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LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council on Tuesday night, agreed to close West Johnson Street between Main and Church streets, clearing the way for the county's proposed Judicial Center.
The decision ended weeks of discussion and debate, much of it happening behind closed doors, and after a concerted, last-minute push by local lawyers who want to keep the courtrooms convenient to their offices.

Framed by a large tree growing on the grounds of the old downtown Louisburg Post Office, this photo depicts what is being called "Community Station" where much work has been undeway in recent days. 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.

LOUISBURG -- Pierre Perry doesn't always write what one might want to hear.
And, Terrence Perry didn't want to go through what he did to find his voice.
But, arguably, as two of the first black writers in Franklin County -- and more certainly the most prolific -- the brothers are both happy to share their struggles, stories and successes.

The Louisburg Fire, Police, Rescue Museum is, as it is named, a museum which hopefully brings to light, and highlights, the importance and history of these Public Service Departments of the Town of Louisburg.
The museum is located in what was originally the headquarters station of the Louisburg Rescue Squad, therefore any discussion on the formation of the Louisburg Fire, Police, Rescue Museum must begin with some history of the Louisburg Rescue Squad.

The Redd family, from left, Griffin, Bodie, Tanner, Orion, Cat and Russ

Everyone has their favorite sign or indication that winter is beginning to wind down and spring is on the way.
Some look for daffodils emerging from frosty soil.
Some look for Red Bud trees beginning to show some color.
Some look to the skies where birds, especially the return of robins, give hope that milder days are on the way.

Full disclosure, in all fairness and in all honesty, this column space isn't about the decision made by Louisburg Town Council on Tuesday night.
It's primarily about "how" the decision was reached or, particularly, one of the methods used to get to that decision.
If somehow you are not familiar with the "decision" I am talking about, I would refer you to the front page of today's edition written by the boss man, Gary.
But, before that decision was made, there was a meeting of the minds and bodies of town and county leadership, with some other key players thrown in.

Louisburg, NC -- Arnola Carpenter Gilliam, 77, of Louisburg died Saturday, February 8, 2025. She was born on April 20, 1947, to the late Arnold Preston and Elnora Sparks Carpenter in Franklin County, NC.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Hazel Tart Thomas, 88, died February 11, 2025 at her home in Franklinton, with her family by her side.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Jason Jonathan Zelinack, 41, of Louisburg died February 4, 2025 at his home. Jason was born on August 29, 1983 in Edison, NJ to Robert Wowkanyn and Valleri Cursi.

FRANKLINTON, NC --Karen Diane Rueben Pursell, 68, died February 5, 2025 at her home in Franklinton, NC. Karen was born on June 15, 1956 to the late Joseph Rueben and the late Joan Detwiler Jacoby. In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by sisters, Joanne Heckman and Barbara Frankenfield; and her step-father, Jake Jacoby.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Ronald James Hormell, 65, of Louisburg, North Carolina died Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Louisburg Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Smithfield, NC -- Funeral services for Victoria M. Richardson, age 62, who died on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, will be held on Saturday, February 15, at 2 p.m. from the Bunn Chapel Baptist Church in Nashville, NC. Burial will follow in the Manning Family Cemetery.

Container gardening is more popular than ever. Edibles can be grown in containers in a variety of outdoor spaces.
Regardless of the scope or size of your container garden, selecting the right containers, planting media, and plant combinations are the first steps on the road to success.
There are many different types of containers that you can purchase, build or recycle.

This Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the JPAC at Louisburg College will feature a night of romance and great tunes. The Band of Oz is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast. The band now features a full horn section that rounds out this dynamic eight-member group. The Band of Oz still performs more than 200 shows per year for corporate events, festivals, concerts, wedding receptions, and many other public and private events.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education honored students and staff during its Monday night meeting but then turned much of its focus to the budget process. (See related story inside this edition to learn about those awards.)
Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler and Chief of Finance Quinnley Coley delivered a budget presentation to the board outlining where the district is currently, what the goals are for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 and what decisions need to be made before the district presents its funding request to the county commissioners in mid-April.

Students and staff shared the limelight at the Franklin County Board of Education meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler and board chair Meghan Jordan presented Sondra Ayscue with a certificate of appreciation for her "extraordinary service to Franklin County Schools and being recognized as the 2024-25 North Central regional technology director of the year.
Her selection qualifies her as a finalist for the 2024-2025 North Carolina Technology Director of the Year award.

BUNN -- Officers seized seized a gun from a Bunn High Student last week, but school officials said no one was in active danger.
According to a Feb. 5 letter that Bunn High Principal Tyler Morris sent home to parents and guardians, the student was taken to the office for a minor disciplinary matter.
Upon a search, authorities with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office found the gun and is conducting an investigation.

BUNN -- Bunn has hired its next police chief.
Justin Hastings brings 20 years of experience in law enforcement to the town of Bunn.
Most importantly, he said, he brings the experience of having worked in a small town and police department that is growing -- which is right where Bunn is.
"... Being in a small town [like Franklinton], gave me an opportunity to really get back to the basics; reaching out to the community, community policing, getting involved where you can actually see an impact that a positive interaction has with the community...

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's auditors presented the board with a clean financial bill of health and a healthy bottom line.
Tara Roberson with Winston, Williams, Creech, Evans & Co. provided the fiscal report to the board during its Feb. 3 meeting.
"Franklin County has received an unmodified opinion, it's known as a clean opinion," Roberson said.
"... It's the best opinion that you can get."

YOUNGSVILLE -- Bolstered by county support, engineers applied for a grant that Youngsville officials hope will help them speed up the Youngsville bypass.
To expedite planning and construction of the bypass -- which the state hadn't tapped until 2050 -- Youngsville staff hired Raleigh-based engineering firm Bolton and Menk to apply for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant.

VALENTINE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Harold and Joyce Yarborough of Louisburg will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Feb. 14. They were married Feb. 14, 1965 in a private ceremony in Louisburg. The couple has three children, Woody, Carol and Carlos; five grandchildren and one great grand-child.