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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County public utilities staff have been working to determine the cause of sewer spills that have garnered the attention of state water regulators.
According to records from the State Division of Water Quality (DWQ), Franklin County's system has been responsible for 23 spills totalling more than 477,000 gallons of sewage into tributaries in 2014.

Despite early predictions of an "ice storm" that was supposed to hit Franklin County and the region Tuesday night and early Wednesday, the event pretty much fizzled, at least in this area. With temperatures dipping just below 30 degrees and most of the rain seeming to miss Franklin County, all that was left was a very thin sheet of ice that mainly covered trees, shrubs and parked vehicles.

LOUISBURG -- After hearing a "yellow flag" warning about the Franklin County School District's financial trends during a committee meeting, the school board moved into regular session Monday night and quickly worked its way through a routine agenda.
During the Budget Committee meeting just prior to the regular school board session, the board was alerted that its "reliance on fund balance (savings) to balance the local budget is already high."

LOUISBURG -- Three months after slashing staff and resources, hospital leaders said the state of the hospital hasn't changed much.
And neither has its commitment to providing healthcare for the people of Franklin County, they say.
"... 2014 was a challenging year," Novant Franklin Medical Center President Jody Morris said during an address he made last week at a Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce function.

Bunn HS freshman wrestler James Geigel

A lot of us were happy to see that the Franklin County commissioners included U.S. 401 improvements on their "wish list" of things that need to get attention sooner rather than later.
That may not make much difference given the attitudes of the current regime in Raleigh but it does help keep that vital transportation asset on the front burner.

Ah, here we are just about two weeks into a new year and still filled with optimism about the good things that are yet to happen in 2015.
Of course, we're also realistic enough to know that the long, brutal recession that has dragged on more than six years isn't entirely over and that '15 may not be a whole lot better than '14, which didn't exactly set any positive benchmarks.

A new, scientific study proved what most runners know -- if you train hard enough, you'll be willing to eat anything.
Generally, it's called being rungry.
Well, according to a study in Utah, it's got some scientific merit.
Parents, educators and nutritionists, for years, have tried almost anything they could to get kids to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Main Street Americans have long been skeptical of the Saudis to varying degrees.
As they do with everything they don't understand, the Tea Party hates them; demonizing their religion.
Most Americans acknowledge our basic ignorance of Islam without transforming it into hate.
Many administrations, of both parties, have had a much warmer relationship with Saudi Arabia than the public at large, no doubt principally fueled by our thirst for oil.

What started as a story about security in Bunn High School, brought to me by parents, now has many chapters; each chapter equally important, and a story in, and of itself.
I have chosen to first speak to some of the pain and despair too many experience daily in our schools, bullying.
For most, this brings to mind children picking on one another, and yes, that is part of it. But does not even touch the surface of it all.

LOUISBURG - Eunice Pearce Horton, 91, died Friday night at Smithfield Manor. A funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home with Dr. James Horton officiating. Burial followed in the Ransdell Chapel Baptist Church cemetery.

CLARKSVILLE - Joseph "Joe" Hinton Tucker, Jr., 80, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Clarksville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Greg Randall and the Rev. Dr. Billy Seate officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends Friday from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, and at other times at his daughter and son-in-law's residence, Jane and Michael Lyon.

FRANKLINTON --Mattie Rodwell Alston, 95, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2015. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Cutchins Funeral Home in Franklinton, with Elder Claude Perry officiating. Interment followed in Creedmoor Memorial Gardens, Creedmoor.

CASTALIA - Sandra "Sandy" Elaine Costner Harris, 62, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at Franklin Oaks Nursing Center. Services will be private.

FRANKLINTON - Mildred "Sheryl" Atkinson Youngbar, 62, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg High School's football success last fall was built on a strong offensive line and an opportunistic defense.
Both of those points of emphasis were also noticed by LHS' league foes as the Warriors claimed two of the top postseason accolades in the Tar-Roanoke Athletic Conference.

LOUISBURG - Bunn High School's surging wrestling program was looking for some sturdy competition last Friday as part of a tri-match against Nash Central and homestanding Louisburg at the LHS Gymnasium.
But the Wildcats are much-improved under head coach Randy Kagarise as the program continues to build its way back up following a few subpar campaigns that featured the lack of a full lineup.

FRANKLINTON -- Rare are the occasions when a basketball team can go almost 10 minutes without scoring -- and still come away with a victory.
But that's what happened to the Franklinton Lady Rams during last Tuesday's home conquest against Northern Carolina Conference rival North Carolina School of Science and Math.

