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FRANKLINTON -- Innovation coupled with international finance could launch a major expansion effort by a Franklinton-based company which converts old tires into their basic components -- mostly fuel which becomes energy.
The leadership of PRTI, which is located in the 2000 block of U.S. 1 in Franklin County have agreed to sell a majority stake in the firm to Malta-based Energen Global.

LOUISBURG -- The emergency radio system was again a topic of conversation for the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Depending on who was at the podium, it's either just what the county asked for or it's going to get someone killed.
In August, former Bunn Rescue Squad member Scott Strickland told commissioners during the public comment portion of their meeting that the county's multi-million dollar emergency radio system was flawed.

LOUISBURG -- Last week, legislators said a nearly $300 million infusion of cash would help the State Department of Transportation maintain current projects, including improvements to U.S. 401 from the Wake County line to Royal [Section C].
Going forward, Speaker of the House Tim Moore and Rep. Lisa Barnes said they will remain committed to funding DOT -- with an eye on either keeping improvements to U.S. 401 from Royal up to Louisburg [Section D] on track or back to its original timetable.

LOUISBURG -- Animal advocates told commissioners that improvements have been made since last they spoke.
But, they will continue to speak for those who can't speak for themselves.
Last month, volunteers, representatives of animal rescue operations and others pleaded with county commissioners to make changes at the shelter to improve animal welfare and reduce euthanasia numbers.

LOUISBURG -- A Louisburg man is facing charges related to a weekend head-on collision.
Jimmy Stallings, 63, of Hickory Rock Road, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Trooper P.L. Clayton, Stallings was traveling south on U.S. 401 at about 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 30 when the driver of a Lexus heading north crossed the center line and crashed into his Chevy Lumina.

Louisburg High School senior Madi Leonard

Getting a call to go stand out in a muddy, vacant lot alongside U.S. 401 is not common, especially when it's a couple of days before Thanksgiving -- and when no one is willing to say why you need to be there.
But Carey Johnson and I are game for the unusual -- and neither of us would have missed this challenge for the world -- although we had our reservations.

The filing period for what is known as the 2020 Presidential Election began in earnest on Monday, with a relative flurry of folks filing for races, ranging from lieutenant governor to the Franklin County Register of Deeds -- and slots in between.
Already, there are three Republican candidates and 15 -- yes, 15 -- Democratic candidates vying to win their party's nomination this coming spring.

Dear editor: About the time you think "that this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard," there is someone that can top it. It seems that these people are coming out of the woodwork.

YOUNSGVILLE--Alice Faye Pearce Rice, 70, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 at Hillside Nursing Center. Graveside service will be held today, Thursday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church cemetery, with the Rev. Steve Davis officiating.

LOUISBURG--Funeral services for Deacon Anthony L. Alston, 86, who died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at Fork Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Warrenton, with Pastor Emory Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Fork Chapel Church cemetery.

LOUISBURG -- Numbers might not be a strength for the Louisburg Lady Warriors on the basketball court this winter, as Coach Chris Baker's club dressed only seven players for Tuesday's home contest against non-conference opponent Southeast Halifax.
But the players Louisburg does have on its roster are talented, including twin sisters Brooklyn and Ja'lynn Fields.

BUNN -- Like any good boys basketball coach, Nash Central's Renny Taylor knows how to strategize toward the strengths and weaknesses of his team during a given season.
Which brings us to the 2019-20 campaign as Nash Central doesn't have the star power of some other clubs in the always-competitive Eastern Plains Conference.

LOUISBURG -- It's not just the Elijah Jamison Show anymore at Louisburg High School.
Certainly, Jamison's excellence is still on display for the LHS boys basketball team as the junior standout is considered one of the top players in his class in the state.

FRANKLINTON -- Five Franklinton Red Rams have earned accolades on the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association's Class 3-A Region 3 Boys Soccer Team for the 2019 campaign.
FHS' honorees were Jay Bright, Lucas Martinez, Josiah Caronna, Galen Day and Sam Gupton.

BUNN -- There's something about the too-infrequent Nash Central-Bunn girls basketball rivalry that makes fans thirsty for a little more.
The schools used to play every year, but then took a few seasons off from that contract -- though they did meet in a memorable playoff game in 2018, with Nash Central earning a narrow road victory in a to-the-wire thriller.

BUNN -- Franklinton has controlled the proceedings over the past few years in its county girls basketball rivalry with Bunn -- thanks in part to the heroics of standout Miracle Cornell.
But with Cornell unavailable last Tuesday due to an injury, Bunn was able to showcase a phenom of its own -- ninth-grader Kaitlyn Adams.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats will once again team with East Carolina Athletics in 2020 to host ECU Night and a co-branded ECU and Mudcats souvenir hat giveaway on May 21 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.
To celebrate, the Mudcats have announced a special ECU Night ticket package featuring souvenir hats, tickets and more available just in time for the holidays.

Bunn High School's Paul Spivey (left) looks for an open teammate during Monday night's home boys basketball meeting with the Nash Central Bulldogs.

Franklinton's Katherine Wilkins scores in the paint for the Lady Rams during last Tuesday's road rivalry matchup against the Bunn Ladycats.

"Christmas with the Celts" is a holiday musical celebration starring international music group, "The Celts," and a cast of dancers. This show will take the stage at Louisburg College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
Launched as a live concert attraction after several successful seasons as a PBS-TV Special, this performance features classic songs such as Little Drummer Boy, Count Your Blessing and White Christmas.

A Moravian Love Feast will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Benson Chapel, Louisburg College. Everyone is welcome. This is a service of candlelight, Moravian buns and coffee.

LOUISBURG -- The filing period for the 2020 spring primary and fall presidential election opened on Monday and candidates showed up in the first couple of days to file for local elections.
Locally, four county commission seats, three school board seats, the county's two legislative seats and the Register of Deeds posts are all available.

The annual Coats for Christmas is in full swing as this load of warm coats proves. Volunteers (from the left) Reyna Romero, Wayne Champion and Jesse Nichols are doing their part to keep some children from having a chilly holiday season. The all-volunteer effort collects coats at Care 'n Share, 401 Dry Cleaners and Farm Bureau Insurance in Louisburg for distribution to those in need in Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies and Louisburg police are looking for suspects in two armed robberies they believe are related.
Just after midnight on Nov. 19, an employee at Ingleside Grocery in the 3500 block of N.C. 39 north of Louisburg reported that a suspect entered the store, brandished a weapon and stole an undisclosed amount of money.