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LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Elections selected new early voting dates and two new places to cast a ballot, trying to hit a moving target that is primary election day.
Challenges to newly drawn election districts pushed this year's primary from March 8 to May 17.

LOUISBURG -- Judges with the State Court of Appeals have vacated a decision that permanently removed Patricia Chastain from office.
The Feb. 1 ruling, though, allows the local court to review the matter in a way that could either reinstate her, sustain her removal from office for the remainder of her term or remove her permanently, preventing her from again seeking any office.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners will hear how they can aid a multi-national company's move to Youngsville.
Economic development staff plan to present commissioners and the public with a proposed incentive package for the company.
Earlier this month, Gov. Roy Cooper's office announced that Innosonian America, LLC, a medical equipment supplier, was relocating to Youngsville and bringing with it 34 new jobs.

LOUISBURG -- This year's Innovative Young Farmer of the Year is a Franklin Countian with a name that mirrors his occupation -- Jason Farmer.
Jason began his career in the sod production industry upon graduating from North Carolina State University in 2009 with a degree in Turfgrass Science.
After marrying his wife, Natalie in 2012, Jason returned with her to a full-time farming operation in 2013 at Wester Farms.

Franklin County Register of Deeds Brandi Brinson, left, swears in Marian Cascone as the county's new Tax Administrator. Cascone joined the county as its deputy tax assessor in 2020. She takes over for Dan Williams, who is retiring on Friday. (Contributed photo)

LOUISBURG -- The owner of a small Louisburg house who missed repeated deadlines to upgrade the property lost it to condemnation last Thursday night -- although he had vowed to go to court to stop he demolition of the structure.
That did not happen and the house was destroyed the afternoon of Jan. 28.

Apparently mirroring the downturn in COVID cases from the Omicron variant that is being reported nationally, Franklin County Schools showed marked improvement over the previous week as judged by the number of reported cases.
Although all but one school reported students out with COVID, there apparently were 54 fewer cases last week than the week before -- an improvement of about 34 percent.

Will Burton, his sons Zach Brame and Riley Burton, far right, dog Stark and John Seibel

It's been breathtaking!
The pace has been so fast, I may have to start digging out recipes for crow because what we've been seeing here in Franklin County is so far from what I expected that "eating crow" is my punishment for apparently being so wrong about what conservative actually means.
Here's a quick look at what's got my head spinning:

Okay, I'm going to dip my toes into something controversial: vaccination status.
I have been vaccinated. Full disclosure, I am overdue for my booster, but I will get that soon.
Of course, I came across a story earlier this week that sort of makes a mockery of disclosure.

Dear Editor: Someone should respond to letters to editor writer Warren Harris's misinformed fear of the "unconstitutional" "federal takeover of elections," since it is a popular meme bandied about by conservative media outlets, eagerly consumed by gullible viewers.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Alex Davis "Peely" Edwards, 74, of Louisburg, died early Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022 at his home.

CASTALIA, NC--Danny Morris Murphy, 72 of the White Level community passed in peace at his home on Murphy Hill January 27, 2022. Son of Willie Lousie and Mary Lou Murphy. Preceded in death by his parents, Sister Barbara Alley and Brother Larry Murphy. Survived by his daughter Jessica Murphy, his nieces Tonya Clayton, Sonya Alley, Veegie Murphy and Nephew Cameron Murphy, His trusted sidekick Scoot.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Martin Lewis Gourley, 62, of Franklinton died January 28, 2022 . He was born on November 3, 1959 to the late J.C. and Dorothy Hall Gourley. In addition to his parents, Marty was predeceased by brothers, William Douglas Gourley and Michael Jay Gourley; and a sister, Sandra Minor.

LOUISBURG, NC - Michael Dan Fuller, 62, of Louisburg, died Monday evening, January 31, 2022.

