FRONT PAGE

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Elections made the Nov. 5 election official.
The Nov. 15 canvassing did extend Commissioner Mark Speed's win over Russell Bottoms for the District 3 seat -- taking a recount request off the table.
On election day, Bottoms was within 1 percent of Speed, which would have given him the ability to demand a recount.
But, after tabulating provisional and absentee ballots, Speed earned 3,716 votes to 3,633 for Bottoms -- a difference of 1.12 percent.

Emma Ruth Stewart, who served 30 years as a Louisburg council member and has been involved in many civic projects, received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine award Sunday afternoon at Louisburg College. The award was made by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and presented to her by Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County swore in its new tax administrator this week.
John Preston was sworn in Monday and appointed as the tax administrator for Franklin County -- filling the vacancy of former Tax Administrator Marian Cascone, who resigned in July.
Dan Williams, who served in that capacity before Cascone, served the county on an interim basis until Preston was hired.

LOUISBURG -- Several major suggestions for the Louisburg Town Council to consider emerged from last Thursday's Louisburg EDC meeting, the second session for the newly formed group.
EDC members liked the idea from Chairman Will Hinton who suggested that "opening up" the land along the Tar River near the town's proposed new town hall building would turn the long-neglected river into an attractive landscape visible even from Bickett Boulevard.

READY TO RESPOND. This trio of young firefighters looked like they were ready to respond Sunday afternoon at the opening of the Louisburg Fire Department Museum. The three were seated on "Maude," the museum's fully restored 1921 American La France fire engine. From the left are Liam Gupton behind the wheel, Brookelyn Pendergrass (center) and Savana Pendergrass. They attended the official opening of the museum which volunteers plan to have open the afternoon of the third Sunday of every month from 2 to 5 p.m. -- and also for special tours that can be arranged in advance. Given the big smiles on these young people, Maude was the star attraction on Sunday. The museum is at 121 Davis Street in Louisburg.

Lena Robertson at Nov. 7 Hunger & Homeless vigil