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LOUISBURG -- After listening to a detailed, hour-long explanation of its financial situation, the Franklin County Board of Education passed a continuing budget last Friday that encompasses $132.4 million.
The budget, which is a "continuing" document that will carry the district into fiscal 2022-23 until the state's General Assembly passes the actual 2022-23 state budget -- and school districts learn how that document will affect each of them.

It just wouldn't be a Fourth of July parade without an appearance by Uncle Sam. Once again Alert's own Kenneth Radford stepped up to fulfill that role.

Adalynn Pernell, 8, was quite adept at nabbing candy tossed by parade participants in Alert. Here she shows off the bag of "loot" she rounded up.

The float shownabove from the Alert Pentecostal Holiness Church was deemed the best entry in the Alert Fourth of July parade on Monday, the second year the church's entry has won first.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton went into its 2021-22 spending plan expecting to pull $430,000 from its savings account to balance the budget.
And, right before the fiscal year ended, commissioners agreed to pull another $300,000 from its savings account to make sure the budget balances.
Management said the additional, last-minute funding was necessary to make up for shortfalls on the revenue side -- including an expected $200,000 from the sale of surplus property, coupled with some additional spending that took place throughout the year.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Operators of a Youngsville food pantry cut a ceremonial ribbon that served as a theoretical finish line.
But, it's also a starting point for The Journey Ministry Pantry.
For about three years, Helen Long and a host of community stalwarts and volunteers were operating a pantry as part of the outreach ministry of Glory Tabernacle Church.

Louise Johnson

I'm in awe!
Impressed, even.
If you remember the photos we published last week about the community garden in Franklinton, you may have had the same reaction.
Over the years, I've written and/or edited a number of stories about gardens, community gardens in particular.

Over the past few weeks, I've had the pleasure of helping community groups and organizations share their stories.
And, I wish to powerful entities that I didn't.
Two weeks ago, I had the chance to go out and speak with a dedicated group of volunteers with green thumbs who put their talents to work to help provide fruits and vegetables for seniors and those in need in and around the town of Franklinton.

Dear editor:
Is Biden for or against fossil fuels?
According to ABC News (Sept. 6, 2019), Biden said "I want you to look at my eyes. I guarantee you. I guarantee you. We're going to end fossil fuel."

Dear editor:
As we celebrate Independence Day this week, it is important to note the passing of Hershel W. "Woody" Williams. Williams was one of 27 Marines and sailors to receive the Medal of Honor for their actions at Iwo Jima. He was the last living WWII recipient of the award.

Dear editor:
I've seen protests on TV over Roe V Wade abortion rights. Some signs say we want Democracy not theology.
Protests on TV over school shootings. I see signs that thoughts and prayers do not work.

BOYDTON, VA--Andrew Waylon Gleason, 44, of Boydton VA and formerly of Norlina died July 3, 2022. He was born on January 20, 1978.

LOUISBURG, NC--Janet Eleanor Moore Wood, 81, of Louisburg passed away on July 2, 2022. She was born on November 17, 1940, to the late Arthur and Eleanor Bowden Moore. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Garland Wood; and her brother, Arthur Moore, Jr. .

RALEIGH, NC--Jenia Loftin Cannon, 73, passed away Monday, June 27, 2022. She was born March 22, 1949 in Moore County to the late Cletus Cleveland Loftin and Edna Maynor Loftin. She retired after 22 years of service as a courtroom clerk with the NC Clerk of Superior Court.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Kathleen Diana Grissom, 48, of Franklinton, NC died Friday, June 24, 2022 after a courageous four week battle in the ICU.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Lorenzo Cash Quintana, 43, of Youngsville died July 4, 2022. He was born on April 2, 1979, the son of Sandra Cash Quintana and the late Lorence H. Quintana. In addition to his father, Lorenzo was predeceased by his grandparents, Alejandro and Anna Quintana and Melvin and Edith Cash.

LOUISBURG, NC--Nicholas Michael Barrow, 42, of Louisburg died June 30, 2022. He was born on March 30, 1980, to Elizabeth "Lisa" Posey Barrow and the late Millard "Woody" Barrow.

