, each year, hundreds, if not thousands of folks wake up with the goal of volunteering -- helping their fellow man.

I have the honor of having served on the faculty at Louisburg College, and have been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for the past 35 years. Please know that the thoughts I offer in this editorial are mine alone and do not reflect in any manner a collective statement from either of these institutions.
They are solely mine, and serve only to build up the good works of my college, my church, and my community.

LOUISBURG - Tracee Leigh Lusky, 58, of Louisburg, died Saturday morning.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton made an instant impact this fall as a newcomer in the Big East Conference volleyball standings.
The Lady Rams went undefeated in league action and also swept the postseason tournament after moving to the Class 3-A Big East after a long stint in the Class 2-A Northern Carolina Conference.

BUNN -- When assessing the long-term status of the Bunn High School boys soccer program, area experts surmised that the Wildcats could develop into a consistent winner -- if they had a coach who would make a long-term commitment to the school
That had been an issue at BHS for over 12 years as the Wildcats had boasted some formidable teams, but were forced to rebuild when the coaching carousel would move once again.

BUNN -- Name a challenge on the baseball diamond, and chances are Davie Morgan will be up to it.
Morgan has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Bunn High School baseball squad over the past trio of campaigns -- with one season still remaining in his productive career.
Morgan has batted at several spots in the batting lineup, and has excelled in every place.

BUNN -- With two surgically repaired knees, Bernadette 'Butterball' Cooke is determined to make the most of one final chance to lead the Bunn High School girls basketball squad.
Cooke's promising career, which saw her star from Day One for the Ladycats, has been hampered by a pair of torn anterior cruciate ligaments -- the last of which made her unavailable for the entire 2016-17 campaign.

BUNN -- Bunn High School will once again host the Bunn Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament from Dec. 27-29 at the Bunn Dome.
Nash County neighbors Northern Nash and Southern Nash will both be a part of the eight-team field along with the Wildcats.
Bunn, under the direction of head coach Patrick Reynell, will open the tourney on Dec. 27 at 7:30 p.m. against friendly backyard rival Southern Nash.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- There was another successful Combat Warrior/Pleasants Farmer Deer Hunt from November 3-5.
A total of 14 warriors, 16 guides and 20 guests took part in the annual event.
The Warriors were housed at Mrs. Mavis Nelms' cabin about two miles south of Louisburg on Highway 39.

ZEBULON -- The holiday shopping season kicks into full gear on November 27 as the Carolina Mudcats offer a special Cyber Monday discount offer.
The Cyber Monday offer consists of two discount levels. The first features $10 off purchases of $50 or more using the promo code: MONDAY50 online at shopmudcats.com.

Bunn High School senior baseball standout Davie Morgan (left) credits former BHS coach Chris Cullom with playing a key role in Morgan's development. Morgan will continue his diamond career at Barton College in Wilson.

The Youngsville Phantoms Travel Team recently won the AAU World Series and took home rings, a team plaque and a championship belt. Youngsville won a best-of-three series against the Granville Rays to nab the crown in Wake Forest. In the deciding game, Youngsville won by a 17-7 margin.

Franklinton High School's Nia Richardson was named to the All-Big East Conference Volleyball Team after helping the Lady Rams sweep the league crowns.

The Crosscreek Charter School Music Department will present a special outdoor concert on Tuesday, Dec. 7, led by music teacher Julie Simpson and veteran Louisburg band director Brian D. "Doc" Miller.
Ms. Simpson's K-4 music students will sing songs of the season, and the Crosscreek Band will perform Christmas classics.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday when Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate the harvest -- and to eat too much, watch football and perhaps even sneak in a hunting trip or a nap.
But for families who are struggling financially, it can be a very difficult time, especially for the children.

Elder Napoleon and Mother Annie Walker of Franklinton celebrated 60 years of marriage on Nov. 9, 2017.
They celebrated with a small group of family and friends in Louisburg. All of their children were present for the occasion except one.
The Walkers were married Nov. 9, 1957 in Franklin County. They reside in Franklinton and have for many years.

