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LOUISBURG -- Spending by visitors to Franklin County showed a significant increase in 2023 over 2022, but the benefits that tourism provided Franklin County lagged well behind other counties in this region.
Visitors to Franklin County spent about $42.1 million, up 10.6 percent from the previous year but amounting to just one-tenth of a percent of the state's share of such spending.

LOUISBURG -- A Franklinton resident shared an ongoing horror story that demonstrates a breakdown in animal control.
For the past year and a half, Susan Dobie said, a neighbor's unrestrained dog has attacked her dogs, herself and her husband -- forcing them now to have to carry pistols to feel safe in their own backyard.
During Monday's meeting of the Franklin County Animal Services Advisory Board, Dobie shared her exasperating struggle to have the problem addressed.

What is being called Community Station is being planned for the former convenience store property in downtown Louisburg, directly across North Main Street from the Post Office. The town is using funds from a variety of sources, both grants and local tax money, to make this project a reality. The goal, officials say, is a public, multi-purpose building of about 1,500 square feet that would be available for meetings, gatherings, classes and other activities. As these preliminary designs from the firm of Oakley-Collier indicate, the building (shown above) will include rest rooms accessible from outside and grounds around the building set up for food trucks, an activity area and seating.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners recognized community heroes during its most recent meeting.
First, along with members of Franklinton American Legion Post 52, they recognized Eric Pearce for his life-saving efforts back in June.
Then, they made official a sponsorship with the Bunn CERT Lions, allowing the civic group -- with former first responders making up a large number of its membership -- to solidify life-saving efforts in Bunn in partnership with the county.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A New Jersey refurbished computer company is slated to open a production center in the county's newest business park.
PlanITROI -- a leading provider of secure, purpose-driven IT lifecycle management solutions -- is establishing a production Center of Excellence in Franklin County at the U.S. 1 North Commerce Center.
PlanITROI's expansion brings represents a $9 million investment and creates 100 new full-time jobs, county economic development staff said.

UTILITIES DIRECTOR. Although no official announcement has been made, Lee Brown, who held a similar position in neighboring Nashville is to take over the utilities director's job in Louisburg on Sept. 10. Brown became Nashville's utility director in August, 2019, and resigned in June of this year. He is originally from Minnesota and is married to Georgia Davis Brown of the Sandy Cross area of Nash County.

County resident Terry Satterwhite

Just looked at the calendar and got a shock!
This is our last edition of August -- which happens to be the eighth month of the year.
And next Monday -- next Monday! -- will be Labor Day.
Seems like only yesterday that I was in Alert taking pictures of the Fourth of July parade!

If you've regularly picked up a copy of The Franklin Times since January 2019, then you are probably aware of a dedicated group of animal welfare advocates who have urged Franklin County officials and management to make improvements and changes within the Animal Services department.
Unlike decisions on pickleball courts and dog parks, swift action regarding improvements within Animal Services have been slow to come by ... glacially slow, if you ask most folks.

Dear editor: No matter what type of education makes sense for your family or friends, thriving public schools are good for all of us.
Public schools have been a cornerstone of America since its founding almost 250 years ago - and now they're more important than ever before.
A healthy system of public education benefits everyone, whether by boosting our economy, reducing crime, promoting good citizenship, or encouraging achievement.

Dear editor: I watched a good portion of the Democratic National Convention last week, but I am not sure I received a lot of information. The main theme appeared to focus on joy and Trump.
If these new candidates are successful, what will the future hold? Will the problems at our southern border be resolved? What can we expect as far as inflation the next four years? Will we see a reduction in crime and better education in our major cities? Will we see improvement in the foreign wars in Europe and the Mideast?

Dear editor: What I would like to know is why the so-called county manager and the county commissioners are not made to tell the citizens of Franklin County why we are paying some guy $20,000 a month of our money to find water and not tell anyone what he has done.
I received my tax bill and I will pay like I have always done, but it makes me mad as hell that some of it will go to continue this "crap."

Louisburg, NC - Funeral services for Eugene E. Martin, age 89, who died on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, September 1, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

Nashville, NC--Funeral services for John Lynch, age 66, who died on Sunday, August 25, 2024, will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Christopher Hedgepeth officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Delight Baptist Church Cemetery.

Epsom, NC--Mary Leigh Ayscue Roberson, 73, passed away on August 26, 2024. Mary was born on September 4, 1950 to the late Charles T. and Ruth Divers Ayscue. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Wayne Roberson.

