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YOUNGSVILLE -- Authorities arrested a Franklinton man following a high-speed chase that resulted in one officer being sent to the hospital and another wrecking his cruiser.
Christopher Lee Burroughs, 29, was charged with felony speeding to elude arrest, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, driving with a revoked license, failing to stop for a red light, failure to stop at a stop sign, possession of drug paraphernalia and not having insurance.

LOUISBURG -- County Manager Angela Harris presented commissioners Monday night with a budget that would raise taxes by 12 cents per $100 of valuation.
Already, officials have scheduled two work sessions to tweak the county's 2015-16 spending plan.
"Gentlemen," Commission Chair Sidney Dunston said following the presentation, "we've got some work in front of us."

LOUISBURG -- Planning and tax office staff were expected to be back in their old haunts by week's end after a manic effort to remove mold and rebuild their county office.
County staff closed the building on May 5 after an air quality test revealed health concerning levels of mold.
Commissioners held a special-called session on May 11 to discuss the matter and after a first-hand look at the building's basement on May 13, the governing board voted 5-1 to let Builder Services remediate and renovate the building on Nash Street.

FIGHT RENEWED. Franklin Countians united against the scourge of cancer converged on Bunn High School's campus last Friday night for the annual Relay for Life that raises money to fight cancer -- and showcase positive attitudes and winning efforts. In the above photo, Franklinton Elementary School teachers Tasha Hatten, Captain America, and Pamela Diez, Wonder Woman, help pump up attitudes.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council breezed through a routine agenda Monday night, taking only two votes although one of those could have a far-reaching impact on the town and its electricity customers.
The council voted unanimously to approve the pending transaction between Duke Energy Progress and ElectriCities.
The contract, if approved by all 32 ElectriCities members, will allow the sale of electricity generating assets owned by ElectriCities to Duke Progress.

LOUISBURG -- An organization that aids victims of domestic violence is expanding both its scope and reach.
Safe Space Inc. is using a grant from the Centers for Disease Control to install a Rape Prevention and Education Program, headed up by Rape Prevention Coordinator Renale Giles.
"Safe Space focuses on domestic violence and sexual assault for folks who are already victims," Giles said. "[Through the program], the idea is to focus on prevention before it happens," she said.

Bunn resident Chuck Mann

Years ago, when I first arrived in Louisburg and joined the Rotary Club, I met a guy who used his skill in calligraphy to do little signs saying: Think globally, act locally." (I still have one!)
The late George Willard was a retired educator and true gentleman who influenced countless lives -- and although his signs were aimed at recycling before recycling was cool, he'd be pleased with two examples of "acting locally" that have been in the news lately.

The proposed sale of Franklin County's hospital has opened up a Pandora's Box of complex issues -- but our local political leadership is showing signs of waking up, shaking off the coma that its been in for years and responding, albeit weakly, to some of the challenges.
As you know, the hospital's owner, Novant Health, announced that the hospital is for sale -- and that should surprise no one. It has been in a tailspin for months although, notably, not for the quality of care that patients have been receiving.

This isn't a metaphor, but I guess it is, kind of.
I was sitting in a recent government meeting when the topic switched to the budget.
As folks dusted off calculators from last year and began talking about tax rates, possible hikes, manpower needs and other resources, I noticed a fly, dangling by its bottom feet and torso, trapped in a spider's web.

Have you ever been hungry, homeless, or sitting in the dark because you could not afford to pay your electric bill?
Had to wash a baby with bottled water, because you did not have the money to pay your water bill?
About two weeks ago, someone shared a story with me about a woman with small children living in Franklin Country that was told if she did not pay a $170 water bill, the town she lives in was going to turn her water off. I did a little checking and found the story was true.

Last week it was announced that Duke Energy pled guilty to nine felonies and was fined $102 million.
That is a lot of money, but let's put it in perspective.
Duke Energy had a profit of over $2.7 billion in 2013. The fine amounts to about 3.7 percent of that.
If you are a hard working Franklin County resident making $40,000 a year, do you think you could plead guilty to nine felony counts and walk away with a fine of $1,480 and no jail time?

