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LOUISBURG -- With COVID cases spiralling upward across the nation and Franklin County, fueled mostly by the Omicron variant, the Franklin County Board of Education on Monday night voted to keep a mask mandate in place for the foreseeable future.
The mask mandate requires masking indoors at all times for all preK-12th grade students, staff and visitors to campus, with the exception of meals and in the event of a district-approved mask exemption for medical reasons. That rule is unchanged from previous months.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County health members say a new resource for mass testing should soon be available.
The health department, in conjunction with an experienced lab, is planning to begin mass COVID-19 testing on Saturday.
"Immediately following the reports of omicron in the United States, [we] began preparing for an anticipated surge in testing demand," said Health Director Scott LaVigne.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council agreed to move forward with extending its water agreement with Franklin County and extending its corporate limits, a couple of actions the board took during its January meeting.
After adding the item to the agenda on Monday night, the council approved an amendment to its water contract with Franklin County that would tie them to a three-year deal and increase rates, going from the current rate of $3.50 per 1,000 gallons to $3.75 per 1,000 gallons, effective on Aug. 1.

LOUISBURG -- Almost hidden in a flurry of bad COVID news Monday night was a bit of potentially very good news for the Franklin County Board of Education -- and students.
The school board learned that the district is eligible to apply for a school construction grant of up to $30 million to be used for either a new elementary school or upgrades to an existing school.

Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal presented Louisburg School of Dance Owner Jennifer Nelson with an award, recognizing the group as the best entrant in the town's Christmas parade.

Franklinton basketball player Shontalae Evans

You just never know what you'll learn from reading a newspaper.
This paper is about as far from a musical entertainment publication as you can get -- but last week we learned that none of our county commissioners are country music fans.
Well, okay, let's narrow that down just a bit.

Imagine that in order to get reservations at your favorite restaurant -- one of those posh spots that everyone wants -- you had to eat there every day.
And you'd have to buy several to-go orders.
And, most likely, you'd be forced to eat enough food for 10 people, even if it's just you -- and you're not even hungry.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- John Boyce Manning Jr., 33, of Franklinton, died January 5, 2022 in his home. He was born on August 20, 1988, in Edgecombe County to the late John B. and Scarlett Bailey Manning.

LOUISBURG, NC-- Shirley Jenkins Meza, 69, of Louisburg, died Wednesday morning, January 5, 2022 at her home.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Thomas Junious Harris, age 98, passed away on January 9, 2022. Thomas was born to the late Robert Clarence and Gertrude Dement Harris on April 20, 1923. In addition to his parents, Thomas was predeceased by a son, Robert Arthur Harris; a daughter, Teresa Gail Harris; a grandson, Matthew Thomas Harris; and brothers, H.D. Harris and Ezra "Ray" Harris.

BUNN -- The accolades keep coming for David Howle -- even five years after is retirement as the Bunn High School football coach.
Howle, who spent 29 years at BHS and won 215 games, will be honored on February 5 by the North Carolina Football Coaches Association.
Howle will receive an honorary lifetime membership into the NCFCA -- the highest award that can be presented by the group.

BUNN -- Parker Haake has built a mini-dynasty on the wrestling mat at Bunn High School as the Wildcats closed out their tenure in the Northern Carolina Conference with three consecutive team championships.
But Haake didn't know what to expect this winter when the Wildcats moved from the NCC to the Class 2/3-A Big East Conference -- where a higher level of competition was destined to test Bunn.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College will kick off its much-anticipated 2022 baseball season on February 9 with a road matchup at long-time rival Lenoir Community College in Kinston.
One week later, LC will open its home schedule against Lenoir at 3 p.m. at historic Frazier Field.

HENDERSON -- Four crowns and counting -- that's the current story of the tradition-rich Kerr-Vance Academy baseball program.
The Spartans have morphed into one of the area's top high school dynasties -- regardless of sport.
And last May, Kerr-Vance claimed its fourth consecutive North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A State Baseball Championship.

ZEBULON -- The 2022 baseball season is fast approaching, and the Carolina Mudcats are expanding ticket availability with all group options including suites, the Cattails Premium Club, picnics, birthday parties and more all on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, at the Five County Stadium office and by calling (919) 269-2287.

70TH ANNIVERSARY! Willie and Ruth Tabron celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Louisburg, with a drive-thru event from noon to 2 p.m. They were married January 7, 1952 at the Franklin County Courthouse, Louisburg, NC. They have seven children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren. They reside in Louisburg.

90 YEARS YOUNG. Lucy Pearl Massenburg of Louisburg, celebrated her 90th birthday with a drive-by parade on Sunday, January 2, 2022. Nearly 50 vehicles, led by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and Gold Sand Fire Department, drove by Mrs. Massenburg's home with the blowing of sirens, honking of horns and decorated vehicles to provide her with birthday well wishes. Mrs. Massenburg greeted the participants with a wave from the window. Participants in the parade received a birthday treat of a cupcake presented in a decorative souvenir box. A prize was given to the person with the most decorated vehicle.

Kerr-Vance Academy in Henderson recently announced the second quarter and first semester honor roll and headmaster list.

North Carolina State University released their Fall 2021 Dean's List. Franklin County students on the list:

BUNN -- Town commissioners adopted a whistleblower and a data breach policy -- two things the police chief said he needed to secure a grant and law enforcement equipment.
The actions were taken during the board's Jan. 3 meeting.
The first was the Information Technology Use and Data Breach Policy.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Police continue to look for suspects in the armed robbery of a sweepstakes cafe.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
According to authorities, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the A-7 Café Sweepstakes in the 1100 block of U.S. 1 just after 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 6.

Leading up to Christmas, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County held a Christmas food distribution at the Blessings Resource Pavilion at St. Paul Presbyterian Church. Above, Stephanie Banks places a bag of food into the trunk belonging to one of the hundreds of folks who turned out.