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LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education officially adopted its budget resolution for the 2023-24 school year Monday night after several months of waiting on final figures from the state that have a direct impact on funding at the district level.
And no sooner than they adopted this current year's budget they switched focus and began evaluating priorities for next year's budget.

Layla Stoudemire has a nice hold on her "chicken" while aboard the Franklin County Sharpshooters float. The float earned the Alert Parade's award for best float entry.

Leon and Michele Duncan filled in for Santa and Mrs. Claus last Thursday night during Franklinton's Christmas parade.

LAKE ROYALE -- With some conditions, Franklin County commissioners consented to a transfer of water service at Lake Royale.
Red Bird Utility Operating Company LLC's acquisition of the service from Louisiana-based Total Environment Solutions Inc. ultimately has to be approved by the State Utilities Commission -- which is currently reviewing the matter.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has agreed to hire a full-time county attorney.
The decision came following a closed session on Dec. 4.
And, it comes 15 years after county commissioners considered a full-time attorney, but relented because of the cost.

LOUISBURG -- The filing period continues through Friday, but already, local and state races loom.
County Commission District seats 1, 3, 5 and 7 are up for election on the Board of Commissioners and, so far, Ryan Williams and Logan Davis have filed for the Democratic and Republican party nominations, respectively, for District 1.

Alert parade participant Sonny Merrill

As if the arrival of Santa Claus and a number of local parades wasn't enough, it seems Mother Nature decided to give us a little jolt on Sunday, reminding us all that winter is indeed on the way.
Fortunately, this first little taste came in liquid form and didn't need to be shoveled at all -- but the front that brought some much-needed rain did drop the temperatures back to more normal for this time of the year.

So, without much fanfare last month, I reached a milestone: I turned the Big Five Oh.
And, it appears the age-old joke, or the new-age meme are true: Once you hit a certain number on the Old-Ometer, the check-engine light comes on.
And, full disclosure and, probably, TMI, it came on for me in, started blinking and flashing red.
Going back to the summer, I had what I can only diagnose as an experience with heat exhaustion.

Dear editor: People need to understand these games are for the student athletes, cheerleaders, mascots, all students that assist teams, coaches, proud parents and student body to shine, win or lose, against their rivals!
College scouts attend these games to see if athletes may fit into their college program.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Alice Lawrence Brooks of Franklinton age 76, died December 6, 2023.

LOUISBURG, NC--Clara "Yvonne" Dement, 83 of Louisburg, died Friday, December 8, 2023 at Kitty Askins in Goldsboro, NC.

LOUISBURG, NC--Harold David Kegley of Louisburg died Wednesday, December 6, 2023. No arrangements are scheduled at this time.

FRANKLINTON -- Realistically, Franklinton's girls basketball program was way ahead of its window of opportunity with its current group last season.
With a lineup dominated by underclassmen, the Lady Rams exceeded expectations by going 20-7 -- with four of those losses coming against eventual state finalist Rocky Mount.
Most observers close to the Lady Rams thought this would be the year that they would peak -- and that's proven to be correct so far.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Plenty of storylines are available for the 2023-24 high school wrestling season in Franklin County.
At Bunn, interest in the mat program continues to explode as the Wildcats took to reach the Class 2-A State Finals for the third consecutive victory -- and maybe even come away with a championship.

CREEDMOOR -- Regardless of the talent level, Bunn High School's boys basketball team has been well-coached for the past 50 years. The list of coaches who have gone through the BHS doors includes the likes of legends such as Lin Green, Scott McInnes and Gerald Melton. And it continues these days with Patrick Reynell.
However, Reynell's has not had the elite skill performers that some of the other skippers have enjoyed -- but that might be changing.

CREEDMOOR -- It's an understatement to say that Matt Keith is undergoing a serious, from-the-ground-up rebuilding project this season as he begins his second tenure as the Bunn MHigh School girls basketball coach.
Keith enjoyed the life of a frontrunner during his first time around at BHS as he oversaw a program that was a consistent contender for the championship of the now-defunct Northern Carolina Conference -- and the Ladycats were also a threat to make some annual noise in the Class 2-A State Playoffs.

BUNN -- Bunn's girls will return to defend their championships at the annual Bunn High School Holiday Basketball Tournament.
The three-day event will be held from December 27-29 at the historic Bunn Dome in Franklin County.
Northern Nash's girls will also be back for the tourney, but the NN boys -- several-time champions -- will not participate this time around.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats have announced all nine souvenir giveaway items for the upcoming 2024 season at Five County Stadium.
The new souvenir giveaway schedule, spread across nine Souvenir Saturday dates, is highlighted by five jerseys, a duffel bag and wearable items including a hoodie, button-up shirt and a hat.

Katie Warren gets a good view of Franklinton's parade last Thursday night.

Town of Franklinton Events Coordinator and jack of many trades Destiny Russell throws out candy at the end of the parade.

From atop a fire truck, these folks had a fine view in Alert.

Louisburg Lions Club members Sonny Merrill, Sheri Merrill and Dwayne Turner enjoy Alert.

Grinch Matt Perry, Lillian Perry, Marshall Perry, and Erin Perry in Alert.

The Gatekeeper/Steven Hayes Construction float was festive.

Franklinton Parade Grand Marshal Anita Mann-Fuller

A student from each Franklin County School was honored Monday night for living the character trait "Gratitude" during November.
Each student received a certificate and a bag of candy, presented by Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler and Board Chair Dr. Elizabeth Keith.

LOUISBURG -- A second person has died following a three-vehicle crash last week, but the identity of the at-fault driver remains a mystery.
Pamela Hayes, 73, died on Dec. 8 -- more than a week after she and a passenger, Emily Hodges, were hit head-on while driving along U.S. 401 on Nov. 29. Hodges was pronounced dead on the day of the wreck.

Oldcastle Lawn and Garden in Louisburg held a toy drive during the month of November. Employees brought in toys, and in turn donated them to the Franklin County Department of Social Services just in time for Christmas. Susan Weathers (pictured in front), with Franklin County Social Services, happily accepted the donations. Leadership for the toy drive came from Oldcastle site manager Luca Sundas, pictured to the right of Weathers.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County authorities continue to investigate a fight that canceled a varsity basketball game.
According to Franklin County Sheriff's Office staff, about five or six people -- not believed to be students -- started fighting in the lobby of Louisburg College's Roger G. Taylor Athletic Center after the Louisburg High/Franklinton High junior varsity basketball game, but before the varsity contest tipped off on Dec. 8.