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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County Schools are now free to operate just like virtually all other school districts in North Carolina -- and must follow all the state and federal regulations that are in place to govern schools.
That was the result of a federal court order filed at 2:26 p.m. Monday in the case of Coppedge et al v. the Franklin County Board of
Education.

LOUISBURG -- Crucial meetings between Franklin County commissioners and the county's Board of Education members are tentatively slated to begin in early September, with a specific focus on developing a long-range plan to maintain school facilities.
The meetings, first suggested by County Commission Chair Harry Foy, are supposed to foster better communication between the two boards with the goal of preventing another budgetary fiasco as has happened each of the last three fiscal years.

Josiah Talley was chasing bubbles during Bunn's National Night Out festivities on Monday. Rain postponed the event from its initial date of Aug. 6. The nationally recognized day serves as an opportunity for the community to gather with first responders and other civic and community leaders to foster better relationships. Louisburg held it's event inside on Aug. 6.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County fired its animal services director, two other employees and agreed to pay a fine after the state found shelter staff improperly euthanized a dog and mishandled cats that were being put down.
Franklin County spokesperson James Hicks confirmed that three employees that were suspended as a result of the state's investigation were terminated on Aug. 7 -- two days after the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Veterinary Division issued its civil penalty and notice of warning.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council closed an unnamed alley downtown to help clear the way for the controversial county courtroom expansion project, agreed to hold a special planning meeting this fall to discuss long-range projects and made much stronger the town's noise ordinance during a long Monday night meeting, about two hours of which was spent in a secret, closed-door session to discuss "personnel and real estate."

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners agreed to put a financial windfall, of sorts, toward bolstering town administration.
By unanimous decision, commissioners agreed to create and hire an assistant town manager.
Town Manager Nathan Page explained that the town received an updated tax scroll from Franklin County, indicating the town would receive $150,000 more in income than it anticipated.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklin County avoided devastation and tragedy when Tropical Depression Debby swept through, but just barely.
According to the National Weather Service, three tornadoes touched down in Franklin County, the most powerful of which whipped through north central Franklin County.
The first touched down the morning of Aug. 8 in the area of White Level and Hickory Rock roads, snapping and uprooting trees and causing minor damage to a home.

Newlyweds Randal Holmes and Yoli Uvalle

Here's hoping you're dried out, have the storm damage cleaned up and are ready to enjoy the last half of August, preferably without any more major, or even minor, storms.
Tropical Storm Debby was a lot to handle late last week, a somewhat weird storm which blessed us with a ton of water but, fortunately, very little wind short of a few gusts that did minimal damage.

There is an element at the very foundation of hip hop that is critical to the culture and art.
And, that key component is the hustle.
There are four pillars to hip hop and they are: MC'ing, DJ'ing, graffiti and breakdancing.
Let me explain just a little bit.

Dear editor: Kudos and the county should be proud of this, and of Lynn Bowling, and her long-time struggle and efforts to make things better for animals and animal control in Franklin County!
Last week, under Lynn's watch, a litter of abandoned newborn puppies (umbilical cords still attached, eyes closed) was saved and fostered out to be hand fed and incubated in foster homes.

Dear editor: Kamala Harris was right, she was not the border czar. She was the border czarina.

Rolesville, NC--Dorothy "Dot" Ferguson Cooke of Rolesville, 94, left this earthly life on Monday, August 12, 2024 reuniting with Maylon, her devoted husband of 70 years, and with Maylon Gray, her cherished first born.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Steven Leon Allen, 53, of Youngsville, NC, died August 11, 2024. Steven was born on November 15, 1970, to Glenda Rochelle Allen and the late Glenn Roger Allen.

Thomas Winston Dickerson Jr., 59, died August 11, 2024 at his home in Franklinton, NC. Tommy was born on February 11, 1965 to the late Thomas W. Sr. and Elizabeth "Becky" Wood Dickerson.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Virginia Chappell Tart, 91, born and raised in Franklin County, passed away on August 8, 2024 at Franklin Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Virginia was born on December 30, 1932 to the late Joseph H. and Lucy Joyner Chappell. In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her two brothers, Harvey and Joseph, and five sisters, Inez, Patty, Lucy Lee, Ethel and Rosa.

LOUISBURG, NC--William Terry Reid Sr, 74, died Monday, August 12, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

BUNN -- Students aren't the only ones who gain knowledge every day in school.
Just ask Andre' Davis, who is entering his second season as Bunn High School's football squad.
When he started teaching at Bunn three years ago, Davis expected all of his potential players to understand the rich gridiron tradition that the program has forged over the past four decades.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- It's scrimmage week in Franklin County as prep football teams undertake their respective final challenges before next Friday's regular season opening night.
Franklinton, under the direction of first-year head coach Michael Justice, headed to Smithfield-Selma for a scrimmage on Wednesday, and will return to Johnston County on Friday for an event at Corinth Holders High School.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Here are the schedules for Franklin County's high schools for the 2024 prep volleyball season:

RALEIGH -- The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation have announced that the 11th annual Canes 5K, presented by UNC Health and assisted by Raleigh Orthopaedic, will take place at PNC Arena on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 8:30 a.m.
The event will include a 5K around PNC Arena and the surrounding area, and 100- and 200-yard kids' dashes and inflatables, as well as appearances by current and former Hurricanes players, team staff and Stormy.

ZEBULON -- Just one week after being named the Carolina League Player of the Week, Carolina Mudcats outfielder, Luis Castillo, was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for July as announced last Tuesday morning.
Castillo is coming off a month in which he posted a slash line of .321/.431/.660 and led the league in slugging percentage (.660) and OPS (1.091). Additionally, Castillo was second in home runs (four) and RBI (20) and was fourth in doubles (six) and on-base percentage (.431).

Livestock judge Taylor Joyner quizzes Nolan Cross about his knowledge of sheep during the Franklin County Fun 4-H Livestock show last Friday at Wildywnne Stables.

Valerie Poole demonstrates a fountain of poultry knowledge.

Bianca Yorgason, Ellianna Beaugh and Calista Yorgason feed a chicken as they wait to exhibit the animal.

Above, from left, Meredith Poole, Extension Agent Martha Mobley, Joseph Thornburg, Destiny Ventura-Adams, poultry and rabbit judge Jonas Asbill, Ashley Escamilla-Aparicio, Danny Escamilla-Aparicio, Nolan Cross, Emma Haynes, Kendal Thornburg, Valerie Poole, Holly Thornburg, Curtis Beaugh, Ellianna Beaugh, sheep and cattle judge Taylor Joyner, Bianca Yorgason, Camden Beaugh, and Extension Director Charles Mitchell. Not pictured are Isella Escamilla-Aparico and 4-H volunteer Julie Gupton.

FUN DELAYED IS STILL FUN. The town of Bunn hosted its National Night Out event on Monday after rain cancelled previous plans to host the event on Aug. 6. Giovanni Montague and Christina Chiappette play a game set up in the Bunn Town Hall parking lot during the event designed to foster relationships between the community and first responders, including police

Franklin County resident Lance Williams was inducted into the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club during a ceremony at North Carolina 4-H Congress recently. Induction into 4-H Honor Club marks high achievement and participation in 4-H and guarantees members a connection to NC 4-H for a lifetime. Founded in 1931, Honor Club is a statewide 4-H service organization with over 3,000 members from every county in North Carolina. 4-H'ers are granted membership in NC 4-H Honor Club for outstanding accomplishments in leadership, civic engagement and community service.