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LOUISBURG -- Melody Jo Williams made the most -- in a big way -- of her season to shine at Louisburg College.

The case against a former Franklin County deputy is slated for a first court appearance Monday, but nothing significant is expected.
Prosecutors have charged Ben Barrick with involuntary manslaughter for his role in the May 2004 death of Deputy Ted Horton.

Franklin County rearranged some equipment this week as part of a plan to lessen the burden on emergency transport. The Quick Response Vehicle program, approved in March, authorizes the county to hire five paramedics and purchase emergency vehicles to be put in Bunn and Youngsville.

SHARING EASTER JOY. 4-H member Kristen Belue presents Britthaven resident Susie Battle with a potted plant that the group passed out for the Easter holiday on Friday. The 4-H group, Exceptional County Intelligent Teens Educated Dedicated and Determined (EXCITED) handed out 50 plants and 85 Easter cards.

YOUNGSVILLE — Town officials approved an ordinance change this week designed to improve quality of life. By unanimous vote, the board requires that developers install sidewalks for new construction on several designated streets.

Some Franklin County timberland will be part of a conservation plan that will protect 218,000 acres across the Southeast. International Paper, which transferred its land to Blue Sky Timber in Franklin County, has agreed to sell more than 77,000 acres in North Carolina.

Fire departments and the state Forestry Service have been busy putting out fires. And that’s no cliche. Since the first of the year, drought conditions and high winds have combined to turn 41 controlled burns into out-of-control fires in Franklin County. “We’ve had five times as many fires as last year,” said Brian Champion, Franklin County’s assistant ranger with the state Forest Service. “We’ve been working nearly every day since March,” he said Monday.

There have been more losers than winners in the state lottery, but proponents say there has been a jackpot. “Education is the winner in the lottery,” said state Sen. Doug Berger. Since the lottery began on March 30, there has been $265,000 in ticket sales and $130,934 in payouts in Franklin County.

After being faced with higher insurance rates the last few years, including one carrier who declined to rebid for services last year, the county is expecting a lower bill this year. County Finance Director Chuck Murray said current quotes, if they hold, would save the county 34 percent from its premium payments last year of $410,000 for property and liability insurance. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners risk pool for property and liability insurance is quoting a premium bill of $135,000 less than what it charged the county last year.

FRANKLINTON — Even though Sharon Garner doesn’t officially assume her duties until May 1, the eastern North Carolina native has already put down roots. She made a deposit on a home this week and said she will be ready to hit the ground running as the new town administrator. “There is a lot of information to absorb,” said Garner, who most recently held the post as a town manager in Madison.

WAKE FOREST - Lynn Sherron, 36, died suddenly Sunday, April 9, 2006. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, April 12) in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home, Wake Forest.

NORLINA - Funeral services for Master Thomas Daniel Hunt, age 2, who died Saturday, April 8, 2006, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 12) at Perry’s Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. James Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.