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LOUISBURG -- There is just more than a week until the filing deadline, but key races in Franklin County already predict pitched battles.
State Sen. John Alexander announced his intentions to retire from the legislature in the summer, making 2020 his last year in the capital.
As a result, Republicans Matthew Winslow of Youngsville and Scott McKaig have filed for their party's nomination this spring.

Youngsters enjoy faux snow during Bunn's Christmas tree lighting festivities.

LOUISBURG -- Police were closing in on a suspect accused of stabbing a Louisburg College student.
Earlier this week, Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott said authorities were obtaining a warrant for the suspect who stabbed a student in the back.
The injuries to 22-year-old Kimon Small were not life-threatening, authorities said.

LOUISBURG -- More than five months into the current fiscal year, the Franklin County Board of Education formally adopted a budget resolution Monday night -- but even this late it's still tentative because the state General Assembly has not yet adopted a budget.
The state budget, which was supposed to be adopted prior to July 1, is still up in the air as Democrats and Republicans refuse to compromise, mostly over the expansion of Medicaid to provide health care to low-income children.

From left, newly elected Youngsville Commissioner Scott Brame, Mayor Fonzie Flowers and Parks and Rec Director Andrew Smith show off their best Christmas suits during the town's parade last Saturday.

Journei Edgerton

Sometimes it's much better to be wrong than right -- even if what happened was as predictable as day following night.
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, a group of folks was standing outside in the mud along U.S. 401 listening to politicians -- again -- pledge their commitment to getting that long-ignored roadway improved.

So, you're darned if you do ...
As I and other Franklin Times staff attended Christmas festivities last week -- and plan to attend even more this coming weekend -- it's hard to imagine them not taking place.
But, that's exactly what happened in the towns of Garner and Wake Forest recently.

Dear editor:
Saturday, Nov. 9, we had one of our Missions outreach activities at our church. I had the privilege of being there to help give out clothing and we also gave bags of food.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The balance of power in the Northern Carolina Conference football scene made a huge move westward during the 2019 campaign.
That's where South Granville and Granville Central reside, and those were the top two squads in the NCC this past season.
South Granville ending up advancing to the Elite Eight of the Class 2-AA State Playoffs before falling to a strong Randleman squad.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg High School's boys basketball team has much larger aspirations for its 2019-20 season, but the Warriors also have a few area goals in mind -- notably being the best squad in Franklin County.
The Warriors took a step toward that achievement Tuesday by holding off Franklinton by a 79-64 margin at the FHS Gymnasium in the lone meeting of the season between the long-time hoops rivals.

FRANKLINTON -- With Miracle Cornell back in the lineup after an early-season injury, the Franklinton Lady Rams have quickly re-established themselves as the queens of Franklin County high school girls basketball.
Cornell was unavailable during the Lady Rams' previous loss at Bunn, but Franklinton defeated the Ladycats last Friday with Cornell in the lineup at the FHS Gymnasium.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Here is the schedule for this weekend's North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football Championships:

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton High School senior Jazmine Jones recently excelled at the X-Evolution Cheer Competition, which was held in late November at historic Dorton Arena in Raleigh.
At the prestigious event, Jones took part in the Individual Category for Best Toe Touch and Best Hurdler Jump.

RALEIGH -- Between the rigors of the Eastern Regional Finals and the State Championship Games, 16 head football coaches from across the state exhaled a bit Monday at Carter-Finley Stadium to take part in a press conference for the upcoming North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Finals.
Each of the head coaches from the 16 remaining schools in four subdivided classes met with media members and relived their joys from the road to the finals -- and what they expect this Saturday.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats are once again have announced another exciting new ticket package with the release of the all-new Grand Slam mini plan featuring five guaranteed souvenir giveaway items and a box seat ticket to five pre-selected souvenir giveaway nights scheduled throughout the upcoming 30th anniversary season of baseball at Five County Stadium.

Franklinton High School guard Travon Jones had an impressive performance Tuesday for the Red Rams during their home matchup against rival Louisburg High School at the FHS Gymnasium.

Senior Jaylen Perry, shown making a tackle, was exceptional on both sides of the ball this season for the Bunn High School football squad.

The Oakwood Waits, an a cappella group from Raleigh, will perform at Cherry Hill Plantation in Inez on Dec. 15. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will feature the group, dressed in antebellum costume, for their 12th visit to Cherry Hill. The performance of traditional carols and songs has been given from the Executive Mansion to the White House and has become a holiday tradition at the 1858 Inez home of the George W. Alston family.

"Christmas with the Celts" is a holiday musical celebration starring international music group, "The Celts," and a cast of dancers. This show will take the Gardner Concert Stage at Louisburg College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. (A previous story reported an incorrect date.)
Launched as a live concert attraction after several successful seasons as a PBS-TV Special, this performance features classic songs such as Little Drummer Boy, Count Your Blessings, White Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and I'll be Home For Christmas.

Maria Parham Franklin had the holidays all wrapped up in the Louisburg Christmas parade.

Franklinton Middle School Cheer Squad

Oops! This clown had a wardrobe malfunction in the Louisburg Parade.

The tree lighting in Bunn brought out the town's hospitality

The Warrior Marching Band from Louisburg High during the Louisburg Christmas Parade.

The Youngsville Allstars cheerleaders were energetic at the Youngsville Christmas Parade.

Viviani Caramanica chats with Santa in Bunn during the Christmas Tree Lighting.

BUNN -- The Franklin County sheriff's office concluded the third phase of a drug operation that netted 19 arrests this week.
All told, the multi-agency operation resulted in 55 arrests and more than 300 felony drug charges.
"Phase III of Operation Impact was a strategic initiative that focused on individuals selling drugs in our neighborhoods throughout the Bunn area," said Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead. "The plan to address drug activity in all of our communities will continue."

LOUISBURG -- A Lake Royale resident who has served as a lifeline for youth sports in the Bunn area asked Franklin County officials to bring their resources to bear.
The board made no commitment, nor much of a comment following the request.
Akeem Bolarinwa said he's been providing a free baseball program in Bunn for the past three years, but won't be able to do it anymore because "it's been too much.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners unanimously updated its radio system policy -- a document that outlines how the emergency radio system is to be used.
The update focuses on two key points related to user error. The third key change is designed for accountability and making emergency response more efficient.

LOUISBURG -- The cases against two people suspected of helping a killer elude authorities continue to make their way through the courts.
Cases against Josiah Oakley and Jasmin Alexandria Murphy, both of Raleigh, were slated for trial this week, but neither of their attorneys was able to attend the session of Franklin County Superior Court this week.

FRANKLINTON -- A man arrested on attempted robbery charges is slated to appear in court in a couple weeks.
Police arrested Marquise Covington on Nov. 24, alleging he tried to rob the Food Lion along U.S. 1.
According to authorities, officers responded to what was initially reported as an armed robbery at the store.

The Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed two new businesses to the community. Above, Crystal Pest Control, located within the Chamber office on Nash Street, is owned by Crystal Rizzo. Pictured left to right, front row: Blaine Holmes, Ephrem Rizzo, Crystal Rizzo, Melissa Hodges, Jean Odom, Chuck Odom and Brenda Fuller. Back row, from left: John Barnes, Danielle Monaco, Fred Keller and Tyler Manning.