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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County could soon come under a mandatory face covering edict.
Roughly every two weeks, Health Director Scott LaVigne appears before county commissioners, giving them COVID-19 updates and, during those briefings, the county has experienced jumps of 21 more new cases, 35 more new cases and, during the board's June 15 meeting, LaVigne reported 72 more new cases.
All of this while the state experienced on June 6 a new, single-day high of 1,768 new COVID-19 cases.

LOUISBURG -- The town council put its stamp of approval on the 2020-21 budget Monday night as it quickly plowed through a long agenda of fairly routine items during its first in-person, but socially distanced meeting since the beginning of the pandemic.
The budget, which passed unanimously after no one posed any questions during a public hearing, totals $14,728,197 and keeps the property tax rate for the coming year the same -- 45 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. In Louisburg a penny on the tax rate generates about $28,910.

UNC Pembroke graduates Kayla and Shayla Alston, above, greeted well wishers who drove by their Louisburg home to congratulate the twins in a socially distant driveby celebration. They graduated on May 10, Kayla with a degree in biology and Shayla with a degree in social work. Shayla is also working on earning a masters in social work. The Alstons, daughters of Cornelius (Neal) and Constalina Alston, join hundreds of students who graduated this spring while navigating a global pandemic that closed schools, forcing students to finish their school work virtually.

LOUISBURG -- Town police arrested a Charlotte man they allege disrupted a monument protest over the weekend.
Those in support of retaining the Confederate soldier monument on N. Main Street and those who want it removed gathered around the statue on June 13, standing for their respective positions.

FRANKLIN COUNTY --This past weekend, Franklin County schools released virtual graduation ceremonies to its Youtube site -- making the graduating class of 2020 pretty historic.
On June 13, video programs for Bunn, Franklinton and Louisburg high schools, along with the Franklin County Early College High School, feted the hundreds of students who made their way to picking up their diplomas.

Holland Shearin

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time we have an honest communitywide conversation about something we have been artfully putting off for decades.
It's going to be difficult, painful, emotional -- and in the end, almost no one will be entirely happy.
But to delay this conversation any longer, to try to kick this "can" down the road into the future yet again, carries a lot more risk and downside than dealing with it today.

A reader submitted this photo wondering about the implications of this Louisburg College banner welcoming students, the majority of whom are African-American, to campus where a monument with a Confederate soldier is so prominent. It is something to ponder, don't you think? Especially in these troubled times.

This past weekend marked the 15th year that I've covered high school graduations in Franklin County.
Don't get me wrong. High school graduations are incredibly momentous occasions for students, who've worked 13 years to earn the right to walk across a stage and pick up a diploma.

Dear editor:
It appears that a history instructor at Louisburg College is once again trying to have the Confederate Monument removed.
I am certain that since the last attempt this instructor has had time to find out how many young men and boys from Franklin County were killed in this terrible conflict.

FRANKLINTON--Funeral services for Alex McKenly Wright Sr., 86, who died Tuesday, June 16, 2020, will be held Tuesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with the Rev. Stanley Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Church cemetery.

BUTNER--Archie Lee Gupton, 80, of Butner died Tuesday, June 16, 2020 as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

FRANKLINTON --Joyce Laughter Pearce, 88, died Monday, June 15, 2020. A private family memorial service will be officiated by the Rev. Jonathan Chandler at Fairview Cemetery.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2019-2020 Academic All-Conference Team.
This past season produced a record 1,702 honorees. North Carolina Wesleyan College ranked 5th in the conference with 119 honorees.
Among the NCWC top student-athletes were Franklin County natives Haley Sheehan and Summer Phillips.

LOUISBURG -- Who would have thought that one of the most illustrious eras in the tradition-rich history of Louisburg High School softball would end with such little fanfare?
But that's exactly what happened on March 12 when the Lady Warriors were defeated 2-0 by Vance Charter in what seemed to be a rather meaningless early-season, non-conference matchup.

LITTLETON -- After taking the previous weekend off, fans and drivers were back at Halifax County Motor Speedway last Saturday as excitement was high among fans, drivers and track personnel.
Six races were on the card, and the I-95 Late Model Challenge was getting ready to take place in front of a large crowd sitting eager with anticipation.

LOUISBURG -- Jim's Cricket Ranch recently wrapped up its annual Kids Fishing Contest.
The event started in early April and ran through June 6.
Winners were chosen in four categories -- bass, bream, crappie and catfish.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University baseball's Patrick Bailey heard his name called last Wednesday night in the first round of the 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, as he was selected as the 13th overall pick to the San Francisco Giants.
Bailey becomes the 10th Wolfpack player selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (total includes secondary phase).

CHAPEL HILL -- The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has announced the winners of the Female and Male Athletes of the Year for the 2019-2020 School Year.
The award is in its 35th year and winners receive the Pat Best Memorial Trophy.

ZARIUS HOLDEN -- BIGGEST CRAPPIE

Mila Grace Bailey

Chris, Ashley, and big brother Walker Bailey are excited to welcome Mila Grace to their family. Mila was born on April 17, 2020. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Ryan Bradley Baker

Chris, Jessica, and big brother Luke Baker are excited to welcome Ryan Bradley to their family. Ryan was born on April 30, 2020. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21 inches long.

LOUISBURG --Franklin County Schools have tabbed a new principal and a new assistant principal at two of its middle schools heading into the new school year.
Heidi Boardman is the new principal of Franklinton Middle School and Allen Michael Wilson is the new assistant principal of Cedar Creek Middle School.
"We are excited to welcome Ms. Boardman and Mr. Wilson to their new leadership positions within our district," said Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies responded to what was reported as a hostage situation, but said a closer investigation revealed an apparent misunderstanding.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office Chief of Staff Terry Wright said a man called authorities the morning of June 16, reporting that his daughter was being held hostage by her boyfriend at gunpoint.

LAKE ROYALE -- Heavy rains flooded some roads in Franklin County late Tuesday and early Wednesday, with Lake Royale apparently getting the worst of it.
According to Franklin County authorities, Stallings Mill Road, south of White Level, experienced some flooding. There were also reports of flooding in Centerville.
Stallings Mill Road runs above Big Peachtree Creek.

Franklinton High seniors were recognized during their cap and gown pick-up day.

Senior night parade at Louisburg High was a unique way to honor the graduates this year.

Shannon Saharski encourages Franklinton High seniors as they pick up their caps and gowns.

Sarah Sarpong of Louisburg High addresses the senior class during virtual graduation.

Chyanne Nichols, center, is given a congratulatory kiss by her dad and mom, Tim and Shannon Nichols, during the walk-through graduation event for Franklin County Early College High School.

Early College High graduates decorate their caps for the big day!