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LOUISBURG -- The nation is set to recognize Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week starting on Sunday.
But, those who are fighting both problems here in Franklin County said the problem is worth recognizing for the whole month of November.
"Most places only do awareness for one week," said Beverly Kegley, who served as emcee for the candlelight vigil last Thursday on the Franklin County Courthouse steps.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council tip-toed right up to the point of approving several steps that would have cleared the way for a controversial courtroom building project by Franklin County -- but then tabled the whole matter for a month, apparently at the suggestion of Franklin County Commission Chair Harry Foy.
The non-action came after public hearings were held on several topics Tuesday night in a meeting which saw a number of other topics addressed.

In a surprise move Tuesday evening -- after an hour-long secret executive session -- the Louisburg Town Council agreed to eliminate the position of part-time fire chief held by Randy Lanham and begin the search for a full-time chief.
The move, which officials said was immediately effective, leaves the part paid, part volunteer department without a designated leader. No reason was given for such an abrupt change.

LOUISBURG -- Many who have worn the uniform -- and even those who have not -- might be familiar with the phrase: theater of war.
It's the area that is or may become directly involved in war operations.
The morning of Veterans Day 2024, Louisburg College's Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center served as the theater, as ceremony hosts held a viewing of The Veteran's Battlefield -- documenting North Carolina's veterans as they cope with life after service that has changed them, mentally, physically and emotionally.

Veteran Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott made it official Tuesday night. He told the mayor and town council that he is retiring, effective Jan. 31, 2025. Abbott began as a patrol officer with the Louisburg department in 1996 and "worked all the high spots in the department" until becoming interim police chief in April, 2017, following the retirement of Chief Rick Lassiter. The council named him chief of police in October, 2017.

Martin Dell & Steve Moore

Fall seems to be making a stealth approach across Franklin County.
Leaves are falling in clouds but the temperatures are downright moderate for this time of the year.
Of course, everything is dry as dust outdoors even though we got a tiny bit of rainfall early in the week but not nearly enough to more than slightly speed up the leaf fall and maybe settle the dust just a little.

Hey, do you hear that?!?
I'm gonna assume you're flipping around your television or watching videos on a social media platform and the break comes and guess what you don't hear?
You don't hear any more election campaign ads.
Halle-freaking-lujah!

Dear editor: When pure ignorance (don't know and don't really care) raises its ugly head, it falls to those who do know and really do care to try to save the day -- and a free nation.
The freedom flame has been left barely flickering following Nov. 5.
Ignorance at the personal level is the surest way toward "doing oneself in."

Dear editor: I read Carey Johnson's reporting of the recent County Commission meeting with dismay. I do not know Kim Denton, but I'm going to guess that, just like all the rest of us, she does not enjoy being publicly humiliated.
The County Commission seems to go into closed door session on a fairly frequent basis, and apparently did just that later that same evening.
The reason given for holding meetings behind closed doors is often stated as a personnel matter.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for David Lee Trader, age 77, who died on Friday, November 1, 2024, will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Bernice Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Fred L. Alston, age 76, who died on Saturday, November 9, 2024 will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Alston Family Cemetery.

Nashville, NC -- Funeral services for Kennedy "Kenny" Morris, age 63, who died on Saturday, November 9, 2024, will be held 1 p.m., Friday, November 15, from the Rock Hill Baptist Church in Nashville with Pastor John Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery.

KITTRELL , NC--Patricia Rowland Rogers, 86, of Rocky Ford Road, died Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at her home.

A HALF CENTURY TOGETHER. Gary Carlton Faulkner and Connie Jo Gilliam Faulkner recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary alongside their family with lunch and cake. They were married on Nov. 10, 1974 in Louisburg, NC, where they also reside today. They have three daughters, Natalie, Carla Jo (Jonathan), and Whitney (Levi), and four grandchildren, Jackson, Perry, William, and Naomi.

SPRINGFIELD, MA -- Sarah Lowery of Youngsville graduated from American International College (AIC) with a Master of Science in the Forensic Psychology program.
During the commencement, the college conferred degrees to more than 600 graduates receiving bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees from its School of Health Sciences, School of Education, and School of Business, Arts, and Sciences.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Elections is set to conclude its review of alleged ballot errors and tally its provisional ballots today.
That'll get the board one step closer to making the Nov. 5 election official. However, the race for County Commission District 3 might still be unresolved.
During early voting, at least four people told Franklin County Board of Elections staff that they believed they received and cast the incorrect ballot for District 3 -- which featured a race between incumbent Commissioner Mark Speed and Republican challenger Russell Bottoms.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A Youngsville business owner reported more than $25,000 worth of camera equipment was stolen from a warehouse.
Immediate attempts to contact the Youngsville Police Department were not successful.
According to published reports, the founder of PowerGPU reported that at least three people broke into the warehouse in the 700 block of Park Avenue during the early morning hours of Nov. 11.

THREE TIERS. The school board and community said goodbye to District 4 School Board member Debra Brodie. Brodie (right) has served the board since 2010, but lost a re-election bid to Candice Hinton. Brodie is a product of Franklin County schools, taught in the school system and served on the board. "I've really enjoyed [my time on the board]," Brodie said. "I kind of dipped my toes in all three areas and I learned a lot in each one and I've got a deep appreciation for what the administration does in regards to teachers and to parents in the county. I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience." She was presented a plaque by Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler.

Above, members of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol posted the colors on the stage of the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center at Louisburg College, the site of Monday's Franklin County Veterans Day program.

FUN-RAISER. The Boys and Girls Club of North Central North Carolina's annual Hops & Holly fundraiser was a hit as folks filled The Carolina Manor House in Franklinton, above.

Dr. Al Sayles, Natalie Famiglietti and chef Serge Falcoz-Vigne, proprietor of Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum in Wake Forest, served a shrimp and grits dish. The event featured local chefs and brewers from which to sample.

FAMILIES AFFAIR. Above, daughter-mother team Leila Kidd and Teresa West with Element Gastropub served up a vegan taco that was a hit.

ELEGANT AFFAIR. Above, Tabitha and Ty Harris gave the evening some elegance, as they were all smiles at the event that raised funds for the local Boys and Girls Clubs in Franklin County.