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LOUISBURG -- The State Department of Transportation is set to release its latest 10-year plan for road projects.
During the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Jan. 6 meeting, Gary Faulkner, a retired State Department of Transportation engineer, and member of the U.S. 401 Citizens Action Committee that pushed the first phase of U.S. 401 improvements, said he was troubled by conversations he had with DOT staff a month or so, ago about Section D of the roadway.

Mother Nature delivered Franklin County a small taste of winter of the last few days, a bit of snow and a light covering of ice, just enough to close and delay schools, close the county convenience centers and cause other inconveniences. Fortunately, neither the snow nor the ice were enough to cause major problems and warming temperatures quickly "cured" those woes.

If you have an interest in Franklin County Schools because you have a child or children enrolled or just because you're a taxpayer and want to learn more about how the schools operate, there is a special meeting slated for February that might be enlightening.
The schools are holding a "State of the District" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Franklinton High School to highlight progress with their strategic plan goals but also showcase students, staff and "the great work taking place in our schools as we prepare for life beyond the classroom," said Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education spent a long time debating a new cell phone policy for students during a routine meeting that also saw the district get a great audit report, save big money on a heating and air conditioning system and purchase nearly 1,200 computers for students.
Like school districts across the state, local school administrators and the board are wrestling with a policy on cell phones and other electronic communication devices but has yet to reach full agreement.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners bolstered their application to secure federal funds for a portion of the Youngsville bypass.
They also resolved to ask its state leaders to revert control of Main Street to the town -- giving it the authority to, among other things, restrict pass-thru truck traffic.
Taking control of Main Street/N.C. 96 from Five Points to N. Nassau Street -- a .3-mile stretch -- comes with the benefit of town control, but it does come at a cost, Town Manager Nathan Page told commissioners during the board's Jan. 9 meeting.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg will have an interim police chief on Feb. 1, will begin putting together a "white flag" shelter and took the first, preliminary steps toward creating a shuttle service thanks to actions taken by the town council Tuesday night.
Capt. Travis Lincoln, a veteran Louisburg police officer, was unanimously named interim chief following an executive session at the end of Tuesday's meeting.
Lincoln will replace retiring Chief of Police Jason Abbott whose last day will be Jan. 31.

The question most often asked by visitors to the Louisburg Fire, Police, and Rescue Departments' Museum is "when was the Louisburg Fire Department organized?"
Anecdotal evidence states that it was formed in the very late 1800s; however, the source of this information and date is unknown.
While doing research for the book, The Louisburg Fire Department: A History, evidence was found that clearly shows this information to be erroneous. However, the actual date was not found.

Newly sworn Louisburg Police Officer Robert Maxbauer III

As one of those folks who believes that winter is best experienced by someone else -- and elsewhere -- I'd suggest we've had enough winter already.
Really, we've had a little dusting of snow, some sleet and some downright chilly weather, so enough is enough.
Let's move right along to spring -- and, yes, I know that thought is a pipe dream but some of us can dream, can't we?
Granted, some of you love even the thought of that white stuff -- and some of you actually go outside to play in it.

I tend to curate my social media presence as much as possible, so my Internet footprint isn't a total pile of burning 'you know what.'
But, obviously, one would have to be living under a rock in order to escape the utter devastation that is taking place in California.
According to published reports, the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire "broke out" on Jan. 7, growing to more than 23,000 and 14,000 acres, respectively.
At press time, the conflagration was alleged to have been responsible for 20 deaths, burning about 40,000 acres and reducing countless homes, cars and anything else in its path to ash.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Barbara Wheeler Peace, 82, of Louisburg, died Saturday morning January 11, 2025.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Catharine Louise Tatem, 74, of Louisburg passed away peacefully, with her family by her side on Saturday, January 11, 2025. She was born on February 3, 1950 to Catharine Mary Adams Wilkins and the late Guy Doug Wilkins.

HENDERSON, NC -- Dennis Scott Watson, 62, of Henderson died January 8, 2025 at Maria Parham Hospital in Henderson, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Glenda "Plunk" Eaton Teasley, age 54, who died on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, will be held 1 p.m., Friday, January 17, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Michael Alston officiating.

HENDERSON, NC -- Judah Ben Taylor, age 50, of Henderson, NC, formerly of Morrisville, NC, died Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Linda Enzor-Manson, 77, of Franklinton died Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Winston-Salem, NC -- Margie Hayes Neal, 76, of Winston-Salem, died Sunday, January 12, 2025. She was born November 18, 1948 in Franklin County, NC, to the late Graham and Fannie Hayes.

BUNN -- The town's planning board has recommended restrictions that better regulate electronic gaming operations, specifically Internet sweepstakes cafes.
Currently, the town's zoning ordinance allows such operations as a permitted use within the town's C-1 Downtown Commercial District, and can be approved at the staff level.
The town's planning staff has proposed requiring that new establishments obtain a special use permit -- which includes operation restrictions, a public hearing and approval from town officials.

LOUISBURG -- The Town Economic Development Committee got the new year off to a robust start last week, making strong recommendations about three major issues that are facing the town.
The panel, formed late last year to offer the town council ideas and suggestions on ways to improve the town's economic climate, had recommendations on closing West Johnson Street, on developing more greenways and opening up the Tar River area and for trying to preserve the historic Person Place.