Dear editor:
May 17-23 is Emergency Medical Services Appreciation Week and there are only a few days left to show your appreciation for the volunteers of the area Rescue Services and EMS. Some of these volunteers may be members of your family or your neighbor, people willing to donate their time to come to the aid of the citizens of the community during an emergency situation.

Dear editor:
The old adage, Give one enough rope and he'll hang himself," was never truer than when Larry Marciniak wrote: "Before you decide whether to make a decision {to vote} based on something you hear or read consider the source of that information."

VIRGILINA, VA --Richard Otha Vaughan of Virgilina, Va. died Monday, May 18, 2015 at the age of 53. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 21, at 11 a.m. at North Fork Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Virgilina Cemetery.

GREENSBORO - Before her final attempt in the triple jump, it finally hit Tainasha Vines that her storied three-sport prep career was just a short sprint down the runway -- and a tall leap into the sand -- from being completed.
Vines, Bunn High School's senior standout, made the most of the moment as she won the Girls Triple Jump at the annual Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships.

GREENSBORO -- It's the aspiration of any great athlete to go out in style -- and that's exactly what Louisburg High School senior Vanisha Wilshire did at last Friday's Class 1-A State Track and Field Championships.
Wilshire added to her title list and cemented her status as one of LHS all-time great athletes by picking up victories in the Long Jump and Triple Jump at the annual event at Aggie Stadium on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.

BUNN -- When the Bunn Wildcats lost the coin flip for the top seed out of the Northern Carolina Conference for the Class 2-A State Baseball Playoffs, little did they now the dangerous territory they were about to enter.
That's because Bunn, as the No. 9 seed, was destined to host Jordan-Matthews in last Wednesday's opening round at the BHS Baseball Complex.

FRANKLINTON -- From an athletics standpoint, Franklinton's current senior class is destined to be one of the most talented in school history -- at least when it comes to earning college scholarships.
That season-long trend continued last Thursday as three more Red Rams finalized their next-level plans during a signing ceremony at the FHS Media Center.

WILLIAMSTON -- A strong season came to a close last Friday for the Louisburg Lady Warriors in the second round of the Class 1-A State Softball Playoffs.
Louisburg tangled with a touted Riverside Martin squad and was defeated by a margin of 11-0 on the road.
LHS came up with just one hit -- a single by Sydney Parrish.

BUNN -- With the legendary Ashley Driver in attendance, it was only fitting that Bunn continued its deepest run in the Class 2-A State Playoffs since Driver led the Ladycats to a third-place finish in 2007.
That surge was fueled by plenty of mound heroics from Driver, who went on to play at North Carolina Wesleyan College.
Bunn's Erica Davis is following in Driver's dominant footsteps as she has rolled through a trio of postseason foes without even allowing a single run.

FRANKLINTON -- With two obstacles already cleared, Franklinton will now encounter what might be its toughest potential hurdle of the Class 2-A Girls Soccer Playoffs.
Franklinton has registered a pair of victories to open postseason play, including a road stunner last Saturday against the homstanding Eastern Randolph Wildcats.

BUNN -- Erica Davis' pitching and some timely hitting proved to be an effective combination for the Bunn Ladycats during the early portion of the Class 2-A State Softball Playoffs.
Davis was dominant during Bunn's victories last week, including a no-hitter versus Bertie in the opening round last Wednesday as part of a 14-0 decision.

LOUISBURG -- Timyra Staton's work ethic and relentless perseverance helped work her way into the heart of Louisburg College women's basketball coach Shay Hayes -- and also into the Lady Hurricanes' starting lineup this past season.
After two seasons at Louisburg, Staton has signed a letter-of-intent to continue her career at North Carolina Wesleyan College.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College will host the 2015 Canes Summer Softball Camp from June 15-17 at Sheilah R. Cotten Field on the LC campus.
The three-day camp will encompass the entire sport of softball. LC head coach Hope Creasy will oversee the event.
Cost is $225 per camper, which includes T-shirt and lunch.

Franklinton High School's Justus Sapp signs a letter-of-intent to continue his football career at Louisburg College. Also pictured are (back, l to r) FHS Football Coach/Athletic Director Jeremy Buck and Arnetta Jones (grandmother); (front, right) Lisa Crudup (mother).

