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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners agreed to pull more money from its savings account to fully fund the school system's operating expenses.
And, county management plans to meet with school staff through August to prepare a report to outline how they address capital needs moving forward.
The decisions were a result of County Manager Kim Denton's decision to revise her budget proposal -- a revelation she shared after the county received nearly 100 comments through its budget portal -- primarily imploring the county to fully fund the school system's request.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council is leaning toward a budget that raises taxes by 5 cents and gives its employees a bigger increase.
It still doesn't include more fire department staff or equipment, though.
That position became more clear during the board's June 2 budget session.

GETTING STARTED. Franklin County Early College High School set off graduation festivities two weeks ago. Above, Tara Blake offers words of encouragement. Graduations at Louisburg, Bunn and Franklinton high schools are set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, at those schools. Louisburg's starts at 7:30 p.m. BHS and FHS graduations are set to start at 7 p.m.

LOUISBURG -- It was a bizarre twist of events that began with a tragic death at a railroad crossing near Franklinton and eventually, in part at least, led to the creation of a Louisburg business that has focused on one of Franklin County's largest and most reliable agriculture products for more than a century. That business is Pruitt Lumber Company which, after a multi-generational 103-year run, will be closing for good this summer unless a buyer emerges to maintain the company, which processes Southern Yellow Pine trees into lumber.

Admora Townes at the Franklinton Senior Center

Finally, it's starting to look and feel like North Carolina again -- still a bit cool for this time of the year but at least we're headed in the right direction for early June.
By this Sunday, the temperature -- if you dare to trust the weather forecasters' dart-board style predictions -- should see the mercury soar to near 90.
Now that's more like it -- and I can almost hear Franklin County's vegetable gardens responding. Even over the sounds of the weeds growing!
Before you know it, we'll be awash in tomatoes, peppers, squash and a whole lot of other garden goodies.

This is the time of year when most parents, grandparents, guardians and, honestly, anyone who loves children, tend to hold their breath.
Sure. There are audible gasps of excitement as high school seniors graduate from school.
Already, seniors at Franklin County Early College High School have completed that process, many graduating with a high school diploma, plus either college credits or an associate's degrees.

Dear editor:
I serve on the Franklin County Solid Waste Task Force. I am dedicated to recycling, however my passion is litter prevention.
Over the years, I have noticed much improvement in the amount of litter on our highways.
Still, people need to hear that littering is against the law.

Racism, is it real or perceived?
African-Americans make up 16.5 percent of the total population in America.
1) We have woman who is half black as vice president, the second highest political office in the USA.
2) We have black men and women in the U.S. Senate who are of African descent.

Dear editor: Thank you for the recent comprehensive coverage of the problem of planned Franklin County Schools under the funding. As a 50-year resident of Louisburg, I am enjoying seeing all the K-12 kids' pictures in the paper.
I support fully funding the FC School system and will continue to monitor and expect the FC County commissioners to provide that funding.

Dear editor: I'm very disappointed about the $4 million budget cut to the Franklin County School system. As a parent, all people want the best education for their children.
A large budget cut takes away very important resources from the students and teachers. The public school system is in a crisis and our students and teachers deserve better!

Belhaven, NC -- Mr. Jasper Broughton "J.B." Paschall, age 77, a former resident of Belhaven, died Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

Louisburg, NC--John Willis Finn, of Louisburg, North Carolina, passed away on June 4, 2023. He was born on November 24, 1943, the son of the late Luther Sr. and Sallie Chappell Finn. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his loving wife, Rosa Robertson Finn; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Luther W. Finn, Jr (Patricia), Walter Horace Finn (Joan), and Mickey Finn.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Timmie Lee Richardson, age 50, who died on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, June 10, from the Louisburg High School Auditorium with Dr. Carl Wardrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Richardson Family Cemetery.

Franklinton, NC--Funeral services for Truman "Uncle Truman" Green, age 75, who died on Sunday, June 4, 2023, will be held 11 a.m., Monday, June 12, from the Oak Level Christian Church in Youngsville with Rev. Walter Yarborough, eulogist. Private burial will follow in the Green Family Cemetery.

Arcola, NC--Funeral services for Zelda Hedgepeth Moore, age 67, who died on Saturday, June 3, 2023, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, June 10 from the Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister with Rev. Frederick Williams, eulogist. Burial will follow in the Pine Chapel Memorial Garden Cemetery.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Six Franklin County prep stars -- including three from playoff-qualifying Bunn -- have been saluted with spots on the 2023 All-Big East Conference Softball Team.
BHS' honorees were all seniors -- Lenita Bryson, Daisy Baez-Hernandez and Carlee Tart. All three of those performers will continue their careers on the collegiate level.

FRANKLINTON -- Northern Nash's ascent toward the top of the Big East Conference boys standings -- and Rocky Mount's continual stay there on the girls side -- were among the many storylines this spring in the always-competitive league.
NN ended Southern Nash's recent reign in the Big East by taking first place overall at the annual Conference Track and Field Championships, which were held in late-April at the Franklinton High School Football Field.

FRANKLINTON -- Fueled in part by a strong late-season run, the Franklinton Red Rams enjoyed some effective work during the 2023 campaign under first-year head coach Charles Whitaker.
The Red Rams won five of their final six regular season contests to move into a second-place tie with Southern Nash in the always-competitive Big East Conference.

LOUISBURG -- To the victor comes the spoils, and there were plenty of both this season for the Louisburg College softball squad.
LC enjoyed its best-ever campaign this spring as the Lady Hurricanes posted an unbelievable 63-5 record while winning the Region X regular season and tournament championships en route to a district title.

LYNCHBURG, VA. -- Gregory Barrios had a RBI single in the ninth, but the visiting Carolina Mudcats fell a run shy of a late comeback while falling to the Lynchburg Hillcats 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of the James Stadium.
Jheremy Vargas paced the Carolina offense with two hits in the loss.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County emergency community is considering installing guidelines that would define how first responders can provide medical care before county EMS units arrive.
Volunteer fire units, though, said they needed more time to digest the proposal, prompting county commissioners to hold off on putting the Medical Responder Program Guidelines in place.

BUNN -- A backbone of the Bunn community was presented with one of the state's highest honors this week.
The family of Freddie Mack Jones accepted the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on his behalf.
Jones died in December of 2022 with about a year left on his term as commissioner.

4-H TEEN RETREAT. Ten Franklin County 4-H'ers attended the Northeast District Teen Retreat March 31-April 2. Youth traveled to the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC to stay two nights and three days. Youth attended workshops including, but not limited to, becoming a district or state officer, wildlife and the environment and public speaking.