SPRING HOPE, NC--Willis Warren Matthews, 84, of Spring Hope, died August 26, 2024 at his home. Willis was born on August 6, 1940 to the late William Warren and Lucille Hayes Matthews. In addition to his parents, Willis was preceeded in death by sisters, Barbara Holderfield, and Joyce Coats.

BUNN -- It took awhile, but Bunn was finally able to shake Louisburg's defensive-minded stance during Monday's non-conference boys soccer action on the BHS campus.
After scoring a single goal in the opening half, Bunn broke out in a big way after the break, delivering five unanswered tallies in the second half of action to secure a 6-0 decision.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Needless to say, this wasn't the way Franklin County's three high school football teams wanted to start the regular season -- but the best may yet be to come, based on the potential that was displayed during each contest.
The county's clubs were outscored by 86-25 as part of an opening week that featured a trio of strong non-conference opponents.

HICKORY -- After winning the regional tournament in Garner, the Louisburg 15U All-Stars traveled to Hickory to compete in the Tar Heel League State Tournament.
They posted a 2-2 record, earning them 4th place.
Opening ceremonies were held on July 25, but rain postponed that night's first round of games until the following morning.
Louisburg drew Edenton for its opener. They started a little rocky, giving up four runs in the first inning off of four walks and a hit allowed by Braden Jackson.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Which team is the favorite to claim the Big East Conference volleyball championship this season?
Given past history, the answer should appear to be a simple one as the Franklinton Lady Rams have dominated the league for the last several campaigns -- including sweeps of the Big East regular season and tournament crowns in 2023.

TAMPA, FLA. -- Barton College's Kameron Johnson, a Northern Nash High School alum, has earned a spot on the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the final roster was made official for the 2024 season.
Johnson, who plays wide receiver, signed a free agent contract with the Buccaneers this past May.
Johnson is Barton's most prolific receiver, ranking first on the Bulldogs' all-time list for receptions (151), yards receiving (2,316) and touchdown catches (17).

MAY 2025 WEDDING PLANNED. Ashton Clendenin and Robbie Satterwhite, both of Bunn, NC, announce their engagement. Ashton is the daughter of David and Rachel Clendenin of Wake Forest. Robbie is the son of Ray and Debbie Satterwhite, of Bunn. The wedding will take place in Louisburg on May 16, 2025.

As the Superintendent of Franklin County Schools, it is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome our students, families, and staff back for the 2024-25 school year.
The start of a new academic year always brings a sense of renewed energy and optimism, and this year is no exception.
Our schools have already hit the ground running, and we are eager to embark on this journey with you.

Studying is vital to academic performance. At the dawn of a new school year, students get a fresh start to improve upon or continue strong their study habits. Teachers will be rolling out their curricula, and that may feel overwhelming. However, optimizing study skills can boost confidence in school and in areas outside of the classroom. These study tips can put students on a path for success.

Parents know that growing children need a lot of food. According to pediatric dietitian Hanna Leikin, MS, RD, CSP, LD, kids need a higher calorie demand per body weight compared to adults to support bone development, muscle growth and other bodily functions. Perhaps that's why it seems like a stocked refrigerator or pantry can become barren in just a few days when kids are in the house.
Children are frequently looking for snacks between meals, which means that parents need to have a variety of snack foods at the ready for their youngsters.

NEW OFFICERS SWORN IN. Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal (right) handled the swearing in duties for two new Louisburg police officers during a recent town council meeting. In the photo above, Lonnie E. Shumate takes the oath while his wife, Jhadiah, holds the Bible.

SHOWING CALVES. 4-H'ers from Franklin and Warren counties competed in the Johnston County Dairy Show recently in Smithfield against youth from Johnston and Alamance counties. The show was the end of the project in which the 4-H'ers had two months to train a group of Holstein and Jersey calves to get them ready to compete in the show. For more information about the 4-H Youth Development program, contact the local Cooperative Extension office at 919-496-3344 or Meg Wyatt, 4-H youth development agent.

LOUISBURG -- The leader of the county's animal services department committed to reviewing a policy manual that defined operating procedures within the department for years -- but somehow got lost in transitions of power at the shelter.
In their quest to improve the department, animal welfare advocates have long urged the county to re-adopt standard operating procedures that were put in place when animal control was overhauled decades ago.

LOUISBURG -- A hearing earlier this month served as a chance to update some long-gestating murder cases.
• Daryl Lamont Jones
In November 2020, Franklin County investigators arrested Daryl Lamont Jones, alleging he shot and killed Mariano Palacios-Hortelano following an altercation the evening of Oct. 27.