The United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, joining the Allies in opposing the Central Powers -- a "War to End All Wars."
American leaders called on citizens to make sacrifices in support of the war effort. The people of North Carolina and Franklin County contributed in many ways.
Governor Thomas Walter Bickett, who was living in Louisburg in 1916 when he won the governorship, issued two proclamations in November 1917 that called for sacrifice.

The Vance-Granville Community Band will perform its tenth annual winter holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. Admission is free.

A partnership between the Early College High School and Novozymes is giving students the opportunity to explore the field of biotechnology while learning how to present in front of an audience.
It's called the Biotech Challenge. Six groups of early college high school students presented their research to a panel of judges recently. It's the seventh event of its kind spanning a period of four years.

Franklin County Schools hosted a going-away reception Thursday afternoon for outgoing School Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga (center). Dr. Mubenga is leaving Franklin County after about three and a half years and will take over as superintendent of the Durham Public Schools on Dec. 1. Shown here with Dr. Mubenga are School Board members Tommy Piper (left) and Gil Johnson. Briefly addressing school staff members at the event, Dr. Mubenga thanked them for their work to make Franklin County schools better and for their confidence in him.

GREENSBORO -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners was recognized for its commitment to education.
The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) presented the board with its County Commissioners of the Year award during the organization's annual conference last week.
The award is presented to a board of county commissioners that demonstrates extraordinary leadership that advances student achievement.

The Vance-Granville Community College Paralegal Technology program hosted a panel discussion on careers in the paralegal field recently on the college's Franklin County Campus, where the program is based.
VGCC Paralegal instructor Marque Debnam moderated the discussion, which was attended by current students in the program, prospective students and educators.

The students at Crosscreek Charter School in Louisburg collected 1,317 food items to aid the Safe Space organization for victims of domestic violence. Shown here are school band director Brian D. "Doc" Miller; Monica McInnis, Safe Space director, and Samantha Schloesser, English teacher at the school. Every class at the school participated in the collection as part of Cross Creek's focus on citizenship and community service.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County elections officials and staff made the November election official when it completed canvassing last week.
Voters in Franklin County's municipalities kept incumbents in place and sprinkled in some new faces on governing boards in Louisburg and Franklinton during the Nov. 7 election.
The county's Board of Elections met on Nov. 17 to add two provisional ballots, certifying the result.

BUNN -- Bunn High is looking for a new English teacher after an instructor resigned following a DWI arrest.
The State Highway Patrol charged Kristen Earsley, 34, with driving while impaired in the parking lot of Bunn High School the morning of Oct. 5.
School system spokesperson Michelle Fiscus said Earsley is no longer employed with the school system.

LOUISBURG -- The county expects to mail out property evaluation notices the second week in February.
And, while some calculations are expected to take place between now, then and the approval of the 2018-19 budget -- two things should be expected:
• Overall property values are going up;
• The county shouldn't be in the top three highest taxed counties in the state.

The Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center recognized its resident and staff veterans last week with lunch and fellowship. Above, nursing center employee Diedre Sykes served in the Army. Center Director Linda Tharrington said they wanted to make sure their veteran residents felt special and appreciated during the celebration of Veterans Day.

The Amicette youth affiliates of Phi Zeta chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., donated 34 handbags filled with more than 180 personal care items for women seeking safety during a Domestic Violence banquet on Nov. 11 at VGCC. Pictured (from left) are Amicettes Amaria Thompson, Trenity Howard, Leandrea Daise and Leah Scott with filled handbags.

Cub Scout Pack 520 took part in the Occoneechee Council Camporee at Camp Cambell from Friday Oct. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 29.
The scouts participated in many events including shooting sports, relay races and spirit activities.
Pack 520 competed against 6 other packs throughout north central North Carolina for the "Golden Akeela."