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FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklin County will begin its Christmas festivities in earnest this week, starting on Thursday night.
• The town of Franklinton will host its annual Christmas parade the evening of Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., in downtown Franklinton.
It is the areas's only nighttime parade. The town held its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 26. The tree was placed in the courtyard of Franklinton Middle School.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing to gauge the public's interest in financing up to $20 million to improve the county's emergency radio system.
During a May 17 meeting, commissioners approved a $395,000 agreement with Liberty, Mo.-based TUSA Consulting to develop and issue request for proposals to oversee implementation of an enhanced emergency communications system -- a 700/800 MHz digital simulcast trunked radio network capable of meeting current and future needs, reliably and functionally, county staff have said.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Filing for the spring primary, which will either decide or shape races into the fall 2022 general election, starts on Dec. 6.
The elections will test new district maps, lead to a new sheriff, as well as new Congressional representation for Franklin County and the region.
In November, Franklin County commissioners approved redistricting maps that will guide elections for the next decade.

Jennifer and Adam Spinelli, third from left and eighth from left, respectively, donated items to the Youngsville Police Department, which was hosting a Toys for Tots Fill-a-Cruiser drive on Nov. 20. They got assistance from, from left, Santa (Peter Birkner), Sergeant Steinbrunner, Mandalorian cosplayer Don Stamegna, Mayor Fonzie Flowers, Staff Sergeant Houston, Captain Lemons, and Mandalorian cosplayer Troy Treakle.

FRANKLINTON -- During the last meeting before a change in the board and as 2021 comes to a close, staff provided a sort of State of Franklinton presentation to the board.
The town's Public Works department has retired some outdated equipment, Parks and Recreation has brought in some new activities and the town's governing board has set policies that have borne fruit.

LOUISBURG -- Police are looking for suspects in a sweepstakes robbery.
According to authorities, three suspects brandishing weapons entered the Happy Sweepstakes in Franklin Plaza at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
They demanded money from the business attendant and left on foot, according to authorities.

Ian and Brent Walston

Here's hoping you and your family had a wonderful and safe Turkey Day and are all primed for the upcoming Christmas holiday events.
Last year's holiday season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but, although the bug is still around and dangerous, a lot more activities will be happening this year, especially outdoors. Hopefully, this newest bug, Omicron, won't be a huge problem.
We'll keep you updated on the Christmas events this year -- and a story elsewhere in this edition details the days and times of the annual Christmas parades.

It's the week after Thanksgiving.
Black Friday is in the rear-view mirror.
So is Cyber Monday. And, Christmas is still weeks away.
But, that doesn't mean I can't give thanks for the things I appreciate, recognize the presents we've gotten, or begin to craft a wish list for the things I'd like.

KITTRELL, NC -- Edith Elaine Tanner passed away on November 11, 2021, she was born on June 29, 1973 to Edmund Davis and Mary Shorkey Tanner. Edith was predeceased by three daughters, Hannah, Anna, and Alicia Crone.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- George Bullock Dickerson, 86, of Franklinton passed away Monday, November 22, 2021. He was born on November 16, 1935 to the late George W. and Irma Perry Dickerson. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Marion; a brother William Dickerson; sister, Eula Mae Davis and a grandson.

WAKE FOREST--Mary Jane McCutchan, 91, of Wake Forest, NC passed away Saturday, November 13, 2021. She was born April 12, 1930 in Oswego, NY to the late Martin D. Moshier, Sr. and Ann VanPatten Moshier.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Medicus E. (Med) Bragg, age 97, passed away on November 26, 2021 at his home. Med was born in the Pocomoke community of Granville County to the late Bayard L. Bragg and Norma Moore Bragg in 1924. He attended N.C. State University, but left to serve his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Wake Forest University and began work at his family's cotton gin in Franklinton. After his 1954 marriage to Louise Strother Bragg, who predeceased him in 2016, the couple moved to Washington, D.C. where he received a master's degree from George Washington University while working for the U.S. Senate Library.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Omega Rufus Jackson, III, 81, of Louisburg, passed away November 17, 2021. He was born on October 19, 1940, to the late Margaret Ellis Jackson and Omega Rufus Jackson Jr.. Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jo Peebles.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University enjoyed one of its most memorable football moments in recent history last Friday -- and a pair of area standouts once again made key contributions to the Wolfpack's success.
Southern Nash High School alum Zonovan 'Bam' Knight and Franklin County native Ricky Person excelled for NC State during the Wolfpack's 34-30 comeback victory over rival North Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

FRANKLINTON -- Friday night is destined to be an emotional time at the Franklinton High School Gymnasium as the town and school will honor one of its all-time favorite native sons.
Just before the FHS-Knightdale girls basketball game (around 5:30-5:45 p.m.), Franklinton will conduct a ceremony to salute long-time coach and mentor Lester Wilder with the unveiling of the Lester Wilder Court.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Uncertainty was a keyword for the Big East Conference football scene heading into the 2021 campaign as the newly structured, split-classification league was going to feature eight schools -- four on the Class 3-A level and four more on the Class 2-A level.
Nobody was quite sure how the season was going to transpire. But once things came into full view, it was a given that the conference was going to once again be strong on the gridiron.

FRANKLINTON -- The North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association's Class 3-A Region 3 Boys Team has quite a distinct Franklinton High School flair to it this fall -- and for good reason.
Franklinton was a dominant force in the region in 2021, going 20-5 while taking second place in the Big East Conference regular season and tournament standings.
The Red Rams have enjoyed a tremendous five-year run on the Class 3-A level out of the Big East -- a surge that doesn't seem to be on the verge of ending soon.

GETTING THE GIST OF THE GRIST. Owners of Laurel Mill, along with the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Committee, hosted an open house on Nov. 20, showing off the picturesque, historic mill and its equipment, above. Above, Northeast Franklin group member Alice Faye Hunter, right, talks with George and Judy Parrish.

Paige Sayles and John Allers, with the Franklin County Boys & Girls Club, prepare barbecue plates during their Nov. 15 fundraiser.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A Franklin County man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Thanksgiving.
According to the State Highway Patrol, Wesley Dwayne Ferrell was traveling west on N.C. 96 when the Honda Accord he was driving crossed the center line, ran off the road to the left and hit multiple trees.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are investigating a series of thefts from vehicles.
On Nov. 25, a handful of thefts from motor vehicles and vehicle break-ins were reported in the Franklinton area.
The following incidents were reported:

BSA Troop 555 of Louisburg assisted the Halifax Resolves Chapter NC SAR with two grave marking ceremonies on October 16 in Youngsville and Louisburg. Certificates of appreciation were presented by Bill Riggan, Halifax Resolves NC SAR to scouts and leaders who helped with setting up the flags, sound system, passing out the programs and directing participates in placing wreaths. The troop also rendered honors to the patriots and compatriots being honored.

LOUISBURG -- Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Governor's Volunteer Service Award.
The awards program, created by the Office of the Governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers.
Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.