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LOUISBURG -- In a special meeting that lasted barely 10 minutes Monday evening, the Franklin County commissioners did an abrupt about face and fully funded the Franklin County Schools' current expense budget request.
The move, which obviously had been ironed out prior to the meeting since there was absolutely no discussion about the change, effectively ends a two-month standoff between the school system and the county.

LOUISBURG -- Lake Royale residents were out in force this week, demanding to know why their police chief was ousted at the start of a week-long Jr. Police Camp.
According to those close to the situation, Interim Chief Gabe Fanara was asked to either resign or be terminated following a private Lake Royale Board of Directors meeting on June 9.
That discussion, according to a social media post attributed to the Lake Royale Police Department, was about apparent discussions to dismantle the police department and allegations of insubordination lodged against Fanara -- who became interim chief in January.

LOUISBURG -- The effort to remove the last vestiges of federal oversight of the 50-plus-year-old desegregation order facing Franklin County Schools was the focus of a public hearing Monday night during the school board's regular session.
When Franklin County Schools began to desegregate in the 1960s, the district was placed under a court order that regulated many concerns like majority-minority enrollment, teachers, staff, transportation and a host of other concerns affecting students.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council took several steps toward meeting current and future challenges during its Tuesday night meeting.
The council created a permanent Economic Development Committee, hired a consulting engineering firm with expertise in water to help situate the town to meet future needs and agreed to contact Louisburg College officials about potential cooperation on the long-discussed College Street extension.
In addition, the council passed a resolution in support of Franklin County Schools, citing the importance of education to the future of the town and county.

LOUISBURG -- Earlier in the school year, Louisburg Magnet High School students asked Principal Tonya Treadway: 'Do you stand on business?"
Without hesitation and, honestly, without knowing the latest slang, Treadway said: 'Of course I do."
They laughed. And, she Googled.
The slang phrase essentially means that you're taking care of your obligations.

BUNN -- It felt appropriate that there was a Taylor Swift reference on the football field.
As about 180 students received their diplomas from Bunn High School, Valedictorian Rachel Baker quoted the pop icon, businesswoman and most popular Kansas City Chiefs (and Travis Kelce) fan during Tuesday's commencement.
"... She once said 'I want to be defined by the things that I love, not the things that I hate, not the things that I'm afraid of,'" Baker said, quoting lyrics from Daylight.

Franklinton's Cora Grace Roberson

There's an old saying that "all's well that ends well."
Maybe sometimes but not always!
Thanks to a dramatic change of direction Monday night, Franklin County commissioners decided to fully fund the county schools' request -- at least the current expense portion.

Quite honestly, I don't remember much about my high school graduation.
What I do remember is that it was hot -- as are most June mornings in the South.
I remember being happy about the journey, glad it was over and pretty terrified for what my future held.
I certainly don't remember who addressed our class or what they said.

Dear editor: We celebrate important days, weeks, and months for various topics in our country.
Military Appreciation Month is in May, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October, and National Hobby Month is in January.
Often we have months to celebrate people who have undergone a significant struggle for equality in America. February is Black History Month, November is Native American Heritage Month, and July is Disability Pride Month.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Alta Mae Debnam Sandling, 91, died June 6, 2024 at her home in Youngsville, NC.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Michael Carlis Penny, age 55, of Franklinton, died Monday June 3, 2024.

LOUISBURG -- Following in the gargantuan footsteps of a legendary parent -- while creating a legacy of your own -- can be quite a challenge for a high school athlete.
And when your father is Donte' Strickland, those thunderous footsteps are even more pronounced.

ATHENS, GA. -- For the fourth time in program history and the third time since 2013, the North Carolina State University baseball team is heading to the Men's College World Series after defeating No. 7 national seed Georgia 8-5 in a winner-take-all Super Regional matchup on Monday night at Foley Field on the UGA campus.

WILSON -- Known for its affection for strong recruiting in Eastern North Carolina, the Barton College softball program boasted a tremendous trio of area players this spring -- including one in a newfound role.
That performer would be former second sacker Emily Bell, who graduated from Barton in 2023, but decided to remain with the program this past season as a first-year assistant coach.

LOUISBURG -- Elijah Jamison is coming home. Or at least much closer to it.
After two years as a member of the University of Milwaukee men's basketball team, the former Louisburg High School graduate has announced his intention to transfer to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington for his final two campaigns.

A group of ladies from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and their guests went time traveling one recent Sunday afternoon -- although they never left the confines of the historic Person Place in Louisburg.
Their journey back in American history focused on Eliza House Trist (Circa 1751-1828) who was a native of Philadelphia and went west, two decades before Lewis and Clark.

Father Tracy Smith hugs son and graduate Dillon Smith

Louisburg Magnet High Principal Tonya Treadway hands a diploma to Jayden Burgess.

Valedictorian Jessica Foster advises students to live in the moment.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners agreed to move forward with an EMS station near the airport and, next week, they'll be seeking approval to move forward with a new station to serve Bunn.
In March 2022, consultants presented county commissioners with the results of an EMS study that revealed, among other things, the need for better EMS facilities ­-- including a new station to serve Bunn, one in Louisburg and one in Franklinton.

FINAL APPROACH. Triangle North Executive Airport Director Bo Carson, left, and Board chair John Allers present Lori Duke with a parting gift for her nearly 30 years of service to the county. Duke serves as administrative support specialist for the county's Economic Development office and serves as support staff for the airport board. Duke's last day is June 28, but Tuesday was her last meeting with the airport board.

ZEBULON -- Authorities located a woman who had been missing for about two weeks.
According to sources close to the matter, Gwen Ray Bunn was found in a field on Brantley Town Road and Medlin Lane -- less than five miles from her Pilot-Riley Road home.
Bunn, 75, was reported to have been in critical condition when she was located and transported to WakeMed by Franklin County EMS.

RALEIGH -- The state is providing more than $2.5 million in grants to support North Carolina libraries, including two sums of funds for Franklin County library projects.
The State Library of North Carolina announced last week that it was providing $2.52 million to 41 libraries across the state.
The funding comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.