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LOUISBURG -- Engineers rebid a new 911 center, hoping scaled back plans and a different construction environment would help them meet their budget.
The gamble failed.
On Monday night, designers presented county commissioners with bid results that were slightly higher than the ones they rejected in August.

LOUISBURG -- County commissioners said a proposed radio system upgrade gives them the best of both worlds -- ownership of a system and the ability to tap into statewide operations.
Because of that, the board agreed Monday night to move forward with a nearly $22 million contract with Florida-based Williams Communications to build them an 700/800 MHz digital simulcast trunked radio network.

IT'S 2022! There are many ways to welcome a new year and the folks in Centerville, which hosts the county's only New Year's Day Parade, always showcase a great deal of options. This year was no exception, especially given the beautiful, warm weather that brought out a lot of parade participants and area folks who just wanted to watch and celebrate a new year. Youngsville's Otha Hill, rode on a small tractor that was all decked out with flags and other holiday decorations. Hill also has some very special holiday attire, including a distinctive hat, that he showcases on events like the Centerville parade.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County staff will be keeping an eye on the supreme court later this week to determine if or how it will abide by a vaccination mandate.
In November, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] issued its COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard program, stating that employers with more than 100 workers are required to develop, implement and enforce a program for their staff to be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners approved a reworked development agreement last month that paves the way for an 85-acre, 362-unit residential development along one of the town's busiest corridors.
The new agreement addresses pedestrian traffic concerns, but the development's impact on vehicle traffic remains unchanged from a November attempt at approval.

JC Wright and Greyson Lee wait for Santa Claus

Wow. As this was being written we were just three days into a new year and already it's been eventful.
Unfortunately, it's likely to become even more eventful in coming days, and not in a good way!
On New Year's Day, Donna and I slipped out to Centerville for their annual New Year's Day Parade -- and were pleasantly surprised at the large turnout, not only of folks participating in the parade but also those lined up along the highway to watch it.

There are not too many hills I'll die on, but here's one: Winter generally stinks and the folks who "claim" to love it are primarily the folks who enjoy it from the comfort of a warm living room -- they don't have to get out in the elements.
That's not what this column is about, though.

HENDERSON, NC--Garran Zachary Howard, 20, died December 24, 2021.

ZEBULON, NC-- Sharon Loraine Trusty Jobe, 77, died December 29, 2021.

HENDERSON, NC-- Mr. William T. Allen (Bootie), 80, passed away January 4, 2022. Bootie was born June 9, 1941, in Franklinton, NC to the late Tom and Hazel McGhee Allen. His final days were spent surrounded by the family and friends he loved so much.

BUNN -- For Louisburg High School boys basketball coach Michael Sheldon, it's all about trying to put together the pieces of a potentially talented puzzle this season.
Certainly, Louisburg has a strong nucleus to go with a solid roster. But what Sheldon is looking for is consistency and continuity. If those two intangibles come to fruition, Louisburg should make a run at the automatic Class 2-A State Playoff berth in the strong Big East Conference.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton hopes its ultra-challenging non-league schedule will pay dividends as the Red Rams continue to work their way through the rigors of the competitive Big East Conference boys basketball standings.
FHS head coach Darrin Stinson certainly hasn't shied away from tough foes early in the 2021-22 campaign -- as evidenced by Franklinton's work last week at the annual South Granville Christmas Tournament in Creedmoor.

BUNN -- It was a Wake Forest kind of day last Wednesday in the championship round of the Bunn Christmas Basketball Tournament at the Bunn Dome.
The Cougars claimed a clean sweep of the annual event, beginning with the WF girls earning the title with a 53-29 victory over the homestanding Bunn Ladycats.
The contest was tight through the first quarter, which ended with the Ladycats ahead 12-10. But WF outscored the hosts 28-5 in the middle periods on its way to picking up the girls championship.

BUNN -- Final team results and the All-Tournament Teams lists from the annual Bunn High School Christmas Basketball Tournament were as follows:

Kayla Abbott attended the Nursing Pinning Ceremony at Liberty University School of Nursing on Dec. 14, 2021. She graduated with her BSN Degree a semester early with a place on the Dean's List. She has accepted a position with WakeMed Health & Hospitals' Pediatric Unit, where she is excited to begin her career. She is preparing to take the NCLEX next month and is scheduled to start with WakeMed in February.

READY TO FARM? Young Bryant Nelms doesn't seem the least bit intimidated by a large tractor as he negotiated the New Year's Day parade in Centerville. The parade is an annual event and is the only New Year's Parade in the county.

RIDIN' IN STYLE. There's nothing like a 1960s vintage Chevrolet Impala to provide a great ride in any parade. In the photo to the right, Rex Foster waves to the crowd watching Centerville's parade on Jan. 1

NOT GOOD FOR SNOWMEN! "Floating" through Centerville on a balmy New Year's Day was especially difficult for a snowman who, some said, looked a lot like Carson Leonard. Wearing a big smile while keeping a watchful eye on her brother is Chaney Rae Leonard.

LOUISBURG -- Investigators were still trying to put together the pieces of an incident that involved a wreck and ended with a gunshot victim at a Virginia hospital.
No arrests had been made by press time.
According to authorities, deputies responded to reports of a vehicle wreck at Sid Champions Grocery in the White Level Community at 6 a.m. on Dec. 30.