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LOUISBURG -- Financial struggles at the State Department of Transportation could mean that the second phase of a major thoroughfare in Franklin County will be delayed.
During an Aug. 19 meeting, State Department of Transportation area Engineer Joey Hopkins informed commissioners that "cash outlay" issues meant that temporary repairs that could more immediately open a roadway that's been closed for two years was not a fiscally responsible option.

LOUISBURG -- Two close-in-proximity north/south routes in north central Franklin County are likely to be closed at the same time.
The traffic headache, officials fear, won't just create problems for motorists, but emergency response, as well.
"We're talking six to eight minutes [difference in response time]," County Manager Angela Harris said during an Aug. 19 county commission meeting in response to a status update on both projects by State DOT area Engineer Joey Hopkins.

The Depot Hill redevelopment project in Louisburg took another step toward reality this week when the town erected a large sign providing a vision, perhaps a little fanciful, about what the project will look like once it's completed. The old depot (visible in the background) and the property where it stands were donated to the town by the Dickens Family and plans call for it to be renovated as part of downtown redevelopment efforts.

LOUISBURG -- A group intent on bringing about pro-Democracy reforms has requested the State Board of Elections make available missing campaign finance data for the 2018 sheriff's election.
Democracy NC has been examining that data as part of its commitment to ensuring the democratic process is open and transparent and to help the public understand how and by whom campaigns are funded.

RALEIGH -- The governor's office has offered a reward for information that could help close a Franklinton murder case.
Police responded to a home on Fairlane Avenue on Jan. 18 to find 49-year-old Clarence Person Jr. dead from a gunshot wound.
Evidence suggested two suspects in the fatal shooting and one man, Octavian Dortch, was arrested on murder charges.

Youngsville resident Lily Corey

There's an old saying that if you're going to steal an idea at least improve upon it before you re-use it.
Probably good advice -- even if we only "borrow" a terrific idea and use it to benefit the children of Franklin County.
This idea comes to us via the Wake County Public School System, not exactly the fountain of new and innovative ideas normally.
But this one is great -- and it has terrific potential for us here in Franklin County.

I guess it's appropriate that Franklin County is first in line to develop a disaster preparedness plan.
Indeed, it was the county's namesake, Benjamin Franklin, who is attributed with the quote: "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail."
Earlier this month, Assistant County Manager Kim Denton updated commissioners on the staff's work with Builder Services to craft the Disaster Preparedness and Recovery ERP System.

Dear editor: I'm looking for someone to teach a class on hoarding.
I know a lot of good people that I think very much of that's a hoarder.
I've been told it was some type of mental problem. I don't know, but I would like to get them some help.

BRONX, NY--Mrs. Sallie Mae Clanton Bart, age 84, of the Bronx, NY, formerly of Louisburg, departed this life on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the Jewish Home and Hospital, there in the Bronx, NY.

LOUISBURG -- To put a historical perspective on Louisburg's uncharacteristic current skein, consider that the Lady Warriors lost more matches over a one-week span (five) than they have over the past three years combined (also five).
Certainly, five straight setbacks was not the way LHS veteran head coach Erica Wammock wanted to see the 2019 volleyball campaign begin.

FRANKLINTON -- Success has become expected within the volleyball program at Franklinton -- and that was something new coach Tom Harris anticipated when he accepted the head coaching position with the Lady Rams in the off-season following the resignation of long-time spike legend Crystal Barnes.
But Harris also wanted to test his club throughout the season with a tough series of non-conference opponents, mainly because FHS hasn't lost a Big East Conference matchup in three years.

BUNN -- As with any young team, there are destined to be growing pains this fall for the building Bunn High School volleyball program.
One of those moments came in last Monday's season opener as the Ladycats were defeated at Southern Nash, marking the first time the Ladybirds had topped BHS in at least the past 25 years.

