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YOUNGSVILLE -- Interim Police Chief Joe Kimball represents a steady influence who's had a hand in selecting a number of the officers who currently fill the town's ranks.
Knightdale Police Lt. Greg Whitley offers a fresh face and a bit more experience.
Both men had a chance to sell themselves to the community last week.

FRANKLINTON -- A group of people braved summer-like temperatures last Sunday afternoon to come together in downtown Franklinton and pay tribute to a woman who has done so much for her community, her church and, especially for local children.
Mrs. Martha Hunter was presented the Elizabeth May Service Award during a brief ceremony in front of the Franklinton Middle School, a presentation that was witnessed by her friends, family, fellow church members and officials of the Willie B. Robertson and Kay Robertson Memorial Foundation, which presents the award.

FRANKLINTON -- Area law enforcement agencies combined to arrest more than a dozen people on nearly 90 drug charges following a six-month narcotics operation.
Operation Impact, said Sheriff Kent Winstead, "is an effort to identify and arrest anyone who chooses to sell illegal drugs in our communities.
"Our strategy and our emphasis will continue to be making our communities safer," he said. "These arrests will help achieve that goal."

A wreck on N.C. 56 near Phelps Road ripped off the driver side of a minivan, above, leaving it in a ditch, while a dump truck, right, continued about 100 yards before running off the road to the right, crashing through a fence at Rampart Aviation and catching fire. The driver of the dump truck was able to get out before the blaze engulfed the cab.

Stephanie and Betty Sue Schenck

One thing you can always count on if you're a reporter is that you can't always count on what you expect.
Case in point, last Sunday afternoon.
I drove over to Franklinton to cover the presentation of an award to a woman who has given so much to her church, her community and, especially, to local children.

Back in the spring, I had the opportunity to write about the development of the county's parks and recreation comprehensive master plan.
The plan, which relied on a lot of public input to determine what residents want and need, figured it would cost the county more than $22 million to fund all of the capital improvements that were outlined.
However, I've proposed some recreational activities that won't cost nearly as much.

Dear editor:
I agree that politics at all levels is a mess, but I disagree about the wall.
I believe the wall is an investment. If it stops one 911-type terrorist from entering our country, the lives saved would be worth the cost, not to mention physical damage and possible nuclear contamination.

Dear editor:
There's an old saying that when you believe someone is acting badly just give him enough rope and he'll hang himself.
That's what has happened to President Trump.
Forget the whistleblower report.
Forget the alleged coverup.

SIMS, NC -- Chazz Scott Pender, the son of Chad and Latonya Haywood Pender, was born in Wake County. He died Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at UNC Chapel Hill Children's Hospital. Service was held Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Kinches Chapel Christian Church, Franklinton, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Carl Waden, eulogist, and the Rev. Eddie Williams Jr., pastor. Burial was in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens, Wake Forest.

RALEIGH--Memorial services for Glennis "Radio Man" Brodie, 71, who died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, with the Rev. Diane Dozier officiating.

FRANKLINTON--Funeral services for Rannie "Ma Rannie" Alston Cooke, 89, who died Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at 12 p.m. at Mt. Hebron United Holiness Church in Louisburg.

DURHAM--Symathia Vernell Williams, 70, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Durham. She was born to the late Walter Isham Williams and Mary Willie Perry in Franklinton. Service was held Saturday, Sept. 21, at Antioch Baptist Church, Durham, with the Rev. Michael D. Page officiating.

FRANKLINTON -- Two teams with much different short-term goals met on the tennis court last Thursday when Franklinton hosted Northern Nash for a Big East girls showdown.
For NNHS, the future is now as the solid Lady Knights' lineup has dropped just two matches overall to date this season -- and are destined to finish no worse than third place in the Big East Conference standings.

BUNN -- Continuity might be an issue within the Bunn High School boys soccer program these days as the Wildcats are working on their third coach in the past three seasons.
The legendary Charles Haley stepped down after the 2018 campaign and was succeeded by Clint Eaton, who ended up just coaching last year before also moving on.

LOUISBURG -- Northern Nash's Justin Marshall and Southern Nash's Shamir Small began the race 1-2 -- and that standing never changed during the boys portion of the latest Big East Conference cross country meet.
The event was held last Wednesday at the redesigned layout at Owens Park in Franklin County, with Franklinton serving as the host.

WILSON -- The race for the Big East Conference Girls Golf Championship literally went down to the last shot Monday afternoon.
That's when the Big East golfers convened for the final time in the regular season, and Wilson Hunt appeared to be in good shape to take the team title heading into the 18-hole event.

LOUISBURG -- Volleyball is so strong in Franklin County that, even when Louisburg and Bunn are undergoing what could best be described as rebuilding years, both clubs are still right in the mix for one of the top spots in the Class 2-A Northern Carolina Conference.
Through the first round of head-to-head matches in the league, South Granville held a slim one-match cushion over Louisburg -- with Bunn not far behind.

FRANKLINTON -- After enjoying a strong start to the regular season, things haven't gone well for the Franklinton High School football team over the past three weeks.
The Red Rams opened with back-to-back victories, but have now dropped a trio of outings in a row, including a disappointing 56-14 home setback last Friday night against backyard rival South Granville in a non-conference gridiron showdown.

BUNN -- For the second occasion in the last three games, the Bunn Wildcats put up huge offensive numbers en route to securing a football victory -- this time against ultimate rival Louisburg.
The Wildcats collected 392 total yards, 350 of which came on the ground, and pulled away in the second half to end Louisburg's winning streak at three with a 48-28 triumph last Friday in a key Northern Carolina Conference and Franklin County showdown.

WAKE FOREST -- A dozen women have authored a book, chronicling their path from tragedy to triumph -- not skipping any stumbles in between.
Four of them can trace their paths to Franklinton, as Letha Young, Antoinette McCormick, Melanie Caronna and Yulanda Henderson all contributed to the book -- "I Am Created To Win" -- which will be part of a launch and book signing on Saturday.

UP AND AWAY. Above, Below, residents watch Duke's Life Flight copter take off from National Night Out.

Above, Duke Life Flight crewman Britteny Fiore shows off the helicopter to Ramon, Geraldine, Tyree and Cameron Armsrtong at Franklinton's National Night Out.

it was a crazy weekend around Franklin County with car shows, like the one held at Owens Park hosted by the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Commitee. Emily Dickerson, 5, holds a brochure promoting northeast Franklin County at the event.

Coen Padget was all smiles while sliding down an inflatable set up at the annual Youngsville Fall Festival at Faith Baptist Church.

Wake Forest World Champion Taekwondo student Jennifer Fetsch, left, teaches some basic martial arts offensive and defensive moves to Jahnvi Patel while her brother, Abhay, background, and her father, Himanshu, right, look on. Franklinton also held its National Night Out on Saturday.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County planners, consultants and residents wrapped up public meetings last week designed to solicit last-minute input on the county's development plan for the next 20 years.
At least one resident wondered how the county would pay for any improvements.
And, another asked the county not to forget about the horse community.