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Early voting begins today, Thursday, allowing voters to choose school board members or determine who will carry their party's banner into the fall election.
• Sheriff Kent Winstead is not seeking re-election, leaving Democrats Jerry Jones, Darryl Wright and Troy Wheless to seek their party's nomination.
Larry McKeithan, Kevin White and Bruce Baker are seeking the Republican party nomination.

CASTALIA -- The Northeast Franklin Revitalization Committee is preparing to put its money where its mouth is.
The group, dedicated to bolstering business and recreational opportunities for northeast Franklin County residents, has partnered with Vance Granville Community College's Small Business Center to put 12 people through the college's entrepreneur course.

FRANKLINTON -- A nearly $12 million overhaul of its wastewater treatment plant warranted Franklin County a stop on a nationwide tour of rural America's infrastructure.
Standing at a podium, as crews in the background used millions of dollars in Environmental Protection Agency and State Department of Environmental Quality funds to bolster the plant, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser reviewed the prior commitments the government has made to infrastructure.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Police unveiled a new program they hope will bolster their ties to the community.
Town officer Regina Andranowska told commissioners and the public about one their newer community programs -- the Adult Reassurance Program.
It assigns officers to older, homebound residents, allowing them to check on those folks at least twice a month, and gives those residents a friendly, familiar interaction with officers.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The ca-ching of a cash register could figuratively be heard at the last town board meeting.
First, commissioners agreed to accept a $48,000 payment from the ABC Board during the April 14 meeting.
They then authorized the ABC Board to create a Capital Improvement Fund not to exceed $600,000 -- money the ABC Board would use to build a new ABC store.

Franklin County is growing. We can anecdotally recognize this by observing housing developments cropping up around the county, hearing stories of houses selling the day that they go on the market, etc.
Data provided by the Franklin County Economic Development Commission bears this out as well, with a projected annual growth rate of up to 2.5%.

Livia Newquist racing to grab Easter Eggs

Okay, Franklinton drained the pool -- but just maybe all is not lost.
Over the last couple of weeks, an idea surfaced in Franklinton about building a swimming pool on the grounds of Franklinton Middle School (the former high school downtown).
That seemed like an unusual location to me but trying to be open minded, we watched as the situation unfolded and more details became available.

I'm old enough to remember that finding your friends and fun didn't require a hashtag.
By the way, I'm also old enough to know that this, #, meant "pound" waaaaay before it even meant hashtag.
I'm also old enough to remember my first foray into social media began with Myspace, as "Myspace Tom" was everyone's first friend and the crazy world of online media seemed just a bit more quaint and, quite frankly, innocent and fun.

Dear editor:
My dogs have been my best friends all of my life. I regard their lives as precious and necessary for our lives on Planet Earth.
Therefore, the death of K-9 Major was especially heart-breaking because it was totally unnecessary and a super loss to our county monetarily and duty-wise to service the humans he was trained to do.

LOUISBURG, NC--Rachel Ann Foster Denton, 90, of Louisburg, NC passed away on April 21, 2022. She was born in Franklin County on February 20, 1932, to the late John Luther and Mattie Snow Murphy Foster. In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Major Thomas Denton; three sisters; and seven brothers.

WENDELL, NC-- Timothy John Brennan, 51, of Wendell, NC died April 22, 2022. He was born in East Jordan, Michigan on October 2, 1970, to the late Michael and Mary Martinek Brennan.

BUNN -- A miracle happens every spring at Bunn High School -- one that warms the hearts and souls of all involved.
That's when Bunn hosts its annual Miracle League of Franklin County Day at the BHS Baseball Field as area special-needs youngsters join their Wildcats' 'Buddies' for some fun and fellowship.

LOUISBURG -- It would be somewhat of an understatement to proclaim that Coach Eric Lee has built the Louisburg College softball program into one of the nation's finest. Somehow, that just doesn't seem to be enough of a proclamation to truly assess the amazement that Lee has produced during his short-but-prosperous tenure for the Lady Hurricanes.

LOUISBURG -- Kids running everywhere -- and parents chasing after them -- marked the return of the spring sports season last Saturday for the Town of Louisburg Recreation Department at Joyner Park.
Louisburg is experiencing an uptick in participation this season as the program has more than 300 kids involved in baseball and softball for ages 3-15.

BUNN -- Proof of Bunn's recent boys tennis resurgence -- and the possibility of more success in the near future -- comes in two facets as the Wildcats prepare to close out their campaign under first-year head coach Dale Murphy.
The Wildcats will have a whopping three participants in this Friday's Class 2-A Mideast Regional Tournament at Flaherty Park in Wake Forest.

