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WAXHAW -- Franklin County finalized an agreement with an Internet provider expected to bring better broadband service to underserved and unserved customers.
Now, it's time for those interested in better service to put their modems where their mouth is.
"... The more people [who] sign up on a street or neighborhood, the more interest we see ... the more we will try to prioritize that area in the schedule," said Open Broadband CEO Alan Fitzpatrick.

Workers are taking advantage of the sunny, dry summertime weather to shape this East River Road tract in Louisburg for a new school. In the photo above, the base of the new Crosscreek Charter School can be determined behind the large earth mover. In the photo below, several pieces of equipment work in unison to refine the site and create an access road where parents will soon be dropping off students.

CASTALIA -- Members of the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Committee were all about spreading the word -- whether it's through a signature event, the Internet or through agriculture.

FRANKLINTON -- In basketball parlance, Pastor Donathan Muldrow threw up an easy lob.
Next weekend, the Bibby brothers will come through to slam it home in Franklinton.
The brothers, led by former three-time NCAA champion and NBA champion Henry Bibby, are bringing their First Bibby Brothers Basketball Camp on Aug. 10.

BUNN -- Troop leaders try to teach Girl Scouts how to feed their hunger -- a hunger for a better community.
Girl Scouts who took part in a recent summer camp figured out a way to do that, literally and figuratively.
About 100 girls took part in the Friendship of Science summer camp earlier this month, pairing one of their community service projects with a need in Bunn.

Post 105 pitcher/juggler John Hobgood

There are a couple of interesting developments taking shape in southwestern Franklin County -- although not exactly how they were expected to happen.
One of the developments with perhaps the largest potential for good here, especially for kids, has been talks between Youngsville and the North Wake County Baseball Association that has been operating successfully for the last 40 years.

Everyone's back-in-my-day stories are incredibly dependent upon how far back that day goes.
But, I must admit: I'm sort of at an in-between.
Back in my day, we knew everyone who lived in our neighborhood.

Dear editor: In reference to last week's letter to the editor from Carolyn Hudson, I have a few questions.
First, who is the Democratic Representative who wants to get rid of airplanes and cars? News to me since I have not seen that.
Who is the lady that wants to get rid of Christianity? Haven't seen that.

LOUISBURG--Emily Fifield Perry Bartholomew, 79, of Louisburg, died peacefully Sunday evening at her home.

LOUISBURG--Funeral services for Ida Davis Pace, 72, who died Friday, July 26, 2019, will be held today, Thursday, Aug. 1, at 1 p.m. at Perry's Missionary Baptist Church, Louisburg, with Pastor Randolph Alston officiating. Burial will follow in the Perry's Church cemetery.

HOLLISTER--Funeral services for Jershawn "Bam Bam" Richardson, 21, who died Saturday, July 27, 2019, will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church in Hollister. Burial will follow in the Rudd family cemetery.

FRANKLINTON--Margaret Louvenia Gibbs Mitchell, 91, of Franklinton departed this earthly life on Sunday, July 28, 2019. She was born on June 17, 1928 to the late Rufus H. and Becky Pearce Gibbs. In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Milton Mitchell.

LOUISBURG--Mary Louise Jones, 88, died at her residence on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 27, at 1 p.m. at Shady Grove Baptist Church, Louisburg, with the Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

LOUISBURG--Mary Ruth Jenkins Lopp, 90, of both Louisburg and Carolina Beach, died on Monday, July 22, 2019 at Carolina Beach. Visitation will be held at Strickland Funeral Home, 103 W. Franklin Street in Louisburg on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 3 - 4:30 pm. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband Fred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.

LOUISBURG--Funeral services for Otis Junior "Booney" Arrington, 44, who died Friday July 26, 2019, will be held Friday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Louisburg, with Dr. Felicia Hardy officiating. Burial will follow in the M. H. Jones Cemetery.

CLAYTON - Pitching depth is one of the most important intangibles necessary for a deep run at a baseball tournament that features several potential games in a short time frame.
But Louisburg All-Stars entered last week's Tar Heel 13-15 State Tournament already shorthanded due to an injury suffered by all-around standout Trey Kinsey during previous district action.

SMITHFIELD -- Louisburg was sturdy on defense and opportunistic at the plate, but walks eventually haunted the All-Stars during last Thursday's first-round action versus Erwin at the Tar Heel 13-15 State Baseball Tournament at the Smithfield Athletic Complex in Johnston County.
The All-Stars also showed some heart by battling back from an early deficit, but Louisburg hurlers allowed nine walks, including three in the decisive bottom of the sixth inning.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Jaquwon Brake made the most of his senior year at Bunn High School by earning Northern Carolina Conference Track and Field honors.
Brake was saluted as the NCC's Boys Field Athlete of the Year after winning the Long Jump at the league's annual championships.
Brake helped the Wildcats to a second-place overall team finish in the conference behind champion Granville Central.

LOUISBURG -- The Town of Louisburg Recreation Department is offering fall sports leagues in baseball, softball and soccer.
Ages for the leagues are as follows:

FAYETTEVILLE -- Zach Clark and Eddie Silva both had run scoring hits in the second and eighth innings, but the Carolina Mudcats were done in by a five-run Fayetteville fifth while losing their season-high sixth straight game 7-2 to the homestanding Woodpeckers on Sunday night at Segra Stadium in a Class A Carolina League baseball matchup.

GREENSBORO -- The North Carolina Coaches Association has announced its coaching selections for next year's East-West All-Stars Games, along with the Carolinas Classic Basketball doubleheader.
The East-West games will be played next July in Greensboro in football, soccer and basketball.

Louisburg All-Star hurler Trey Murray delivers a pitch toward home plate as a North Johnston baserunner attempts to steal second during last Friday afternoon's second-round action at the Tar Heel 13-15 State Baseball Tournament at the East Clayton Park Field in Johnston County.

Louisburg All-Star Shane Musselman tries to escape a pair of Erwin defensive players during last Thursday night's first-round contest at the Tar Heel 13-15 State Baseball Tournament at the Smithfield Athletic Park.

Louisburg All-Star Cade Newman takes a low pitch during last Friday's second-round showdown with North Johnston at the Tar Heel 13-15 State Baseball Tournament in Clayton.

Louisburg All-Star coach Troy Musselman (with towel) addresses his players before last Friday's tournament meeting with Johnston County at East Clayton Park.

(L to R) Louisburg All-Star assistant coach Ray Merritt and player Joshua Nicholson talk things over at third base during a break at last Thursday night's opening round of the Tar Heel 13-15 State Baseball Tournament at Smithfield Athletic Park in Johnston County.

LOUISBURG -- Tickets are on sale for Louisburg College's 62nd Allen de Hart Concert Series, which will feature a wide variety of performances ranging from timeless R & B tunes and classic rock hits to a bluegrass superstar and a political comedy show.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the season opens with Jason Crabb, who will bring his powerhouse vocals and magnetic personality that have endeared him to millions across the world.

LOUISBURG -- A superior court judge has ruled that a local cattle producer is liable for defrauding a midwestern cattle finisher out of millions of dollars.
The exact amount of damages for which Dennis Boone and Raymond Boone are responsible will be determined at a later date.
Superior Court Judge Josephine K. Davis's order brings a more than two-year-old lawsuit closer to an end.

Franklin County sheriff's deputies and Youngsville police are looking for suspects in a rash of car break-ins reported in town and just outside city limits.
In each case, authorities said, the vehicles were unlocked.
During the late night/early morning hours of July 23-25, residents in Youngsville-area neighborhoods reported to the sheriff's office that people entered their vehicles and removed items.