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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners agreed to pay $1.4 million for nearly 40 acres, potentially the site of a new county complex.
Still, many things must happen before a final determination on a compound for county offices is made, said County Manager Kim Denton.
A 2019 facilities study outlined a number of challenges regarding county facilities, including the need for a new county administration building.

Volunteers and partners with The Journey Ministry Pantry -- with the aid of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina -- prepared meals for more than 100 families as part of their Thankful Tuesday food distribution effort. Above, Sharon Lee Owens, Ellis Pratt, Ezra Pierce, Lucy Pierce and Shiloh Wise pick through a box of cabbages as they separate donated food items that would be distributed to families in and around Youngsville.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners denied one rezoning -- refusing to stick a construction business inside a residential neighborhood -- and approved another, allowing for residential development on a plot that's surrounded by homes on two sides.
First, Juana Martinez with Salas Properties LLC petitioned the board to rezone 3.7 acres off of Long Mill Road from low-density residential to general business.

LOUISBURG -- Long-serving Franklin County Board of Education member Bernard Hall was honored on Nov. 21 by the school board, culminating his 24 years of service.
The meeting was Hall's last after he decided not to seek re-election in the November General Election.
"Hall has provided steady leadership, knowledge and wisdom during his tenure on the board, said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, superintendent.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners recognized a public servant who is departing and also reminded the public of the necessity of a new person joining the county's management team.
Cedric Jones was appointed to the Board of Commissioners in the spring of 2012 to fill the unexpired term of Penny McGhee.

Legends Jeremy Buck and Tevin McGirt

When Youngsville ceded its utility system to Franklin County in February 2013, editorials in this paper warned leaders that such a decision could come back to bite them in the tushie.
Here it is, almost 10 years later and, we don't take great delight in saying 'Told you so,' so, I'll just say, 'Here we are.'
To be honest, I'm not even sticking out my tongue and mocking the town.

Dear Editor:
First, thanks to Gary Cunard for trying to keep Franklin County taxpayers aware of the business dealings by our "distinguished" county manager and commissioners. We are doomed financially by our representation it seems. How did all of this happen?

FRANKLINTON, NC--Dorothy Belle Evans Harris, 96, of Franklinton passed away on November 24, 2022. She was born to the late Arthur and Verna Hight Evans on March 2, 1926. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Junious Harris; a son, Robert Arthur Harris; a daughter, Teresa Gail Harris; a grandson, Matthew Thomas Harris, and her brother, Donald Evans.

LOUISBURG, NC--Elder Nathaniel Cooke, born December 3, 1933 to the late Percy and Lucy Cooke, passed away at the age of 88, Monday, November 21, 2022 after a brief illness.

Louisburg, NC--Elizabeth Gertrude Mills Hill, 75, of Louisburg, died November 24, 2022. She was born on December 21, 1946, to the late Edward "Buddy" and Avis Gilliam Mills. In addition to her parents, Gertrude was predeceased by her brothers, James Mills, Reginald Mills, and Joseph Mills; a sister, Lorene Mills Allen and a stepdaughter, Mandy Hill.

Louisburg, NC--Grover Cleveland Harris Jr., 95, of Louisburg, died Monday, November 14, 2022. He was born on February 12, 1927, to the late Grover Cleveland Sr. and Vera Wagstaff Harris. In addition to his parents, Grover was predeceased by his wives, Beaufort Williams Harris and Sharon Fischer Harris; a daughter, Theresa Wall; a grandson, Charlie Harris; his sister, Edith Park; and his brother, John Lindsay Harris.

Youngsville, NC--John James Icenogle, 43, of Youngsville died November 23, 2022. He was born on July 24, 1979 the son of Cynde McElderry Mitchell and the late Billy Leon Icenogle, Sr.. In addition to his father , John was predeceased by grandparents, Edward P. McElderry, James Delbert Icenogle, and Ruth and Tony Humphrey.

LOUISBURG, NC--Joseph Bernard Daniel, 67, of Louisburg passed away on November 20, 2022. He was born on January 28, 1955 to Gladys Thompson Daniel and the late Forrest S. Daniel, Jr.

Louisburg, NC--Peter Nelson Gibson, 57, of Louisburg died Friday, November 18, 2022, at his home. He was born on June 12, 1965, to the late Earl Gibson and Helen Berryman.

