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LOUISBURG -- A study of the county's emergency services system revealed that the county will need to invest more in its workers, facilities and vehicles to sustain operations.
And, it may have to shift its focus on who it hires to meet an ever-growing demand.
The county hired the Center for Public Safety Management [CPSM] to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its EMS system, focusing on how and where it deploys resources, and determining how best the system can move forward.

LOUISBURG -- Meeting before a nearly full house of spectators, the Louisburg Town Council stuck to its decision to change the pay schedule for town employees and doubled-down on questions about the embattled Depot Hill project, demanding that work there remain stopped until some questions can be answered to their satisfaction.

A brisk Saturday morning saw a long line of folks gathering up free trees as part of an annual give-away. Here, Gwenna Hilton, 9, who was volunteering at the event, urges here mother, Cassie Hilton, to take trees and plant them. In the background, one of Gwenna's friends, Kyleigh Bobbitt, 9, is also giving her best "sales pitch" to those seeking trees.

LOUISBURG -- A new alliance of two veteran Louisburg Town Council members, a newly elected council member and one who was just appointed, has raised some interesting situations in the last few weeks.
The two veterans, Tom Clancy and Mark Russell apparently have forged an alliance with newly elected Silke Stein and newly appointed Bobby Dickerson first to put pressure on Town Administrator Jonathan Franklin, then change the pay schedule of town employees and shut down, at least temporarily, the Depot Hill project.

Retired Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood received the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award last Friday afternoon in the Franklin County courtroom he presided over for more than 38 years. Presenting him the award on behalf of the North Carolina State Bar was local attorney Charles Davis, himself a recipient of the award in 2017. Judge Allen Cobb said Hobgood has a "sterling judicial reputation" and was known for putting service above self. "Bob always stepped up if called upon," Cobb told a courtroom filled with lawyers and judges from around the region who came to witness the presentation.

Last week, I shared the primary goal of the Franklin County Schools Strategic Plan- Blueprint 2025: Preparing students for career, college, and life beyond the classroom. We highlighted the work taking place to connect students with relevant opportunities to explore their interests.
It is also critical that we provide our students with a solid academic foundation on which to build future success.

FHS coaching legend Donnie Ray

For a time last week, I was beginning to wonder if I had stumbled into a parallel universe because things just didn't add up.
Actually that hasn't cleared up yet -- so perhaps you can help make sense of the events.
As everyone who cares knows by now, the Louisburg Town Council put enough pressure on its town administrator, Jonathan Franklin, to force him out.

Parks and recreation is a funny thing and it means different things to different people.
If you live in the midst of a bustling and chaotic metropolis, a patch of grass and a bench might be all the open space and recreation you need.
If you live in northern Franklin County, you've probably got all the open space you can handle.

Dear editor:
I would like to publicly thank Jonathan Franklin, our departing Louisburg town administrator.
Your cheerful service and dedication to details has been greatly appreciated!

STANHOPE -- For a few minutes last Friday, the Bunn Ladycats played their spoiler defensive role -- one they have come close to mastering this season -- to near-perfection during their Big East Conference girls soccer showdown against league powerhouse Southern Nash.
Really, the Ladycats didn't have much of a choice as Southern Nash is loaded with firepower and the ability to maintain the majority of possessions.

STANHOPE -- Two teams with divergent building paths this spring met last Friday in a key Big East Conference baseball game.
And the Southern Nash Firebirds, who appear ready to contend for one of the prime spots in the always-competitive Big East, were able to secure a 9-2 home decision over the rebuilding Louisburg Warriors at the SNHS Baseball Field.

RED OAK -- Franklinton was on the verge of pulling off a huge road baseball victory Tuesday -- but the homestanding Northern Nash Fighting Knights had other ideas.
The upstart Red Rams, who are hoping to make waves this spring in the competitive Big East Conference -- were just six outs away from toppling the Knights, who are considered to be one of the teams to beat in the tough league.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg College softball team competed in a double header at home this past Saturday and defeated Surry Community College in both Region X contests at the Sheilah R. Cotten Field.
In game one, Louisburg won 10-3. Southern Nash alum Carrigan Ewers was the starting pitcher and went 4 innings, striking out 6.

BUNN -- Bunn High School has a new football coach -- and he was in town Monday as part of a 'Meet The Coach Night' at the BHS Football Field.
And that coach would be Dennis Burton, who arrives at Bunn after three years as the defensive coordinator at Pittsboro Northwood High School.
Last season, Burton was named as Northwood's interim head coach near the end of the year and was in charge when the Chargers nearly pulled off what would have been a monumental upset over Northern Nash in the opening round of the Class 3-A State Football Playoffs.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats will black out the field with new alternate black game jerseys, and light up the night sky with post-game fireworks every Friday night at Five County Stadium this season.
The new "blackout" game jerseys are black in color with red numbers, "Carolina" scripted in red across the chest, and the Mudcats logo on the left sleeve.

FRAKNLINTON -- A barbecue chicken plate fundraiser for former Franklinton High School assistant basketball coach Antonio Lawrence will be held April 8 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost per plate is $15, which includes one-half chicken, green beans, boiled potatoes, roll and dessert.

(L to R) Southern Nash's McKenzie Kennedy and Bunn's Alana Mangum converge on the ball during last Friday afternoon's soccer match.

Veteran southpaw Landon Heller was effective on the hill as the starting pitcher for the Franklinton HS Red Rams during Tuesday's road baseball showdown against Northern Nash.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town management presented commissioners with an initial look at a spending plan including pay raises for town employees, a new roof at town hall, a plan for replacing police vehicles and, looking ahead, plans to celebrate the town's 150th birthday in 2025.
First, during the March 11 budget session, Town Administrator Nathan Page presented the board with recommended future expenses, such as setting aside $75,000 for a new roof at town hall and $200,000 for a cost of living increase for employees, catching up for not having such a pay increase in the current budget.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners approved two developments that will bring about 100 new homes to town.
During the March 15 meeting, first, the board agreed to rezone 103 E. Mason Street from Downtown Residential to Planned Development -- which will allow for 34 town homes on the lot.

BUNN -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies continue to investigate a fight that sent a 15-year-old girl to the hospital.
According to a report by school resource officer Lt. K. Horton, two 15-year-old girls engaged in a fight in front of the school near the carpool/bus area at about 12:25 p.m. on Thursday, during early release.

LOUISBURG -- Police are looking for suspects in a series of property damage cases.
On March 18, proprietors of A to Z Bail Bonds in the 200 block of S. Main Street reported vandalism.
Police noted that a window at the business was broken.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town officials committed to working to ease commercial/residential tensions, chose a new auditor and opted to hold off on bringing a residential street under town maintenance.
Those items were hashed out during the board's March 10 meeting.

Franklin Granville Vance (FGV) Smart Start Program recognized several area child-care providers during a special luncheon held recently at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford.
Dr. Tony Cozart, executive director of FGV Smart Start led the program and introduced special guest, Mrs. Amy Cubbage, who serves as president of NC Partnership for Children (NCPC), which consists of 75 partnerships serving the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Area child care providers who were given awards for their years of quality child care services were (from the left) Karen Perry, Taylor Tubbies Academy; Marie Smithwick, Marie's Child Care Home; Angela Himmel, Vance Granville Community College Day Care Center; Valerie Williams, Teach A Tot Child Care Center; : LaTonya Hall, Sugar N Spice Preschool; Minnie Johnson, Tender Touch Day Care; LaWanda Durham, Kiddie Klubhouse; Alissa Wiggins, Little Angels Child Care; Valerie Weston, ABC Adventure Preschool and Child Care, and Renee Muldrow, Dream World Academy.