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Rosenell Lewis Van Deusen, 89, died Wednesday, December 1, 2021. She was born on February 15, 1932, in McColl, South Carolina. Rosenell served in the Women's Air Force (WAF) from 1956-57, where she met and married the love of her life, Leo Joseph Van Deusen, I. They were married 53 years at the time of Leo's death in 2011. After the Air Force, Rosenell worked at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center as a Medical Records Clerk. In 1969, she graduated from Worth Business College with a degree in Secretarial Science. Later, Rosenell graduated from Vance-Granville Community College with an Associate in Nursing. She worked as an LPN at Dorothea Dix Hospital, North Carolina Department of Corrections Women's Prison and Central Prison, all in Raleigh, North Carolina.

FRANKLINTON, NC--John Boyce Manning, 63, of Franklinton, died November 27, 2021. He was born on July 10, 1958, in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Patria Gurganus and Charles Muriel Manning Jr. . In addition to his parents , John was predeceased by, Scarlett Bailey Manning, the mother of his children.

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY--Funeral services for Willie Mae Kenon, age 91, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021 will be held 12 noon, Monday, December 13, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell Church Cemetery.

Francis Clifton "F.C." Winston, Jr., 77, of Wake Forest, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Franklin County to the late Francis Clifton Winston, Sr. and Catherine Wade Winston.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Martha Nichols, age 94, who died on Thursday, December 2, 2021, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, December 11, at from the Richardson. Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will be at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in New York.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Anna Davis Manning, age 80, who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021, were 2 p.m., Sunday, December 12, from the Rocky Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Nolan Davis officiating. Burial followed in the Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Matthew Daniel Ruffin, age 35, who died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, will be at 12 p.m., Thursday, December 9, from the Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount with Pastor James D. Galliard officiating. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Church Cemetery.

Doralene Wester Matthews, 88, passed away November 30, 2021 in Vero Beach, Fl. She was born in Louisburg, December 8, 1932 to the late Authur and Magdalene Duke Wester and was the widow of William Kay Matthews.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A Franklin County man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Thanksgiving.
According to the State Highway Patrol, Wesley Dwayne Ferrell was traveling west on N.C. 96 when the Honda Accord he was driving crossed the center line, ran off the road to the left and hit multiple trees.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklin County will begin its Christmas festivities in earnest this week, starting on Thursday night.
• The town of Franklinton will host its annual Christmas parade the evening of Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., in downtown Franklinton.
It is the areas's only nighttime parade. The town held its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 26. The tree was placed in the courtyard of Franklinton Middle School.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing to gauge the public's interest in financing up to $20 million to improve the county's emergency radio system.
During a May 17 meeting, commissioners approved a $395,000 agreement with Liberty, Mo.-based TUSA Consulting to develop and issue request for proposals to oversee implementation of an enhanced emergency communications system -- a 700/800 MHz digital simulcast trunked radio network capable of meeting current and future needs, reliably and functionally, county staff have said.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Filing for the spring primary, which will either decide or shape races into the fall 2022 general election, starts on Dec. 6.
The elections will test new district maps, lead to a new sheriff, as well as new Congressional representation for Franklin County and the region.
In November, Franklin County commissioners approved redistricting maps that will guide elections for the next decade.

Jennifer and Adam Spinelli, third from left and eighth from left, respectively, donated items to the Youngsville Police Department, which was hosting a Toys for Tots Fill-a-Cruiser drive on Nov. 20. They got assistance from, from left, Santa (Peter Birkner), Sergeant Steinbrunner, Mandalorian cosplayer Don Stamegna, Mayor Fonzie Flowers, Staff Sergeant Houston, Captain Lemons, and Mandalorian cosplayer Troy Treakle.

FRANKLINTON -- During the last meeting before a change in the board and as 2021 comes to a close, staff provided a sort of State of Franklinton presentation to the board.
The town's Public Works department has retired some outdated equipment, Parks and Recreation has brought in some new activities and the town's governing board has set policies that have borne fruit.

LOUISBURG -- Police are looking for suspects in a sweepstakes robbery.
According to authorities, three suspects brandishing weapons entered the Happy Sweepstakes in Franklin Plaza at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
They demanded money from the business attendant and left on foot, according to authorities.

Ian and Brent Walston

Paige Sayles and John Allers, with the Franklin County Boys & Girls Club, prepare barbecue plates during their Nov. 15 fundraiser.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are investigating a series of thefts from vehicles.
On Nov. 25, a handful of thefts from motor vehicles and vehicle break-ins were reported in the Franklinton area.
The following incidents were reported:

Here's hoping you and your family had a wonderful and safe Turkey Day and are all primed for the upcoming Christmas holiday events.
Last year's holiday season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but, although the bug is still around and dangerous, a lot more activities will be happening this year, especially outdoors. Hopefully, this newest bug, Omicron, won't be a huge problem.
We'll keep you updated on the Christmas events this year -- and a story elsewhere in this edition details the days and times of the annual Christmas parades.

It's the week after Thanksgiving.
Black Friday is in the rear-view mirror.
So is Cyber Monday. And, Christmas is still weeks away.
But, that doesn't mean I can't give thanks for the things I appreciate, recognize the presents we've gotten, or begin to craft a wish list for the things I'd like.

BSA Troop 555 of Louisburg assisted the Halifax Resolves Chapter NC SAR with two grave marking ceremonies on October 16 in Youngsville and Louisburg. Certificates of appreciation were presented by Bill Riggan, Halifax Resolves NC SAR to scouts and leaders who helped with setting up the flags, sound system, passing out the programs and directing participates in placing wreaths. The troop also rendered honors to the patriots and compatriots being honored.

LOUISBURG -- Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Governor's Volunteer Service Award.
The awards program, created by the Office of the Governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers.
Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.