BUNN -- When the Bunn High School Wrestling Room was first constructed, it was easy to wonder if the school would have enough interested student-athletes to even remotely fill the new facility.
These days, there isn't enough space in the room to accommodate the seemingly never-ending array of youngsters who have been drawn to the sport at BHS.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg High School's hopes of repeating as the Big East Conference's Class 2-A Champions took a hit in the off-season with the transfer of Jordan Durham -- but don't give up on the Warriors just yet.
Last year, LHS went 14-12 overall en route to winning the 2-A Big East and reached the Class 2-A State Playoffs, where the Warriors claimed a thrilling victory over Princeton thanks to a last-second shot from then-freshman Zy'marin Blacknall.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- A whopping 13 Franklin County standouts, including five from league runner-up Bunn, have earned spots on the 2022 All-Big East Conference Boys Soccer Team.
Ten of the players were on the All-Big East First Team, while three more picked up an honorable mention salute.

BUNN -- Side plots will be plentiful when Bunn hosts the annual Bunn Holiday Basketball Tournament from December 27-29.
The event will feature both eight boys and four girls teams and will be staged at the Bunn Dome.
Championship contests are slated for December 29 at 6 p.m. (girls) and 7:30 p.m. (boys).

Coach Parker Haake has built the Bunn Wildcats into one of the area's top prep wrestling programs.

Franklin County Arts Council is accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Dec. 23.
Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils.

CELEBRATION. On Nov. 9, Napoleon and Annie Walker celebrated 65 years of marriage. They were married on November 9, 1957 in Vance County. The couple has five children (three deceased). This photo is from their 25th anniversary.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Six-time Grammy Award nominee and recent North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee Nnenna Freelon will perform at the JPAC. She has toured with Ray Charles as well as many other great jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Earl Klugh and Take 6.
Appearing along with Freelon is The John Brown Big Band, a professional large jazz ensemble made up of top musicians specializing in performances of traditional compositions from the Great American Songbook and today's cutting-edge arrangements.

RALEIGH -- During the 2022 NC State Fair, the Senator James D. Speed Achievement $1,000 Scholarship was presented to an outstanding youth who exhibited beef heifers, Aiden Kernodle, from Alamance County.
Mark Speed, son of the late James Speed, presented the scholarship award to Aiden after the 'Sale of Champions' on Sunday, October 23, in the Graham Livestock Building.

LOUISBURG -- A local group of freemasons presented two local students with help to start their college careers.
Oak Grove Masonic Lodge NO. 393 presented scholarships to Kayla D. Hilliard and Ernest D. Crudup, graduates of Louisburg High and Franklinton High, respectively.
Hilliard, the daughter of Louisburg resident Stephanie Banks, is attending Fayetteville State University.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are investigating allegations of rape.
Deputies were called to Duke Hospital the morning of Nov. 25 to speak with a woman who appeared to have been raped.
The woman was transferred there from Maria Parham Franklin.

Marvin Lewis Pleasants, prior commandant of the Percy John Fulton Detachment #1075, Winston-Salem, NC, was awarded the Spirit of Hope Award at the Pentagon, Washington, DC, recently.
The award was presented to him by Gilbert R. Cisneros, under secretary of defense and Mrs. April Langwell, director of communications, HQ, USMC.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council filled a critical position during its meeting on Nov. 21, honored another important employee and handled a number of relatively routine items during its November meeting.
The board hired Pamela Perry as its town clerk, announcing her selection and swearing her into her new role at the beginning of the meeting.

LOUISBURG -- Two agriculture enthusiasts from Franklin County have been recognized.
Cooperative Extension Agent Martha Mobley was awarded two awards at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Annual Conference.
She won the State Grange "Search for Excellence" overall team award along with Paul Gonzalez from Sampson County for a seven-month series of cattle programs called "Cow Camp 101: Back to the Basics."

LOUISBURG -- The state Board of Elections unanimously certified the 2022 general election on Tuesday, making way for local swearing-in ceremonies set for Dec. 5.
On Monday, Dec. 5, swearing-in ceremonies are set for Clerk of Court Shelley Dickerson and her staff, Sheriff Kevin White and his staff, and County Commissioners Harry Foy, David Bunn and Roxanne Bragg.

The Dragonfly Salon, 4502 NC 39 S. Bunn, recently held their grand opening. The salon features a wide array of services. Pictured left to right: Jonathan Cash, hairstyling; Lorena McKoy, skincare; Veronica B Hayes, manicures and pedicures; and Natasha Whaley, massage therapy. The salon will have an open house 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4.