Franklinton High School's Kaitlyn Branam signs a letter-of-intent to continue her volleyball career at East Carolina University. Also pictured are (back, l to r) former FHS spike coach and current club coach Caitlin Withers, FHS Athletic Director Jeremy Buck, Charlie Timberlake (father) and FHS assistant volleyball coach Lisa Davis; (front, right) Julie Timberlake (mother).

Franklinton High School's Kayla Wetherell signs a letter-of-intent to continue her track and field career at UNC-Greensboro. Also pictured are (back, l to r) FHS Athletic Director Jeremy Buck, FHS track and field coach Clennie Wilkins, FHS assistant coach Ben Snelling and FHS assistant coach Brittini Pittman; (front, l to r) Sarah Wetherell (sister) and Laura Wetherell (mother).

ZEBULON -- Pin-Chieh Chen's two-run home run in the eighth proved to be the difference as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans finished a three game sweep of the Carolina Mudcats with a 6-5 victory at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Connor Oliver hit two triples and drove in two for the Mudcats in the loss.
The Pelicans (23-12) swept the series three games to none and increased their lead to three-and-one-half games over the Mudcats (19-15) in the Southern Division, Carolina League standings.

TITLE TIME FOR THE BULLDOGS. The Bunn Middle School Bulldogs pose after their recent victory in the championship matchup of the Middle Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament on the BMS campus. This was the final career game at BMS for Coach Robert Dale Pendleton, who will be moving to Kentucky with is family. For a story on the contest, see next week's edition of The Franklin Times.

The Franklin Wake Soccer Club 11-Under Girls Fury Soccer Team claimed the First Division Championship at the recent Queen of the Hill Tournament, which was held in Boone. The Fury squad is ranked 27th in the state among all U-11 Teams and is currently the top-ranked challenge club in the state. During the fall and spring campaigns, the Fury went 30-3-3 and won five of six tournaments. The FWSC is the travel side of the Youngsville Area Kids Soccer League.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University's baseball tea, clawed back from a four-run deficit to tie No. 2 Louisville in the eighth on Bubby Riley's RBI single, but a three-run ninth helped the Cardinals escape with an 8-5 victory last Saturday at Doak Field at Dail Park.

Franklinton's Kayla Wetherell (right) closed out her sterling career by competing in the Girls 3200 Relay at the Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships.

Franklinton's Antoine Perry was the winner in the Wheelchair Boys 400 at the Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships, which were held last Saturday in Greensboro.

Franklinton's Girls 800 Relay of (l to r) Patricia Judkins, Shaniece Jones-Thames, Lia Harris and Ashley Bumpers finished in third place at the Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships last Saturday afternoon in Greensboro.

Franklinton's Rondez Taylor competes in the Boys Long Jump at the Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships.

Louisburg High School's Breasia Williams delivers a shot put attempt during last Friday's action at the Class 1-A State Track and Field Championships in Greensboro.

Bunn's Nick Williams (left) prepares to tag out a Jordan-Matthews baserunner during last Wednesday evening's matchup in the Class 2-A State Baseball Playoffs.

The Franklin County Arts Council is inviting the public to an afternoon tea with featured artist Jackie Dove-Miller from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, May 30 at the FCAC Gallery, 22 S. Main Street, Franklinton. Dove-Miller will be exhibiting her photography and reading from her latest book of poems, "Change and Possibilities." Iced tea and cookies will be served. Dove-Miller is a retired English teacher, a poet, playwright, workshop facilitator and amateur photographer.

Franklin County 4-H has announced 20 new and exciting summer programs for 2015.
Some of the same programs as before are back since they are so popular, but in addition to some of the old ones we have added some new science and technology camps and some physical fitness camps.
There will be an open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, to sign your youth up for the upcoming Sizzling Summer Sessions.

Shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, three McKinne brothers moved to Louisburg from Johnston County. Here they developed a thriving business and made significant contributions to the development of the town.
Frank B. McKinne placed a large ad in The Franklin Times on January 13, 1905, announcing his new livestock sales stables. "Bad weather and low-price cotton have prevented me from opening as early as first announced, but I am coming sure," he said.

