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FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration went was executed without a keynote speaker.
However, the word was given.
The event, hosted by the MLK Jr. Committee, marked its 17th anniversary on Saturday.
Joe Cutchins Jr., part of local efforts to recognize the slain civil rights leader since the beginning, said Saturday was just as much about King as the folks who made sure that his legacy was felt and remembered in Franklinton and Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- As a Representative with the General Assembly, Matthew Winslow has shown up at many meetings with ceremonial checks or legislation to bolster the community.
As chair of Franklin County's Committee of 100, he's asked the community to support the county's business and industrial efforts.
As a homebuilder, he's provided plenty of folks with their new home.

HENDERSON -- A superior court judge gave a convicted murderer's attorney more than two months to produce the documents they allege could have changed his outcome in court.
In August 2018, Judge David Lambeth Jr. sentenced Garry Yarborough to life in prison without parole -- plus 40 years -- after a jury found him guilty of killing Tracy Williams.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners agreed to continue moving forward with plans to develop a new Youngsville convenience center site.
During the board's Jan. 17 meeting, commissioners selected MESCO, a Garner-based civil and sanitary engineering company, to provide the final design work and construction administration for the solid waste site.
MESCO has already done the preliminary draft site layout for the center at 2275 Long Mill Road.

Bunn HS legend Quinton Cannady

It's hard to believe but this is the last edition of The Franklin Times you'll receive -- well, at least in January, 2023.
The first month of this new year has really flown by and already we're looking at February and all it's likely to bring.
But as we work through the last few days of this month, we can be thankful that all that rain we have received recently fell when the mercury was well above the freezing point.

I've been in this business, roughly, since my sophomore year in college -- 1997.
Strangely enough, within the past week, I came across two pieces of news; one where I didn't bat an eye and another that left me totally dumbfounded.
In 25 years, I'm kind of surprised that both things can still happen at the same time.
Unless you've been under a rock, or on a total media blackout, you're probably aware that our state auditor, Beth Wood, is embroiled in a hit and run controversy.

Dear editor,
People talk about the swamp in Washington. What about the quagmire in Raleigh?
A State Auditor's car that belongs to the state should have two GPS Units -- one that's installed by manufacturer and one that's installed by the state to keep track of the location of vehicle and how it's being driven.

Dear editor:
First, I am thankful that you are better, Gary. You were missed.
Your recovery time made me appreciate the work that you, Carey, and your staff do.
Keeping a pulse on our community and the world at large brings insight into issues and concerns that keeps the public informed.

Louisburg, NC--Cameron Eric Burnette, 30, of Louisburg, died Tuesday, January 17, 2023. He was born on February 26, 1992, a son of Thursa Burnette Lopez and the late Cloice "Tinker" Burnette, Jr. In addition to his father, Cameron was also predeceased by a brother, Christopher Eugene Burnette.

Louisburg, NC-- Memorial services for Sylvester "Syl" Chavis, age 72, who died on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 4 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

FRANKLINTON -- It was just another day at the office for the Bunn High School Wildcats -- which meant the rest of the Big East Conference might as well have called in sick.
Bunn, which has morphed into an area mat dynasty in recent years, defended its team crown last Saturday at the annual Big East Wrestling Championships, which were held at the Franklinton High School Gymnasium.

BUNN -- When looking for a new football coach, administrators at Bunn High School discovered -- literally -- that the top choice was right outside the BHS gridiron office the entire time.
That's where a collage of framed pictures adorns the hallway at the Bunn Dome.
One of those photos is BHS great Andre Davis during his tenure as a standout at Elon University.

BUNN -- Bunn didn't have much difficulty with Northern Nash during the clubs' earlier-season girls basketball meeting in the Big East Conference.
BHS claimed that triumph by 14 points on the road just before Christmas, but the rematch was destined to be much tougher on Tuesday evening courtesy of a determined Northern Nash group.

LOUISBURG -- Coming off their best-ever season, the Louisburg College Lady Hurricanes will feature an all-new lineup when they kick off the 2023 softball campaign on February 11 at home against Region X opponent Florence-Darlington Tech.
Last spring, the Lady Hurricanes once again claimed the region regular season and tournament championships while qualifying for the nationals -- and closing with an impressive 47-5 worksheet.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton's surging boys and girls basketball squads picked up a clean sweep last Friday against Roanoke Rapids in Big East Conference action at the FHS Gymnasium.
In girls action, FHS was a 45-32 winner before the boys closed out the double dip with an 85-66 conquest as both teams remained near the top of the standings in the always-competitive league.

BUNN-- A rebuilding Bunn club met a powerhouse Northern Nash squad Tuesday in Big East Conference action -- with a predictable result.
The Fighting Knights are one of the top Class 3-A squads in the state, and have an undefeated record to back up that lofty claim.
On the other side of the court, Bunn is in full rebuilding mode with a young lineup that hopes for future success.

Guard Alexis Perry was exceptional for the Bunn Ladycats during Tuesday night's home victory against the Northern Nash Lady Knights in Big East Conference girls basketball action.

BUNN HIGH SCHOOL'S DAMARION WATKINS BIG EAST MVP

Louisburg Senior Center has a monthly billiard tournament, the second Friday of each month. This month's winners, left to right: third place, Larry Davis; first place JB Wheless; and second place Melvin Kelly.

Louisburg Senior Center has a cornhole tournament every second Monday of the month. This month's winners were the Wheless brothers, from left: second place, JB Wheless and first place Joe Wheless.

CENTERVILLE -- Franklin County fire officials continue to investigate the cause of a house fire that claimed the life of a Franklin County man.
Cameron Burnette died from injuries he sustained in the Jan. 15 fire on Laurel Mill Centerville Road.
"The investigation is still ongoing and extensive," said Franklin County Fire Marshal Trey Evans.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners reduced the footprint of a fire district that was hampering downtown business development.
As Fire District 1 was initially designed, buildings within 150 feet of Main Street, from College Street to Nassau Street, could only be built using stone or brick -- a precaution to limit fire potential.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town staff have taken steps to bolster cyber security and spruce up Main Street.
Each of those updates was provided during the Youngsville Board of Commissioner's Jan. 12 meeting.
First, Town Attorney Katie Barber-Jones shared with the board that she and Police Capt. Brandon Lemons have developed an information, security and data breach response policy and put in place plans to bolster the town's cyber security.

Above, from left, Maria Parham's Executive Director of Operations Emilee Johnson presented the Small Business of the Year Award to the Youngsville ABC Store. Accepting were Hunter Eddins, Lila Hedlund and Bridget Stanley.

Members of the Truth Ministry Church of God of Prophecy Praise Dancers were part of the entertainment during Franklinton Martin Luther King Jr. Day of celebration last Saturday.