ZEBULON - Lynchburg's Jake Fox went 2-for-2 with three runs and starter Will Dion worked through four perfect innings with six strikeouts as the Hillcats defeated the Carolina Mudcats 8-1 last Thursday night at Five County Stadium in Class A Carolina League baseball action.
The Mudcats (7-5), playing as the Carolina Micro Brews, were held to just two hits in the loss.

HIGH POINT - The No. 23-ranked NC State baseball team (24-11) scored nine unanswered runs en route to its 13-5 win over High Point (12-26) last Wednesday night at Truist Point, home of the High Point Rockers, extending its win streak to six.
With the win, head coach Elliott Avent, the school's all-time winningest coach, captured his 950th win at NC State.

Louisburg College's Ramsey Schlafer (left) is safe at second base for the Lady Hurricanes during last Friday's doubleheader sweep against Region X opponent Florence-Darlington on the LC campus.

BUNN'S CORY SAYLOR PROVIDES HITTING TIPS TO MIRACLE LEAGUER TAYLOR SMITH

JORDAN PETTIS IS ALL SMILES WHILE TAKING A BIG SWING

Connor Allen of the Rockies smacks a single during recent Town of Louisburg Recreation Department T-Ball action at Joyner Park.

ASHER JACKSON OF THE BLUE JAYS TRIES TO TAG KINSLEY EDWARDS OF THE ROCKIES

WHITTAKER POLLOCK POKES A HIT FOR THE ORIOLES

ARTIST TO BE HONORED. An open house and reception is being held from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, to honor Kathryn Launey, the Franklin County Arts Council's May Artist of the Month. The open house and reception will be held at the Gallery on the Hill, 99 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg. Kathryn (Kat) Launey is a surrealist artist. Her art is derived from microscopic images based on slides she made herself.

The Texas Tenors, a three-time Emmy Award-winning classical crossover trio vocal group, will perform at the JPAC on the Louisburg College ccampus at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 7.
The popular singing group has amassed a fan base worldwide with over half a million followers on social media and more than 20 million views on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

MARRIED. Napoleon and Marsha Dunn announce the marriage of their daughter, Miriam Denise Dunn, of Spring Hope, to Cornelius Rashon Wilder of Bunn. Cornelius is the son of Michael and Earlean Wilder of Bunn. Miriam is the granddaughter of Bobby Scott. The wedding was March 19, 2022 in Rocky Mount, NC.

David Parrish, playing in the Kerr-Tar Area on Aging Senior Games' billiards tournament. Calling the plays, seated, is Melvin Kelly.

The Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging Senior Games' billiards tournament was held for the first time at the Louisburg Senior Center. Participant, from left to right are JB Wheless of Franklin County, Harold Fuller of Person County, Eddie Watson of Franklin County, Donnie Hawley of Person County, and Walter Wilson of Person County.

Ilean Mattocks, Brenda McNeil and Patti Jones play shuffle board during the Senior Games.

Concert Friday
South Bound N Down Band will perform at the Louisburg Senior Center, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Friday, April 29. Location is 279 S. Bickett Blvd, Louisburg. There is a small admission.

JUSTICE -- A Southern Nash High School student remains in a Raleigh hospital after being electrocuted following a single-vehicle crash.
According to a report by Trooper C.A. Allen, Alexis Shania Harris of 10734 Seven Paths Road, Spring Hope, was heading north on Charlie Morgan Road the evening of April 16 when she rounded a curve at too high a rate of speed for the roadway.

Youngsville's Union Bank Branch Vice President Gerald Lloyd presented a $500 check to Franklinton Womans Club President Nance Meador for the Depot preservation.

Wake Electric continues its support of renewable energy by building a 638-kW solar farm with a 1,115 kWh Tesla battery located near the New Life Church on Zebulon Road east of Wake Forest.
This project demonstrates Wake Electric's commitment to balance renewable energy with controlling costs for its members, officials said.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Sheriff's office purchased a search and rescue vehicle with a public safety grant.
As part of a $2.5 million nationwide effort, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation provided the law enforcement agency with a $24,878 critical grant award.
It was applied toward the purchase of Polaris Ranger Crew XP, which will be used to ensure greater lifesaving capabilities for first responders in the community.

RALEIGH -- Abilene Ramirez Navarro of Louisburg said she wants to open a tire shop for her father after a $5 scratch-off ticket pocketed her a $250,000 prize.
"This win is going to be really helpful for us," Navarro said.
Navarro, a 26-year-old dental assistant, decided to make a quick stop to get a lottery ticket while on her way to the gym. She bought her lucky 20X The Cash ticket from Bailey's Store on Zebulon Road in Wake Forest.

Jimmy Cottrell of Rustic Building Supply in Louisburg was recently presented the Golden Hammer Award for more than 50 years in the hardware business. The special award, presented by Greg Worley, district manager of Orgill, was presented by Irwin to those who have been in the hardware industry for a half century.