FRANKLINTON - Donnie Ray's final season as Franklinton High School's head baseball coach was certainly one to remember -- thanks in part to a strong senior class.
Three of those talented Red Rams' upperclassmen recently signed letters-of-intent to continue their diamond careers on the collegiate level.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Louisburg and Youngsville will field teams in upcoming Tar Heel Baseball District 5 Tournaments in Wake County.
Louisburg, under the guidance of Rec Director Colton Young, will participate in the 7-8, 10-Under, 12-Under and 13-15 events.
Youngsville will compete in all of those tourneys with the exception of 13-15.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton has firmly established itself as an area volleyball power over the past several seasons -- and look for that to continue once again this fall.
The Lady Rams are loaded with quality returnees as they look put together yet another strong finish in the ultra-competitive Big East Conference.

KANNAPOLIS -- Jose Sibrian hit a three-run home run in the first, Alexander Cornielle started and struck out seven over five innings, Miguel Guerrero stranded three inherited runners in the sixth and Karlos Morales earned his third save as the Carolina Mudcats won their fifth straight baseball game 4-3 versus the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Monday night in Kannapolis.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The 2022 East Wake Football League will kick off on August 27 with Franklin County squads Bunn, Franklinton and Louisburg taking part.
All games will begin with Fifth Quarter action at 4 p.m.
Here is the schedule for each team:

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina University sophomore Zach Agnos has been officially named to the 26-man 2022 Collegiate National Team roster USA Baseball officials announced Tuesday afternoon.
With his selection, Agnos becomes the fifth Pirate in program history to be named to the final Collegiate National Team roster following Jake Agnos (2018), Bryan Packard (2018), Alec Burleson (2019) and Carson Whisenhunt (2021).

FRANKLINTON'S BLAKE CHEATHAM SIGNS WITH AVERETT UNIVERSITY

LOUISBURG REC GIANTS T-BALL ACTION

Teagan Dunston, the daughter of Richard and Chelsee Dunston, was crowned Noble Miss North Carolina Queen of Excellence.
The Franklinton youngster was crowned on June 25 in Raleigh at the Noble Miss Carolina State Pageant.
Dunston received a variety of sponsored prizes and will continue to receive gifts throughout the year.

Luke Harris and Saylor Mize practice patience as Randy Wrenn oversees their fishing expedition.

Above, Heather Hoyle looks on as her kids, Hunter and Paisley, take a shot at catching a fish during the annual Take A Kid Fishing event, hosted by Chris Edwards, The Northern Sportsman.

Cyrus Clark helps his son, Ryan, unhook a fish he caught.

A once familiar face in Franklin County Schools is the newly hired superintendent of Weldon City Schools.
The Board of Education announced that Dr. Dannie T. Williams took over the district's top job on July 1.
During the search, the board reviewed applications from a diverse field of 19 candidates from six states and territories.

LOUISBURG -- Police said a case alleging a patron's food was drugged appears to be unfounded.
Early last month, a woman alleged that something she ate or drank at McDonald's contained an impairing substance.
The county's health department conducted an inspection, but did not find any evidence of food tampering.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners met in closed session for little more than an hour this week, but no action was taken.
Officials held the special called meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, going into closed session to discuss matters protected by attorney-client privilege, as well as talk about the purchase, lease or contracts associated with real property.

LOUISBURG -- Police continue to look for suspects in a home invasion, even after making an unrelated drug arrest in connection with the probe.
According to Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott, a resident at 216 Cooper Street reported that just before 9:30 p.m. on July 31, two suspects entered his home and demanded money and left the scene.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are looking for suspects who stole items from a handful of home construction sites.
Before noon on July 1, someone reported a theft from a construction site at 131 Gill Farm Way.
Later that afternoon, two more reports were made at 124 and 126 Gill Farm Way.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Early voting for the second primary, featuring races for School Board Districts 3, 5 and at-large 7, starts today.
The State Board of Elections adopted a compromise early voting plan for the county, offering early voting from July 7 through July 23 at the Board of Elections office at 279 S. Bickett Boulevard and the Youngsville Library at 218 U.S. 1-A.