LOUISBURG -- Any volleyball opponent in the Tar-Roanoke Athletic Conference will be quick to point out that Wilshire Boulevard is their least-favorite street to travel on.
And for good reason -- Louisburg's Vanisha Wilshire has dominated the league since LHS joined the TRAC during the latest realignment in 2014.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton's overall record certainly isn't where the Red Rams would like it to be on the boys basketball hardwood.
But that doesn't mean Franklinton is unable to be a contender in the Northern Carolina Conference -- as evidenced by a pair of clutch victories last week.

DURHAM -- Bunn High School's undefeated girls basketball train traveled to Durham School of Arts last Friday -- and left town with yet another victory.
Bunn, coached by Matt Keith, improved to 14-0 overall following a convincing 57-23 triumph over the Lady Bulldogs at the historic DSA Gymnasium.

LOUISBURG -- Numbers are destined to play a huge role in Louisburg High School's wrestling success over the latter portion of the 2014-15 campaign.
And not just the numbers on the scoreboard.
LHS head coach Courtney Tart feels like his Warriors have the capability to compete against most Class 1-A clubs in the area -- as long as he is able to field a full lineup.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College hosted a men's-women's basketball doubleheader last Saturday, and the Hurricanes would prove to be successful on both counts.
The LC women improved to 9-2 overall by delivering a 70-55 victory over Brunswick Community College at Taylor Center on the LC campus.

WILSON -- The 2015 Brittany Soccer Showcase will feature 77 schools -- including two from Franklin County.
The annual event will take place on March 20 and 21 at Gillette Park in Wilson, and the field will boast some of the top girls soccer programs in the area and beyond.
Tickets will be available at the gate. All proceeds will go to the Brittany Willis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina University baseball fans will get their first chance to meet the 2015 Pirates up close and personal on Saturday, Jan. 31 as ECU will host "An Evening With The Pirates" at Harvey Hall inside the Murphy Center on the ECU campus.
The event, formerly known as Meet the Pirates, has been enhanced to an evening setting starting at approximately 6 p.m. and allows fans a chance to get autographs and photos of the players and first-year head coach Cliff Godwin.

Despite battling foul trouble, Romeo Debnam offered a strong performance for the Franklinton Red Rams during last Friday's home victory against the Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets in NCC basketball action.

Franklinton's Tanisha Wall delivers a late basket for the Lady Rams during their home triumph last Tuesday night versus NCSSM.

Louisburg's Reynaldo Carachure (right) takes control of this match against Nash Central.

Bunn's Duncan Younger (top) prepares to register a pin last Friday night versus Nash Central.

Lindsay Lee Gupton, daughter of the late Early Cope Gupton III, and Mathew West Gay, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lynn Gay of Walstonburg, are happy to announce their engagement. Lindsay is a first grade teacher and Matt is a farmer, both in Greene County. A destination wedding to Costa Rica is planned for March.

BUNN -- Town staff and officials are moving forward with plans to bring in the town's next chief of police.
Kent Winstead resigned the post at the end of November after unseating Jerry Jones to become the county's sheriff.
The board tabbed veteran Lt. Joe King as its interim chief, but the retired law enforcement officer has said he does not want the permanent gig.

LOUISBURG -- In an informal work session last Thursday evening, the Louisburg Town Council began what many members said may be the most important task of their terms in office, the selection of a new town administrator.
The action comes after current administrator Mark Warren announced his retirement plans last fall although he has agreed to stay on a part-time basis until the search for his successor is completed.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Residents will have three chances to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, Franklinton's MLK Committee will host an MLK celebration, inviting people to gather at the roundabout at Franklinton Elementary School at 10:15 a.m. before marching to First Baptist Church for a service beginning at 11 a.m.

Dr. Everett B. Ward, interim president of Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, will speak to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Louisburg College's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation slated for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Jones Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Ward, is an integral part of several national, regional and statewide boards to advance opportunities for citizens throughout the nation.

The Youngsville Woman's Club will host its 60th Arts Festival at the Youngsville Museum of History beginning Saturday, Jan, 17, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and again on Sunday, Jan. 18. from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The museum is located at 120 W. Franklin Street in Youngsville. Everyone is welcome to come view the art entries.
This year's festival will feature art entries from club members and Franklinton High School students. Youngsville Elementary School will have entries, as well as Cedar Creek Middle School.

AgCarolina staff broke ground on the site of their new office building, a location that will give them room to grow. They've been in their current site at 222 N. Bickett Boulevard for about 40 years. The space has been through renovations, the most recent of which was in the mid 1990s. With this week's groundbreaking, AgCarolina, the largest provider of credit to American agriculture -- a member-owned financial services cooperative -- expects to be in a newly built building north of their current site -- near Franklin Oaks -- by the end of June.