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LOUISBURG -- The company behind a multi-million dollar emergency radio system overhaul said they believe they've got a fix on a problem plaguing radios along the Franklin-Vance County border.
And they've pledged to better engage end users across the county to better gauge the successes and failures of the system.

LOUISBURG -- Dr. Cheryl Benson is a former teacher, assistant principal and assistant superintendent.
But, after retiring from Franklin County schools, her drive to educate, volunteer and get involved never waned.
Most visibly, her efforts are on display as executive director of the Franklin County Education Foundation -- a nonprofit organization that has raised thousands of dollars to help recruit and retain teachers.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners took two actions: One that is expected to expand the town and another that could change its makeup.
First, the board agreed to extend the town's corporate limits during its meeting on Tuesday night.
The action was the first step in plans to annex a proposed subdivision at the developer's request.

FRANKLINTON -- Martin Luther King Jr. reminded folks that "... change takes a long time, but it does happen."
During this past weekend's celebration of King's life and legacy hosted by the Franklinton MLK Committee, Town Manager Gregory Bethea identified a parallel between the oft-quoted King comment and the fate of downtown.

LOUISBURG -- In the biblical story of Joshua, when the tribe of man crossed the Jordan River to the land of Israel, stones representing their passage were brought over and revered -- serving as a testament to what stood steady beneath them on their path to freedom.
During Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Louisburg, the event's speaker, the Rev. Melvin Jackson, shouted out those in Franklin County who have served as the bedrock of civil rights, carrying a torch that has brightened the county's past.

The Rev. Melvin Jackson spoke at Louisburg's MLK ceremony

Call me optimistic, but I've usually figured that most folks won't stick their finger in a light socket twice just to see if the power is on.
Nor will they grab the handles of a pan just removed from an oven to determine if it's still too hot to handle.
But if those two assumptions are correct, why in the world is Louisburg getting a second downtown "bump out" on Nash Street like the one on Main Street?

For a number of reasons, I generally try to stay away from New Year's resolutions.
We often try to convince ourselves that flipping a calender year is a good time to try to do the things we couldn't accomplish the previous 12 months.
We tell ourselves we'll exercise more and eat less.

Dear editor:
Pete Andrews asked several questions about President Trump in his letter that appeared in the Jan. 9 edition of this newspaper. I advise Mr. Andrews to ask these questions to the Democrats and the American news media, because the adjectives in the questions describe them, not Trump.

Dear editor:
It appears that there are all sorts of books available on self-improvement. You can find books on remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. There are plenty of books on investing money for retirement. There are too many books on health and exercise to mention.

LOUISBURG--Gail Wall Murray, 70, of Louisburg, died peacefully at WakeMed on January 18, 2020 surrounded by her family.

FRANKLINTON -- Perseverance and a potent bat can take a softball player a long way -- and that's exactly what Rianna Layton is hoping for as she continues her career.
Layton, a senior at Franklinton High School, has overcome a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during her tenure with the Red Rams -- but has always remained upbeat while serving as a team leader.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg High School's girls basketball team has employed a set-it-up, half-court style for much of the season -- but the Lady Warriors used a much different tact Tuesday to earn a crucial Northern Carolina Conference victory over long-time rival Warren County.
During the decisive third quarter, Louisburg used several transition, uptempo baskets to surge ahead. The Lady Warriors then showed savvy down the stretch to earn a 38-23 decision over Warren County at the historic LHS Gymnasium.

WILSON -- Franklinton's tournament and potential playoff fate would come down to a match against Southern Nash at the annual Big East Conference Dual Team Wrestling Championships.
Coming into last Saturday's prestigious event at the Wilson Fike High School Gymnasium, it was considered to be almost a given that the homestanding Golden Demons would claim the league's dual team crown.

ROANOKE RAPIDS -- Bunn High School came up with one of its most important victories of the season Tuesday on the road as the Wildcats rallied for a 62-60 victory over Roanoke Rapids in a key Northern Carolina Conference boys basketball contest.
Bunn led 22-10 after one frame, only to see the Jackets claw back and lead late in the game.

RED OAK -- Both Northern Nash's boys and girls basketball teams utilized quick starts to pick up both squads' second Big East Conference wins of the season last Friday night, with two commanding victories over the visiting Franklinton Red Rams.
With an impressive crowd on hand at the Northern Nash High School Gymnasium, the Lady Knights jumped out to a lightning-fast 17-4 lead during the first period of play.

LOUISBURG -- The second half of the season is destined to determine Louisburg High School's playoff fate in boys basketball -- a quest that was supposed to begin Tuesday at home with a meeting against Northern Carolina Conference opponent Warren County.
Certainly, Louisburg's start was good enough, but the Eagles began to claw back late in the first period and eventually earned a 68-62 decision over the Warriors at the LHS Gymnasium.

ZEBULON -- Exciting family fun is once again on tap in 2020 as the Carolina Mudcats have unveiled an all-new promotions schedule featuring spectacular souvenir giveaways, exciting new specialty game jersey events and over a dozen fireworks shows for the upcoming 30th anniversary season of baseball at Five County Stadium.

ZEBULON -- The Milwaukee Brewers have released their newest Minor League coaching and training staffs and announced that Joe Ayrault will once again return as manager of the Carolina Mudcats for the 2020 season. Ayrault is Carolina's all-time winningest manager and is back for his fourth consecutive season with the Mudcats.

Former Franklinton High School hoops standout Nick Tabron is now the head boys coach at East Wake Academy in Zebulon. Tabron, who also has extensive coaching experience on the AAU level, served as an assistant at EWA last year before taking over the program this season. Tabron is working with a young team that has plenty of potential for the future, and has won three games this winter.

Louisburg High School junior standout Elijah Jamison makes his way through the Warren County defense during Tuesday night's important Northern Carolina Conference boys basketball game at the historic LHS Gymnasium.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Franklin County is now in Congressman David Price's political backyard and he spent a whirlwind day visiting key businesses, places of education and government facilities -- trying to get a feel for the needs of his constituents.
And, during a town-hall style meeting that concluded Tuesday's visit, Price, who has served in Congress since 1987, let his constituents get a feel for him.

AMBASSADOR. Chamber Executive Director John Barnes, left, presents Tyler Manning with the Ambassador of the Year award.

ANOINTED. Chamber Chair Allen White, right, presents outgoing chair Blaine Holmes with a unique honor, a sword, for his service.