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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners will get their first chance to dig into the guts of a 2020-21 spending plan that doesn't raise the property tax rate, provides a bit of a pay boost for employees, raises solid waste fees and fully funds the school system's request.
The board is slated to have a work session on the matter today (May 21), three days after County Manager Angela Harris presented the $88.89 million spending plan to commissioners and the public. [Department heads had made $93 million in requests.]

LOUISBURG -- A technology company said some pockets of Franklin County and some residents could be in line for Internet service by the end of June or start of July.
However, Alan Fitzpatrick, the CEO of Open Broadband LLC, advised eager customers to be patient as the Charlotte-based company navigates a four-year rollout plan.

WOOD -- At the end of an old stagecoach road, on a property at the edge of Franklin County, members of the Northeast Franklin County Revitalization Committee had a clear vision of what could be.
"It's a golden opportunity out here," said group member and videographer, Willie Durham.
He meant that, both literally and figuratively.

LOUISBURG -- As the state prepared to ease restrictions on movement and gatherings prompted by COVID-19, Franklin County experienced two of its highest single-day reports of confirmed coronavirus cases.
At the same time, the county has not experienced any new deaths in at least a week, resources are on the way to help tracing, and outbreaks at two nursing centers appear to be under control, said Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne.

FRANKLINTON -- Town management told commissioners to prepare themselves for some growth, some growing pains and a bit of uncertainty.
Because of the social distance requirements of COVID-19, the Franklinton Board of Commissioners had not met as a group since February.
Since that time, Town Manager Gregory Bethea has met with commissioners, generally two at a time, to keep them apprised of town activity.

LOUISBURG -- Three significant changes to Louisburg regulations were given public hearings during a virtual meeting Monday evening but, although none received any verbal opposition, no votes were taken on any of the three.
A new state regulation, passed by the General Assembly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires that there be a 24-hour waiting period after a virtual public hearing to give anyone a chance to comment on the regulations in writing even though they could have commented during the virtual meeting.

Aria Skye Rosales, Sherry Bell's grandchild

Had a thought recently -- and yes, that's unusual considering we're all cooped up trying to stay safe during this difficult time.
Actually, the thought was "implanted" (stolen?) during an interview of an emergency room physician who has been on the front line of the struggle to save people from the ravages of this virus.

I'm never going to be someone who tells you that government meetings are must-see, primetime viewing, but the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' April meeting produced 253 views, its May 5 meeting generated 107 views and, at press time, its May 18 meeting had generated 116 views.
Of course, I have no idea which viewers watched every second: the first meeting lasted just over 2 hours, the second lasted nearly two and a half hours and Monday night's meeting has set the record -- so far -- at four hours, 23 minutes and 10 seconds.

BUNN -- Barton College boasts a strong nursing program, an up-and-coming track and field team and a location in Wilson -- not too far from Franklin County.
All of those intangibles played a key role in luring Bunn High School senior multi-sport standout Maecie Corbett to the BC campus.
Corbett, who excelled in tennis and track and field at BHS, recently signed a letter-of-intent to join the track and field program at Barton, which competes in the Division II Conference Carolinas League.

FRANKLINTON -- Rebekah Smith was never able to defend her Girls High Jump title at the annual Class 3-A State Track and Field Championships.
But Smith's jumping career is far from over as she has signed a letter-of-intent to join the Division I track and field program at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

LOUISBURG -- Mike Holloman won over 500 games and a national championship during his illustrious tenure as a women's basketball coach at Louisburg College.
But he's never encountered an opponent as powerful and world-shattering as COVID-19.
Now LC's Athletic Director, Holloman hopes to guide the Hurricanes back to near-normalcy in August when classes -- and sporting events -- are planned to resume.

BUNN -- Camron Durham made the most of his shortened track and field season this spring at Bunn High School.
Durham and his Wildcats' teammates only got to participate in three meets, but Durham set several personal bests during that abbreviated stretch.
Durham also made his collegiate decision as he has opted to continue his track and field career at William Peace University, which is located in Downtown Raleigh.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg College women's basketball team has announced the signing of Ra'shya Speight of Farmville Central High School in Pitt County.
The 5-6 guard led her team to back to back 2A state championship games her final two seasons in high school. Her senior season, the Jaguars finished with a record of 25-3 and 10-0 in the Eastern Plains 2A conference.

The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) has announced the selection of Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, superintendent of Franklin County Schools, as the recipient of the Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award.
The award is presented in honor and recognition of a superintendent who has demonstrated a strong commitment to life-long learning, unwavering integrity in leadership and transformation of vision into action.

LOUISBURG -- The town of Louisburg literally raked in the grants during its meeting Monday night, ending the evening with an additional $2.7 million in available funds.
The largest grant was quickly accepted, a $2.4 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce that will be used to create an industrial park along T. Kemp Road.

CENTERVILLE -- A Louisburg woman died Friday night following a single-vehicle wreck.
According to a report by trooper J.M. Leonard, Jelisa Shantel Smith was driving east on Vaiden Road just before 7:30 p.m. on May 15 when she ran off the road to the left as she rounded a curve.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAYS! Margie and Danny Brantley had a triple celebration with a surprise parade of vehicles on May 3 at their home. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 6, as well as each of their 69th birthdays. The couple share the same birthday, May 6, 1951 and were married on their 19th birthdays, May 6, 1970.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- On May 4, 2020, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a number of proclamations honoring emergency services, telecommunicators, older Americans, even a proclamation recognizing the vital role of tap water, the infrastructure required to carry it and the work of water professionals "behind the scenes."

The Justice Rural Fire Department has been awarded a $25,903 grant to help it buy equipment, according to Fire Chief Kelly Harris.
Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey made the announcement last week, saying that the money will come through the 2020 Volunteer Fire Department Fund from the state of North Carolina.

FRANKLINTON -- Authorities arrested a Henderson man who led police on a two-county chase.
Jeremy Rollins, 33, was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger and driving while license revoked.
According to a report, officer T.S. Bowden spotted an unoccupied vehicle parked in the fire lane at Food Lion with an expired 30-day tag at about 7:30 a.m. on May 16.

FRANKLINTON -- Police arrested a Sanford man they allege was transporting more than 150 grams of marijuana.
Zackery W. Hamilton, 20, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

FRANKLINTON -- A wreck investigation led authorities to arrest a Durham man on drug charges.
Hunter M. Hall, 22, was charged with felony possession of Schedule IV controlled substance, maintaining vehicle for the sale of controlled substance, felony possession of controlled substance on jail premises, driving while impaired, and other driving offenses