Matthew Medlin of Youngsville has been awarded the $1,000 Wes and Betsy Ives Memorial Scholarship by the North Carolina National Guard Association's Educational Foundation.
Medlin, who has excelled academically and participated in various community and school activities, will be attending Appalachian State University in the fall.

The Concert and Symphonic Bands at Louisburg High School will present their capstone performance of the year, the Spring Concert, on Friday, May 22. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium on Allen Lane.
This year's concert is special to veteran band director Brian D. Miller because it is his 20th annual Spring Concert. Miller came to Louisburg for the 1995-1996 school year straight out of the University of North Carolina and has been in our community now for two decades.

Vance-Granville Community College's Science Camp for local middle school students, previously held only at the college's Main Campus, will expand this year to the Franklin County Campus.
This Science Camp will be held Aug. 3-7, at the campus on N.C. 56 just west of Louisburg. Rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, from not only Franklin, but also Granville, Vance and Warren counties. are invited the week-long camp, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The 2015 Alston-Pleasants Scholarship for undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been awarded to Steven Weatherspoon of Franklin County.
Steven, son of Michael and Michelle Weatherspoon, is a resident of Zebulon and a senior at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, where he serves as a residential life assistant.

ROCKY FORD -- A Henderson man was electrocuted May 14 after stepping on a power line following a single-vehicle wreck.
Trooper B.E. Pulliam said Johnathan Wilson, 25, was driving a work truck south on Walter Grissom Road just past Wiley Hawkins Road when he ran off the road to the left and hit a utility pole, snapping it in half, causing the lines to fall to the ground.

The Franklin County Democratic Party elected officers at their recent County Convention. From left are, Treasurer Shelley Dickerson, Secretary Stephanie Goslen, Second Vice Chair Armenta Eaton, First Vice Chair Alton Richardson and Chair Jenny Edwards. Not pictured is Third Vice Chair Marque Debnam.

LOUISBURG -- Youngsville resident Joe Sutton, a retail marketing and merchandising manager for Southern States, qualified as a FeedMaster Certified Feed Specialist® during a recent training session.
The rigorous training program is tied to the Southern States' FeedMaster program and is designed to augment the existing knowledge base of employees involved in advising the co-op's customers on issues related to feeding various types of animals.

The first Miss Franklin County Scholarship Pageant was held this past Saturday, May 16. Winners, from left, bottom, Natalie Baines, Tiny Miss Franklin County, Kyleigh Wood Baby Miss Franklin County; middle (purple) Macy Strickland, Sweetheart Princess of Franklin County; Alivia Hurteau, Little Miss Franklin County; Randi Arrington, Mini Miss Franklin County; back, Lauren Turner, Miss Franklin County; Kelsie Buffaloe, Teen Miss Franklin County; Taylor Skinner, Junior Miss Franklin County.

FRANKLINTON -- Commissioners have scheduled a work session next month to continue efforts at tweaking a budget that might require an 11 cents per $100 tax increase.
Commissioners met during a work session on May 12, essentially trimming the gap between expenditures and revenues by about $50,000.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Staff told commissioners they are still exploring plans to renovate or replace Town Hall, but it's too early for recommendations.
During the board's April meeting, Town Administrator Bill Tatum advised that there were roof and other issues with Town Hall and the adjacent police department building.

Tyres Miles, Tony Jameil Branch and Mr. Pendergraft are dressed in their superhero costumes.

Barbara Alston and Sandra Alston

Melissa Barr helps her mother, JoAnn Gupton, around the track.

Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll of Youngsville performs during the Relay for Life cancer survivor dinner.

Bushels & Blooms opened in mid-April at 1314 Sykes Road, Spring Hope. They are located in Franklin County in the Seven Paths community. They sell produce, home-made canned goods, vegetable and bedding plants, hog and chicken feed, pork products and more. Owner Ken Bartholomew (center) says their store will be selling beef products soon. Also pictured are (l to r) Katie Bartholomew, daughter and Charlotte Bartholomew, wife. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday.