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LOUISBURG -- The solution to Louisburg's -- and perhaps Franklin County's -- long-term water needs is likely a reservoir, built off stream from the Tar River but able to draw water from the river during peak flows and store that water until it's needed.
That's the gist of a long report presented last Thursday evening to the Louisburg Town Council by Reed Palmer, a civil engineer who is a senior associate of Hazen and Sawyer, the firm hired last summer by the town to take a look at its future water source requirements.

Santa Claus has been one busy fellow in recent weeks with all those trips back and forth to the North Pole, making sure to visit all the local parades and taking time to hear the wish lists of children who know they have been nice without a even a naughty thought. Santa's most recent visit -- at least as far as we know -- was at the Alert Christmas Parade where he waved to spectators from a red sports car instead of his more traditional sleigh.

LOUISBURG -- Suspects in four separate cases accused of killing or causing the death of an infant, a five-year-old, a middle school student and a 54-year-old sitting on his own front porch had their day in court this week.
Resident Senior Superior Court Judge John Dunlow held court to gauge the status on pending murder cases in Franklin County, and in four of them suspects entered guilty pleas, bringing cases as old as three years to a close.

Okay, maybe two ... or, even three. Unless you're from Franklinton where you really do get just one guess! A hint, this was added to the Innovation Park, formerly known as Franklinton Park, during ribbon cutting ceremonies this week. And, hint number two, this design is the work of two talented Franklinton High School students and utilizes a STEM theme.

RALEIGH -- The State Supreme Court ruled that a judge who removed the previous clerk of court had the authority to do so.
They also ruled that the bar by which Judge Thomas Lock removed Patricia Chastain was higher than is required by law and the matter has been sent back down to him for a final decision.
The courts did rule, though, that Lock erred when he based his initial decision on some allegations against Chastain that were not included in Louisburg attorney Jeffrey Thompson's initial complaint -- which accused Chastain of egregious and erratic behavior.

Joyce Green McLeod, during the county's Senior Center Veterans Day breakfast

At the risk of frightening some of our readers, allow me to remind you that Santa Claus is planning to make his annual rounds next week, ready or not!
Hardly seems possible that we're in the final days of 2024 and soon we'll all be struggling to write 2025!
Hope you've got your holiday shopping and plans in order -- and allow us here at The Times to wish all our readers a very Merry and safe Christmas, 2024!
And, here's hoping that Santa will be good to you and yours, especially the little ones who get so excited this time of the year.

I must admit, for the past couple of weeks, I've been living under a rock.
At least I must have been because when someone asked me about all the drones, I had no idea what they were talking about.
Apparently, in the past few weeks, civilians and lawmakers have reported drone sightings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Ohio and other states.

Dear editor: We, the Louisburg Southside Neighborhood Association, want each of you to know that we unequivocally support the Mayor and the Council in all of their continuous efforts to keep the citizens of Louisburg both safe and secure.

Dear editor: Shame! Shame! Shame!, as Gomer Pyle would say.
The greatest Christian nation in the world just elected a criminal felon as president of the "free" world.
Even Gomer Pyle would have known better. Where are the brains of the populace that so many USA citizens think that Trump is going to take care of everything wrong that was begun by him eight years ago and the hole will just get deeper and more abyss.

Dear editor: I wonder how many "go-figure" people in Franklin County will get invitations to their idol's inauguration in January.
"Go figure."

CASTALIA, NC--Alton Rex Murphy Sr., 81, of Castalia, NC died at his home December 11, 2024.

Arthur "Buddy" Maitland Burkam III, 67, died Monday, December 9, 2024. He was born on June 25, 1957 to the late Arthur M. Burkam Jr. and Hazel Wilson Burkam in Tampa, Florida.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Curtis Lee O'Neal II, 17, of Youngsville, NC, died on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Eugene Yarborough, III, age 69, who died on Sunday, December 15, 2024, will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. from the Allen Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Stanley Dunston officiating. Burial will follow in the Allen Chapel Church cemetery.

Henderson, NC -- Funeral services for Lola Jean Moore, age 85, who died on Sunday, December 15, 2024, will be held on Friday, December 20, at 1 p.m. from the Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Micah Mason officiating. Burial will follow in the Nelson Chapel Church cemetery.

DALE CITY, VA -- Funeral services for Odessa B. Hines, age 84, of Dale City, VA, formerly of Nashville, NC, who died on Saturday, December 14, 2024, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 22, 2024 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Minister Deral Hedgepeth officiating. Burial will follow in the Lynch Family Cemetery in Hollister.

Enfield, NC--Funeral services for Samuel Clark Richardson, age 86, who died on Sunday, December 15, 2024, will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. from the Walter's Chapel Holiness Church in Hollister with Elder John Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the Walter's Chapel Church Cemetery.

SPIRIT OF THE SEASON. The Louisburg Magnet High School band didn't just march in the Louisburg Christmas Parade, they also provided some of the music that makes the season festive.

Now that's the way to 'march' in a parade!

Terrell Lane and Louisburg football players rode in style in the Louisburg Christmas Parade

Flying American flags added a patriotic touch to the Youngsville Wreaths Across America ceremony, one of three in the county

SALUTE. An ROTC cadet places a wreath and salutes during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Youngsville Cemetery last Saturday. It was part of a nationwide event to remember servicemen and servicewomen who have passed.

VIGILANT. Above, Past American Legion Department of North Carolina Commander Michael Donnelly placed a wreath in honor of deceased Navy veterans in Franklinton.

Louisburg Town Councilwoman and event organizer Silke Stein opened the ceremony reminding visitors about the event's importance.

Santa was a hit in the Town of Youngsville's Christmas parade.

LOUISBURG'S COUNCIL and Town Administrator Sean Medlin tossed candy to spectators during the annual event.

LARGE AND IN CHARGE. Motorists often have to yield the road to large farm equipment and Bunn's Christmas parade was no different as this John Deere row crop tractor was a Vollmer Farm entry during the town's Dec. 8 parade -- which was part of the town's holiday festivities.

TOBY AND FRIENDS. An Aussie Doodle therapy dog like Toby has lots of friends, including Lt. Kyle Horton, Leah Goodsell (left) and Celsey Horton, all of whom enjoyed the Alert Christmas parade.

READY FOR SANTA. Not only was this trio ready for the upcoming visit from Santa Claus, they were also getting ready for the Alert Christmas parade. From the left are Steve Burnette, Payton Stephens and Georgette Burnette.

PARADE WATCHERS. Among the crowd watching the Christmas parade in Alert last Saturday were (from the left) Kimberly Hayes, Aubree' Solomon, Pauline Anderson and James Anderson.

YOU NAME IT and this entry had it all. Children tossing candy, a Christmas tree, a young lady all dressed up for the holidays and, unless eyes deceive, that could be the Grinch holding a small dog.

Leaders from the United Way of Franklin County, Franklin County, and local businesses gathered Monday to celebrate the opening of a new basketball court and other planned improvements at Franklinton Innovation Park.

FRANKLINTON -- Even a chilly rain and temperatures hovering in the 40s didn't chill the enthusiasm in Franklinton early Monday when the ribbon was cut signalling several park improvements thanks to the United Way and local businesses.
Leaders from Franklin County, United Way of Franklin County, Novonesis, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC ,Turf Grass Council of NC, Sunrock, K-FLEX, and community officials gathered at Franklinton Innovation Park, formerly known as Franklinton Park, to celebrate the opening of a new basketball court.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town staff installed new speed limit signs, giving officers the authority to enforce lower speed limits approved by town commissioners.
For years, officials have debated measures to slow down traffic on side streets -- an increasing problem as motorists try to avoid Main Street/N.C. 96 congestion.
A bypass is the long-term and permanent solution, but even as officials and management have made efforts to expedite the project, it's still years away.

FRANKLINTON -- A weekend fire left someone homeless, but no injuries were reported.
According to Franklin County emergency authorities, crews from across the county -- as well as Wake County -- were dispatched to a mobile home fire on Percy Cook Way and N.C. 56. at about 10 a.m. on Dec. 14.

FRANKLINTON -- A 17-year-old from Youngsville was killed in fiery wreck last week.
The State Highway Patrol confirmed that Curtis Lee O'Neal II died in the Dec. 12 single-vehicle incident.
According to Franklin County emergency authorities, Franklinton firefighters, sheriff's deputies, emergency medical staff and the State Highway Patrol responded to the 2100 block of Green Hill Road just after 1:30 p.m. that day to find a vehicle overturned and on fire.

50 YEARS OF SERVICE. Richard Bowers was honored on Dec. 1, 2024 at Rustic Building Supply's annual Christmas dinner. Jimmy and Linda Cottrell presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 50 years of dedication to Wilson Building Supply and Rustic Building Supply. Richard started on August 12, 1974 at the age of 22. He's had a lot of titles over the years -- salesman; teacher to new salesmen; assistant with new ideas; and as many customers know, he loves to be a jokester with snakes and spiders!