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LOUISBURG -- What Louisburg's auditor defined as a "material weakness" and "material noncompliance" marred an otherwise rather routine audit report just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Despite hearing this significant warning about its audit -- which involved the expenditure of just over a half million dollars on one project -- none of the town council members asked a question or had a comment about the situation.

LIGHT SHOW. Finnley Parrish and Maleigh Person pose with Santa while Jessica Williams snaps their picture.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County emergency communications was set to start using an automated dispatch system at the end of November.
But, the county's fire chiefs asked them to delay its implementation.
And, the county listened.
This week, County Public Information Officer James Hicks said county management and emergency communications staff are reviewing revised implementation dates.

RALEIGH -- Franklin County recorded its first "zombie deer" case.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) confirmed a 2.5-year-old female white-tailed deer harvested in the county tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). It was tested as part of routine surveillance by the state.

FRANKLINTON -- For decades, the only souls that knew Ira Harris' pain were mules on his family's farm.
That changed eight years ago when Harris shared his story through the Oral History Project, cultivated by Louisburg College's Tar River Center for History and Culture.
Through that medium, Harris was able to share his story integrating Franklinton High School -- where he was essentially ripped away from all he knew, forced to go to a school that made it clear they didn't want him there, suffering all the indignities that could be imagined in the rural South in the 1960s.

Board of Elections Director Michelle Chavis

With Turkey Day in the rear-view mirror and outside temperatures getting downright chipper, it's time to prepare for the upcoming visit from Jolly Old St. Nick.
In what will likely seem like the blink of an eye, we'll be putting out cookies for the big guy and maybe some sugar to keep his reindeer charged up for their long night of toy distribution.
And in between -- especially if you have little ones in your home or as regular visitors -- there will be that whole "Elf on a Shelf" thing to contend with!

Life comes at you fast ... particularly when your memory starts fading.
By the way, that happens at around 50, boys and girls.
Anyway, in my reporter travels this week, someone asked me if I was ready for Dec. 4?!?
Doing some feeble attempts at mental and memory gymnastics -- filtering through my list of Christmas parades, tree lightings and Christmas markets -- I tried but couldn't immediately think of anything that was special about the date.

Dear editor:
This letter is regarding a Franklin Times news story in the Thursday, Nov. 23, edition that stated "big rigs a burden in Youngsville." I don't understand how politics work, local, state or national!

Dear editor:
With Thanksgiving behind us, it is obvious that the nation is still divided. I might have discovered part of the problem. Especially after the terrorist attack in Israel, the difference in news coverage, both in print, on network news and cable news is astounding.
It appears there is far more opinion than actual coverage on most of the networks. Is the national news media directing public opinion?

Franklinton, NC--Beverly Fleming Ramey, 86, of Franklinton, NC, peacefully passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. Beverly was born in Franklin County on March 1, 1937 to Norwood and Hattie Fleming.

Washington, DC--Funeral services for Dr. Worta J. McCaskill-Stevens, age 74, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 11 a.m. from the Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Fogg Family Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Dwight Steve Wynne, 72 died Monday, November 20, 2023, with family members by his side. He was born October 29,1951, in Franklin County to the late George Washington and Shirley Ayscue Wynne. In addition to his parents, Dwight was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Wynne; and a sister, Linda W. Taylor.

KittrelL, NC--Michael Todd Twisdale, 50, of Kittrell, died November 25, 2023. He was born on April 24, 1973, the son of Margaret Roberson Hicks and the late Charles Michael Twisdale.

Louisburg, NC--Raymond Warren Foster Jr., 57 died Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was born March 16,1966, in Franklin County to Raymond Warren Foster Sr. and the late Mary Charles Dement Foster. In addition to his mother, Warren was predeceased by his brother, Jason Edward Foster.

Louisburg, NC--Graveside services for Travonda Gantt Lee, age 55, who died on Thursday, November 23, 2023, will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 2 p.m. from the Penderman Family Cemetery at 1581 Schloss Road, Louisburg, N.C. with Rev. Anthony Alston officiating.

FRANKLINTON -- Now comes the next step for a talented trio of Franklinton High School's star-studded senior class.
Those exceptional student-athletes signed letters-of-intent two weeks ago to continue their respective careers on the collegiate level.
And the names aren't just ordinary roster members -- each one could make a strong case for being one of the top performers in their endeavors in FHS' school history.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- It's become an annual custom for Franklin County prep spike standouts to earn All-Region 3 honors by the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association -- and the 2023 campaign proved to be no different.
A whopping five county stars made the elite list, including two each from Franklinton and Louisburg -- and one more from Bunn.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- What's next?
That's the off-season theme for each of Franklin County's trio of high school football teams as they look forward to the 2024 campaign.
Only one county squad -- Louisburg -- qualified for the state playoffs this fall as the Warriors, with a young roster, went 6-6 overall while winning the Class 2-A portion of the split Northern Lakes Athletic Conference.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Here are last Friday's results and this Friday night's Regional Championship schedule for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's Class 2-A and 3-A State Football Playoffs:

MIKAYLA TABORN SIGNS WITH CAMPBELL

The Cherry Hill Concert Series will present a program of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas music at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
Daniel Steinert, pianist and choral director; Brian Koser, soprano saxophone; and the Cherry Hill Youth Voices will combine their talents in performing "Now Thank We All Our God," Gabriel's Oboe,""Go Tell It On The Mountain" and many other beloved works. A highlight of this program is the opportunity for the audience to participate and lift their voices in song with the performers.

LOUISBURG -- Youngsters enrolling in at least one kindergarten and one first grade class next year will have the opportunity to join a dual-language Spanish/English program that was approved last week by the Franklin County Board of Education.
The classes will be at Royal Elementary -- chosen because of its central Franklin County location -- and students will be picked via a lottery, which their parents must enter early next year.

A total of 15 students were saluted by the Franklin County Board of Education last week as those who best exemplified the featured characteristics of Self Control and Self Discipline in their respective schools.
The students each received a plaque and a bag of candy from Rhonda Schuhler, superintendent, and Elizabeth Keith, board chair, while the school board and audience clapped.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies continue to investigate a shooting that sent a 10-year-old girl to the hospital.
The girl's injuries were not life-threatening, authorities said.
According to authorities, deputies responded to a home in the 1400 block of Pine Ridge Road in the Zebulon area of the county on the afternoon of Nov. 26 to find the girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

LOUISBURG -- Police arrested a Louisburg man who led them on a chase following an apparent domestic dispute.
Louisburg police responded to Walmart after a woman reported that someone damaged her vehicle and threatened her by pointing a gun. Authorities allege Shane Gerald attempted to leave the scene the afternoon of Nov. 21, leading authorities on a chase that ended in the 100 block of Bullock Drive.

LOUISBURG -- North Carolina is expanding who can get Medicaid starting December 1, but folks can start applying before that date.
Adults ages 19 through 64 earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line -- singles earning about $20,000/year or families of three earning about $34,000/year -- may be eligible.
The best way to apply is online through ePASS; you can also apply in-person, by phone or mailed applications.