FRONT PAGE

LOUISBURG -- The State Department of Transportation is set to release its latest 10-year plan for road projects.
During the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Jan. 6 meeting, Gary Faulkner, a retired State Department of Transportation engineer, and member of the U.S. 401 Citizens Action Committee that pushed the first phase of U.S. 401 improvements, said he was troubled by conversations he had with DOT staff a month or so, ago about Section D of the roadway.

Mother Nature delivered Franklin County a small taste of winter of the last few days, a bit of snow and a light covering of ice, just enough to close and delay schools, close the county convenience centers and cause other inconveniences. Fortunately, neither the snow nor the ice were enough to cause major problems and warming temperatures quickly "cured" those woes.

If you have an interest in Franklin County Schools because you have a child or children enrolled or just because you're a taxpayer and want to learn more about how the schools operate, there is a special meeting slated for February that might be enlightening.
The schools are holding a "State of the District" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Franklinton High School to highlight progress with their strategic plan goals but also showcase students, staff and "the great work taking place in our schools as we prepare for life beyond the classroom," said Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education spent a long time debating a new cell phone policy for students during a routine meeting that also saw the district get a great audit report, save big money on a heating and air conditioning system and purchase nearly 1,200 computers for students.
Like school districts across the state, local school administrators and the board are wrestling with a policy on cell phones and other electronic communication devices but has yet to reach full agreement.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners bolstered their application to secure federal funds for a portion of the Youngsville bypass.
They also resolved to ask its state leaders to revert control of Main Street to the town -- giving it the authority to, among other things, restrict pass-thru truck traffic.
Taking control of Main Street/N.C. 96 from Five Points to N. Nassau Street -- a .3-mile stretch -- comes with the benefit of town control, but it does come at a cost, Town Manager Nathan Page told commissioners during the board's Jan. 9 meeting.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg will have an interim police chief on Feb. 1, will begin putting together a "white flag" shelter and took the first, preliminary steps toward creating a shuttle service thanks to actions taken by the town council Tuesday night.
Capt. Travis Lincoln, a veteran Louisburg police officer, was unanimously named interim chief following an executive session at the end of Tuesday's meeting.
Lincoln will replace retiring Chief of Police Jason Abbott whose last day will be Jan. 31.

The question most often asked by visitors to the Louisburg Fire, Police, and Rescue Departments' Museum is "when was the Louisburg Fire Department organized?"
Anecdotal evidence states that it was formed in the very late 1800s; however, the source of this information and date is unknown.
While doing research for the book, The Louisburg Fire Department: A History, evidence was found that clearly shows this information to be erroneous. However, the actual date was not found.

Newly sworn Louisburg Police Officer Robert Maxbauer III