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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County joined the list of counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the pandemic continues to shut down, shutter and suspend all aspects of life.
On March 20, four Franklin County residents tested positive for the coronavirus, health officials confirmed. By Wednesday, an additional county case appeared on the State Department of Health and Human Services website.

Volunteers stepped up at the Louisburg Senior Center to feed the seniors during the pandemic. Several volunteers put together 60 boxes of food, making more than 900 meals for senior citizens who would normally be at the center to dine.

LOUISBURG -- Meeting in an unusual session to deal with an unusual crisis, the Franklin County Board of Education Monday night granted sweeping emergency powers to Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler to allow her to deal with the escalating COVID-19 crisis.
The special Monday night meeting was conducted partially over the internet and partially in the West River Road administrative complex where board chair Paige Sayles and member Rosemary Champion were in attendance.

Laurel Mill Elementary School has become the fifth site in Franklin County where officials are distributing free lunches and breakfasts to students while the schools are closed.
The meals are also available at Louisburg and Bunn high schools, and Franklinton and Youngsville elementary schools between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town Administrator Phil Cordeiro presented commissioners with an outline of his 2020-21 budget proposal that keeps the tax rate neutral, calls for about $1 million in renovations and new construction, and raises some fees.
The most ambitious aspect of the budget -- a preview of which was given to commissioners during a special called March 19 meeting -- are plans to renovate the town's administrative complex, which hosts town hall staff, the police department and public works operations.

LOUISBURG -- One casualty, at least initially, of COVID-19 has been the county's Comprehensive Development Plan.
The document, which will serve as a guide for county development for the next 20 years, was originally on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' March 16 agenda, but was jettisoned in favor of brevity.

LOUISBURG -- A Franklinton man convicted of killing his father avoided the death penalty and spending the rest of his life in jail.
But, after being sentenced for second degree murder on March 20, John Lawrence Morgan would be 72 at the earliest he'd be eligible for prison release -- 11 years younger than Richard Morgan Jr. was when he died by his son's hand.

The River golf pro Randy Davis

It's been a really strange week -- and the best question I heard was somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
Noting that 2020 was off to a very disjointed and tumultuous start, like sometimes happens with a computer, someone asked if unplugging the year, waiting 20 seconds and then plugging it back in would help.
That's the last line of defense against cranky computers, so it might work on a year -- although so far nothing much is working.

... And, in other news.
I know that since the outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19 or whatever series of letters they're using as the name of this pandemic, those four words that began this column are not words that you've heard too often.
And, to be honest, that's for good measure.

Dear editor: As we are in uncharted waters it is comforting to me to have extremely smart people tackling the problems this virus is presenting.
Dr. Anthony Fauci and his team are, in my opinion, at the top of the mountain in their knowledge and will not rest until this virus is contained. The efforts of both pharmaceutical companies and government agencies will find answers. The procedures to contain this virus will come from The United States!

KNIGHTDALE--Vickie Yvonne Pace Stainback, 68, of Knightdale died Saturday, March 21, 2020. A private memorial service was held Wednesday March 25, and was webcast on Vickie's Book of Memories Page at www.lancasterfcs.com.

WILSON -- Nobody was quite sure what to expect when Bunn tangled with Wilson Hunt two Fridays ago in a non-conference baseball game at Wilson's historic Fleming Stadium.
One day earlier, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced that all events were being suspended until early April. That date has now been pushed back to mid-May due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

BUNN -- Kaitlyn Adams' considerable basketball talents were discussed even before she ever set foot on the Bunn High School campus.
Adams' arrival at Bunn had been much-anticipated, and the wait proved to be worth it during Adams' exceptional freshman campaign this past season.
Adams, a forward with the ability to play both inside and outside, guided the Ladycats to a 14-11 overall mark and into the second round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- It's hard to believe that Elijah Jamison has now completed three years of his high school boys basketball eligibility.
It seems like just yesterday when Jamison was leading the Terrell Lane Middle School boys hoops squad to a league championship before embarking on what would be a memorable freshman campaign and beyond at Louisburg High School.

CHAPEL HILL -- Here is the latest update from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association concerning its spring sports season:
"Having heard the updated information relative to schools remaining closed until the middle of May, NCHSAA interscholastic athletics will remain suspended until at least May 18.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Randy Davis has navigated through plenty of ups and downs during his 25 years in the golf industry -- and he hopes to bring that problem-solving expertise to his new position as the Club Professional at The River Golf and Country Club at Lake Royale.
Davis has witnessed participation soar to tremendous heights during the peak of the Tiger Woods Era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Bunn's D.J. Daniel signals to a teammate after being driven in during the Wildcats' game versus Wilson Hunt at historic Fleming Stadium.

Bunn High School third baseman Jaylen Perry awaits a throw at third as a Wilson Hunt player slides in during the possible spring sports season baseball finale two Fridays ago at Fleming Stadium.

This advocacy event is a specific request to increase funding for Senior Centers by an additional $750,000 in recurring funds. There are 171 Senior Centers in 97 counties that provide programs and services to enhance the health and wellness of older adults. These services benefit older adults in remaining independent, thus delaying their potential for costlier services or housing options. Senior Center general purpose money is vital to support critical center operations.

Community Paramedic Heather Lewis and Senior Services Director Cindy Jones load meals to be delivered for senior citizens.

FRANKLINTON -- Sheriff's deputies are looking for suspects in an armed robbery.
Residents at a home on Mary Way allege two men entered the residence after 8 p.m. on March 21 and assaulted them.
According to authorities, the two suspects assaulted a 52-year-old man at the house, as well as a 30-year-old woman.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A Zebulon man was killed when authorities said he tried to cross a two-lane highway late at night.
Alonzo June Hartsfield, 86, died as a result of injuries sustained in the March 20 accident.
According to a report by Trooper J.T. Southerland, Hartsfield was crossing the road when he walked into the path of a car driven by Justin Wheeler, 37, of Youngsville.

Relay Season to fight cancer is going full blast and help is needed, organizers said.
So far the group has raised $33,000 of the $100,000 goal, although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes in this year's schedules.
So far, Relay for Life is still slated for May 1, at Franklinton High School from 6 p.m. until midnight. Survivors should arrive by 5:30 p.m.

LOUISBURG -- Airport officials moved one step closer to tidying up the airfield.
Going back to August, the Triangle North Executive Airport Advisory Board began discussions to address derelict aircraft that use the airport's tie down spaces -- the most visible crafts to visitors.

LOUISBURG -- First responders rescued a woman from an overturned vehicle. They then charged her with assault with a deadly weapon -- the result of a domestic dispute that spiraled into a road rage incident.
Louisburg police officers responded to the parking lot behind Town Hall just after 5 p.m. on Friday, finding Sarah Blake trapped inside the overturned sport utility vehicle she was driving.