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FUN ALL AROUND. Above, dozens unfurled a giant flag during Franklinton's festivities.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The Youngsville Fire Department began full emergency response coverage this month.
The decision came as Franklin County and its fire departments are still trying to work out a more modern emergency Medical Responder Program that outlines respondent criteria, equipment requirements, incentives for calls, and liability issues for participating fire departments.

BUNN -- Town commissioners agreed to demolish structures they've long deemed dilapidated, enforcing the town's housing nuisance policy it adopted in May.
The property's owner, Craig Garvin, promises it won't be an easy action for which to follow through, though.
In May, the town amended its pubic nuisance ordinance specifying the requirements to regulate public nuisances, essentially giving the town the authority to take quicker action against properties deemed to be "chronic" violators.

Rebecca and Keyara Burk

Now that the echoes of firecrackers, aerial bombs and assorted other celebrations are fading away, it's time to get ready for those lazy, hazy days of summer once celebrated in song.
July has rolled in, bringing with it more seasonable summertime temperatures with the mercury reaching well into the 90s and the dreaded humidity making efforts to do anything outdoors somewhere between sticky and downright uncomfortable.

If you saw last week's edition of The Franklin Times, you would have seen that the town of Louisburg -- aided by its police department, agents with the State Alcohol Law Enforcement and community leaders -- have waged a legal battle to eliminate what they argue is a danger to the community.
And, in this week's edition, you'll see that the town of Bunn has taken action to remove a home and unattached garage that they argue is an eyesore and danger to the community.

Dear editor: By the time this letter is published an outside group will have already visited Franklin County in an attempt to further their agenda to determine if pornographic materials are being made available to children in our public schools.
They provide a list of books that they have deemed obscene and pornographic in nature and attempt to convince you that schools and school media centers are allowing sexually explicit content to be available to minors causing them great harm.

Nashville, NC--Funeral services for Ardean Lynch Mills, age 86, who died on Sunday, July 2, 2023, will be held 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 9, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Linda Taybron officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Grove Church Cemetery.

Henderson, NC--Funeral services for Jimmie "Biggie" Burnette, age 48, who died on Saturday, June 24, 2023, will be 11 a.m., Saturday, July 8, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Michael Winston officiating.

Franklinton, NC--Joyce Maxine Pace Greathouse of Franklinton, NC passed away on June 23, 2023. Maxine was born on December 30, 1936 to the late Howard and Lola Godfrey Pace. In addition to her parents, Maxine is predeceased by a son, Dewey T Matthew, Jr.; a great-grandson, Drake Matthew Dooley; and her long time partner and companion, William "Bill" E. Preddy.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Happy Valley has indeed become Ty Howle's Happy Place -- and don't look for that to change any time soon.
Little did Howle know when he signed to play football at Penn State University in 2009 that the moment would provide the beginning of a long-term career-path commitment.

On June 27, I said goodbye to my high school basketball coach.
As a retired educator, I've experienced how hard it is to say goodbye to students you've lost.
Now, I find it equally hard to say goodbye to my teacher, coach and mentor.
Words cannot express how heartbroken I am over the passing of Coach Eddy Boyette, a friend and hometown legend.

LOUISBURG -- After two successful spike seasons in the Big East Conference, the Louisburg Lady Warriors will be making the shift to the Northern Lakes Conference for at least the next pair of campaigns beginning this fall.
The perennial powerhouse Lady Warriors, led by veteran head coach Erica Wammock, went 29-18 over the past two years. LHS won the Big East Tournament Championship in 2021 en route to making the third round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs.

ZEBULON -- Jose Sibrian and Jesus Parra both drove in four runs, Kay-Lan Nicasia hit a three-run home run, Jadher Areinamo had three hits and starter Patricio Aquino pitched through the fifth with five strikeouts as the homestanding Carolina Mudcats defeated the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 13-4 in front of an Independence Day crowd of 6,313 on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.

America's birthday celebrated by fireworks in Franklinton

RIDIN' IN ALERT. Barry Dean and Patty Morales were awaiting the start of the annual Alert Fourth parade.

Bailey Burk 4, enjoys a slide!

UNCLE SAM. What's a Fourth of July parade in Alert without Uncle Sam? Some say he looks a lot like Kenneth Radford!

FAMILY AFFAIR. Watching a parade in Alert is a lot more fun when it's a family event and this family included, from the left, Ma'Kyah Hayes, Saveion Hayes, Kimberly Hayes, Pamela Anderson, Aubree' Solomon, Ariyanna Anderson, Laniya Hayes and Pauline Anderson.

MR. BUBBLES AT WORK! If you want to attract a group of kids on a pretty summer evening, get out the bubble maker. Franklin County Parks and Recreation Director June Greene shows how its done -- and the kids flocked to him at the county's fireworks and food truck event at Louisburg High School Monday evening.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's Tax Administrator took her second oath last month.
Marian Cascone is serving her second term, after taking over for Dan Williams, who retired in February 2022.
"I am deeply honored and humbled for this appointment," said Cascone whose duties also include assessing taxes, which required the oath she took on June 29.

BUNN -- Town commissioners adopted its 2023-24 budget ordinance.
And, during the same June 5 meeting, they agreed to spend money to improve sidewalks, put a new roof on town hall and amend their zoning ordinance to allow town homes in its medium-density residential district.
The board approved a spending plan that will require $642,222 to cover general fund expenses.

BICKETT BOULEVARD FOURTH OF JULY PARADE?!? Traffic on Bickett Boulevard and Wade Avenue in Louisburg was backed up on Tuesday as Sheetz offered an Independence Day sale on gasoline, offering fuel for $1.776 per gallon. The one day sale lasted until gasoline was sold out for the day. The same scenario was witnessed at Sheetz locations in Franklin County and around the region.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town management updated officials on two transportation projects: One is plugging along. One hit a road block.
The Main Street Improvement Project is designed to meet two goals: increase modality downtown with left-turn lanes and better synchronized lights, and improve pedestrian traffic with better sidewalks and crosswalks.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County Health Department launched a new program for pregnant and postpartum mothers.
Ready, Set, BABY and Safe Sleep Baby are new initiatives from Franklin County's Health Department designed to help mothers prepare for the birth of their baby by offering free classes -- taught by certified instructors -- on infant safe sleep and breastfeeding basics.

LOUISBURG -- For more than five years, Franklin County has been focused on efforts to improve broadband access throughout the county. Those efforts continue.
Through a $4 million Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant, Brightspeed -- formerly CenturyLink and Lumen -- will begin deploying high-speed fiber-to-the-home internet in more than 1,400 locations in Franklin County. GREAT Grant Phase II award requires a $437,651 match from Brightspeed and a County match of $437,650.