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LOUISBURG -- By an unusual, split 4-to-3 vote during a virtual, emergency meeting Monday night, the Louisburg Town Council decided to move the Confederate Monument that has been on North Main Street for 106 years to nearby Oakwood Cemetery and place it near the graves of Confederate soldiers.
The action came as symbols of the Confederacy around the nation are coming under increased scrutiny and many are being removed.

FRANKLINTON -- Developers have asked town officials to put a little heat under the county's efforts to allocate water.
In July 2017, Franklin County adopted an ordinance that more prudently outlined how they would allocate water for residential and business development.
The guideline was put in place after a summer 2016 water and sewer study revealed that about 90 percent of the county's water supply was either being used or had already been allocated.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners agreed to let residents weigh in on whether they should amend its noise ordinance, allowing outdoor music to extend longer into the evening.
Right now, sound beyond a certain decibel level is prohibited after 9 p.m.
Noise, particularly as downtown business development continues to encroach on residences, has been an issue residents, businesses and officials have tried to navigate for at least the past three years.

Soon-to-be 10-year-old Jonathon Reints

Don't look now but in just five days from the date of this edition, one half of 2020 will be behind us.
And what a strange year it's been so far.
Just six short months ago we were all watching -- or steadfastly ignoring -- the Super Bowl, the idea of a viral pandemic sweeping the world was on the minds of very few people.

When you've been somewhere for a few years, you develop a bit of institutional history.
So, it's been an interesting past few months as leaders in both the towns of Youngsville and Franklinton are hearing from developers who are dissatisfied with the county's water allocation process.
That's because, it wasn't that long ago that both towns were in charge of their own utility systems.

Dear editor: We write regarding your editorial calling on Louisburg College Trustees to make a statement about the Confederate Memorial on Main Street and the accompanying photograph linking the college to the monument.
The trustees have not held a meeting, but the undersigned officers of the board and trustees who live in Franklin County offer the following thoughts.
The monument is not owned by the college (apparently, rather, by the Town of Louisburg) and was not erected as part of the college.

Dear editor: In the August 24, 2017 edition of this newspaper, you printed letters by Dan Collette, Thomas Allen and Wayne Parrish. All three were very good opinion pieces and are just as appropriate today.
Mr. Allen's letter was titled "New America, land of inclusion?" He spoke of the intolerance in America of "all that is Confederate, Southern, White and real Christianity."

LOUISBURG--Lillie Mae Gay Terrell was born in Franklin County, NC to Wilson and Lossie Sykes Gay on October 3, 1927. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She never met a stranger and the sharing of new friends was always a joy to her.

RALEIGH -- The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2019-2020 Academic All-Conference Team.
This past season produced a record 1,702 honorees, with 84 student-athletes representing William Peace University Athletics.
A student-athlete must have earned a 3.30 GPA in each of the two semesters of a given year to be eligible.

LOUISBURG -- Who wouldn't want to have the services of an All-American player for one more year?
That's the sentiment within the Louisburg College softball program these days after it was announced that sophomore superstar third baseman Haleigh Joyner will be returning for the 2021 season.

RALEIGH -- On July 4, anyone in North Carolina, regardless of age, can enjoy one of the state's best outdoor activities for free.
Free Fishing Day, which runs from 12 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., offers residents and out-of-state visitors the opportunity to fish without having to purchase a license; however, all other fishing regulations apply, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions.

GREENSBORO -- The North Carolina Coaches Association has announced the coaches for the 2021 East-West All-Star Games.
As has already been announced, the 2020 NCCA East-West All-Star games have been canceled due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 this summer.
Consequently, the NCCA has invited the 2020 coaches to coach in next year's games. All have accepted.

Before the coronavirus broke out, Franklin County Schools held an art contest for local elementary school students, featuring the theme "Wetlands are Wonderful." Their entries were turned in right after Christmas 2019 and a winner was to be announced in the spring. Laurel Mill Elementary fourth grade student Hailey Burnette, 10, won first place for her class at Laurel Mill and she also placed first for the county.

Restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have saved untold numbers of lives. The world has adjusted to such restrictions, and many parts of the world have relaxed measures as case numbers have declined.
As communities begin returning to some semblance of normalcy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned people against letting their guard down.

In May 1914, the Joseph J. Davis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy brought to a successful close their diligent effort to erect a monument in Louisburg memorializing the soldiers from Franklin County who fought for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
Although their work no doubt reflected a sincere desire to honor the sacrifices made by their fathers, husbands, or other loved ones, it epitomized what has come to be known by historians as the "Lost Cause" movement.

LOUISBURG -- Deputies captured a low-risk jail inmate who tried to escape.
According to authorities, Jerquannzie T. Rodwell, 25, was working as a jail trustee in the jail kitchen at about 8 a.m. on June 22.
Rodwell was able to get away from the jail on T. Kemp Road, but a maintenance crew saw him and authorities captured him after he ran into the woods near West River Road.

FRANKLINTON -- Sheriff's deputies are looking for a Franklinton man accused of shooting a man in the stomach.
Authorities took out warrants over the weekend against 28-year-old Jaquan Sebastian Allen.
According to investigators, deputies responded to a reported shooting on Cedar Hill Drive just outside of Franklinton during the early morning hours of June 20.