HENDERSON -- Given the fact that last year's football showdown between Bunn and Vance County ended with the Wildcats squeaking out an overtime victory, it was safe to assume the clubs' meeting this season could follow another down-to-the-wire path.
And for three quarters, that was exactly the case before the homestanding Vipers pulled away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure a 30-12 decision over BHS in the regular season opener for both squads last Thursday.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Both Louisburg and Franklinton moved their regular season football openers one day ahead with the hopes of avoiding the poor weather forecast for the area. But it didn't happen as the Warriors and Red Rams got in precious little time on the field before their respective games were suspended last Thursday evening.
Louisburg, playing at KIPP Pride, was behind 22-8 at halftime before storms came through Gaston.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning of action, but Wes Rogers and Payton Henry both struck out with the bases loaded in the final frame as host Carolina failed to score again in a 4-3 series-opening loss to Fayetteville at Five County Stadium on Monday night in a Class A Carolina League baseball matchup.

Kaylee Turner can play setter, hitter (as shown) and back row for the Bunn Ladycats. Turner is a junior this season for Coach Melanie Lovin's club.

Jessica Lorena Pelcastre of Louisburg and Tomas Pelcastre Rebolledo of Greensboro were married on Saturday, Aug. 24, during a 5 p.m. ceremony held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center. The officiating minister was Jesus Carranza, brother of the bride.
The bride is the daughter of Angela Carranza Rubinoff and Jorge Armando Morales Galaviz.

The Franklin County Arts Council is holding a quilt show at the Gallery On Main and it's not just for quilters, it's also for people who enjoy the fiber arts and seeing where the quilts of our grandmothers have evolved, organizers said.
Quilting was a craft born of necessity; a necessity born of scarcity with quilts made of cast-off scraps of fabric, often left over from making a family's clothing.

The Tar River Center for History and Culture has announced its lineup of events for 2019-2020.
This year's programs start Thursday, Sept. 12 with noted genealogist Diane Richard, who will lead a seminar titled "Exploring Your Family Roots."
She will demonstrate how anyone can use court records, archives, photographs, and digital databases in their own genealogical research.

Two historical treasures, Eloise Alston and Nathaniel Cooke, both born in Franklin County, had the opportunity to reflect on their rich pasts recently in a "Sharing Our Stories" workshop at the Louisburg Senior Center.
The workshop was facilitated by Jackie Dove-Miller, chair of the Diversity Team of the Franklin County Arts Council and coordinated by Katrina Williams, activity specialist at the Louisburg Senior Center.

Above, Eloise Alston shows off her artwork. At left, Alston in her younger years.

Nathaniel Cooke holds a photo of The Brooklyn All Star Singers, the gospel group he was a member of for 30 years, touring across the country and Canada.

Louisburg Senior Center Seniors, along with Activities Specialist Katrina Williams, went to The Barn Dinner Theatre in Greensboro to see Soul Sistahs of Gospel in July.
During the show, the host asked couples that had been married over 50 years to stand up and local seniors Helen Woodard and John Woodard were one of the proud couples.

The Nu Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Pi Chi National Sorority hosted its Annual Rainbow Tea on July 13 at the Interdenominational Ushers Headquarters on US #1 in Franklinton. This event is when the group celebrates the successes of the chapter and awards scholarships.
Three young ladies received scholarships: Nazaria Arrington, who will be attending Winston-Salem University; Kahirah Scarborough, who will be attending NC A&T State University; and Taylor branch, who is attending Louisburg College full time and Wake Tech part time to pursue her EMS certification.

YOUTH EXPLOSION. The Unity and Surrounding Churches held a back-to-school event on Saturday, offering children free fun, food, book bags and prizes. Above, Eian Privette shows off his dart skills.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville police and Franklin County sheriff's deputies continue to look for a suspect in a rash of vehicle break-ins.
Last week, authorities identified 29-year-old Wake County resident Kedrick Derrell Jones of Wake County as a suspect in about 70 vehicle break-ins reported in the southwestern town and in the county.

LOUISBURG -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a Louisburg duo on drug charges.
Rodney Antwan Allen, 31, was charged with six counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, four counts of selling and delivering a controlled substance, seven counts of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for the purpose of storing/selling a controlled substance, three counts of trafficking opiates and conspiring to sell cocaine.