BUNN -- Bunn put together one of its finest all-around performances of the season Tuesday -- and that wasn't good news for upset-minded Southern Nash.
The Ladycats, needing a victory to stay tied for third place in the Big East in the loss column, pulled away with a strong second quarter and never looked back en route to defeating Southern Nash by a 61-41 margin in a league girls basketball matchup at the Bunn Dome.

FRANKLINTON -- After a layoff of almost three weeks, the Franklinton Red Rams returned to the court last week -- looking to make one final push in the always-competitive Big East Conference boys basketball standings.
The Red Rams, despite their long-term absence, didn't show many signs of rust as Franklinton secured two victories in three tries, with the lone loss coming against league powerhouse Rocky Mount.

FRANKLINTON -- With Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids seemingly entrenched in the top two sports in the Big East Conference girls basketball standings, the race is on for third place -- and Franklinton and Bunn are both in the mix.
That's why last Friday's meeting between FHS and Bunn was so important as the No. 3 place in the league was at stake to the winner.

STANHOPE -- Even though team scores aren't kept in an official capacity, rest assured that they were a focus last Wednesday for the Bunn Wildcats at the Big East Conference Wrestling Championships at the Southern Nash High School Gymnasium.
Bunn, coached by Parker Haake, had already ripped through the team portion of the Big East's regular season schedule.

BUNN -- Few strategies are available to teams looking to upset the high-powered Southern Nash Firebirds during the 2021-22 boys basketball season.
Falling hopelessly behind early isn't one of them.
But time and time again, that has been the fate of Southern's foes this winter as the Firebirds inevitably use their tenacious full-court pressure defense to take command of a game early -- and never relent.

RED OAK -- "Championship game."
That's how Northern Nash boys basketball coach Henry Drake said he wanted to treat every game going forward.
If the Knights want to earn the Big East Conference Regular Season Championship, Drake's club will likely have to win out from this point forward.

(L to R) Bunn's Alana Sanders and Alexis Perry contest a shot attempt during Tuesday night's home conquest against Southern Nash.

Hotel California, the Original Eagles Tribute Band, will rock the Gardner stage on Friday, Feb. 11.
For almost three decades this group has been recreating the legendary sound of the Eagles.
What makes this tribute band special is their incredible lead vocal similarity, intensely accurate instrumental work, soaring harmonies, and top flight live performances. One of the most game-changing song catalogs in the history of rock n' roll will be performed.

The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has named Dr. Levy Brown to the position of senior vice president/chief academic officer.
He fills the position vacated by Dr. Kimberly Gold, who was promoted to the position of chief of staff with NCCCS.
Brown's prior work includes several leadership roles with Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC), including vice president of Learning, Student Engagement and Success; vice president of Academic Affairs, and vice resident of Student Services.

KITTRELL -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are looking for suspects in a drive-by shooting incident.
No injuries were reported in the Jan. 30 incident.
According to authorities, two Maryland residents, who visited family in Raleigh, reported that they were traveling north on U.S. 1, near the Vance County line around 10 p.m. when a dark colored vehicle pulled beside them and opened fire.

LOUISBURG -- A Knightdale man was charged with driving under the influence after a head-on collision that required that both drivers be airlifted.
According to a report by Trooper P.L. Clayton, Austin Matthew Long was traveling south on N.C. 39 when he crossed the center line near Dyking Road at about 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 28.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's Emergency Services Director Hendrix Valenzuela resigned abruptly, this week.
County Manager Kim Denton said mechanisms are in place to navigate the department until a permanent replacement is named.
"Moving forward, we already have a reporting structure [in place]," Denton said, noting that Emergency Medical Director Jim Gusler will fill Valenzuela's post on an interim basis.

SPRING HOPE -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are investigating a shooting that appears to be self defense.
According to authorities, a group of friends were hanging out together in a home in the 400 block of Mulberry Road on Jan. 28 when the following day, at about noon, Marcus Bailey left, but was called back by James Brown regarding a money dispute.