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LOUISBURG -- Youngsville got another ally as it tries to speed up construction of the Youngsville bypass.
Back in September, town staff revealed how support for a 350-acre subdivision could help facilitate the project as developers have pledged to build a portion of the bypass when development there warrants.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's mayor and a long-time community servant were presented with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for their community and volunteer service.
Isaac Jenkins, CEO and founder of Citizens for Community Action and Breaking the Chains Outreach Ministries and Lent C. Carr, National President and CEO of the National Congressional Voting Caucus for Human Rights presented the honor to Mayor Christopher Neal and resident Johnnie C. Clifton Sr. during the board's Jan. 9 meeting.

The primary pond at Owens Park in central Franklin County has been a popular gathering place the last few weeks after state staff stocked the pond. Above, a content fisherman enjoys the day.

LOUISBURG -- Authorities are looking for suspects in a shooting that critically injured a 74-year-old woman.
Louisburg police officers responded to the 100 block of Halifax Street just after 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday to find Mary Ann Hight suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was listed in critical condition at press time.

LOUISBURG -- The operator of a faith-based rehab home for drug addicts in Knightdale was back before county commissioners, asking for help.
There were two issues, though, said Commission Chair Michael Schriver:
• The public comments potion of the meeting is not the proper setting and;
• Brent Sellers has yet to present the county with an actionable request.

Franklinton student-athlete Dakota Privette

It's 2023!
That comes as no surprise to most of you but I'm still coming to grips with the change since it seemed to sneak up on me.
The reason for the surprise is that I -- very unexpectedly -- took off most of December due to a medical condition -- and still haven't climbed completely back into the "saddle."

The first thing I'll say is this: I've covered more than my fair share of government and community meetings during my nearly 25-year career in journalism and, I can probably count on two hands and two feet just how often an issue has generated significant and impactful public feedback, which is to say -- there generally aren't long lines of folks just itching to expose themselves to the public, officials and reporters by speaking at a public meeting.

LOUISBURG, NC--Jacquelyn Lee O'Neal Kimball, 92, of Louisburg, died peacefully in her home with her family by her side on Thursday, January 5, 2023. She was born on October 24, 1930 to the late F. Luther and Breattie Corbett O'Neal. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward F. Kimball.

BUNN -- Chris Lewis, Bunn High School's Athletic Director, doesn't mince words when talking about the all-around contributions of BHS senior multi-sport standout Carlee Tart -- a true all-around star on the playing field and in the classroom.
"Carlee is the quintessential student-athlete,'' Lewis said. "Her grades come first, but she also works very hard in her sports. It doesn't matter what she is doing -- she always wants to do her best. And she is a great teammate who is liked by everyone.''

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton High School's gymnasium has been a house of horrors in recent years for the Northern Nash boys basketball team -- even in games when the Fighting Knights were heavily favored.
Regardless of the circumstance, Northern always seems to have its collective hands full at Franklinton, which has sported either an upset or a near-miss when hosting the Knights lately.

WILSON -- Franklinton High School will make its annual appearance at The Brittany Girls Soccer Showcase on March 10 and 11 at Gillette Park in Wilson.
Unlike past seasons, the Lady Rams will play two matches -- March 10 at 5:30 p.m. versus Swansboro on Field Eight and March 11 at 4 p.m. against North Brunswick on Field Three.

FRANKLINTON -- Northern Nash quickly scored the first basket of the game -- and then forced a quick turnover, giving early hope to the Lady Knights that they might pull off a monumental upset at Franklinton last Friday night in Big East Conference girls basketball action.
But this didn't quite work out that way -- far from it, actually.

DURHAM -- The Durham Bulls will host Job Fairs on January 21 and January 28 to fill part-time game day positions for the 2023 season.
The fair is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on January 21 and from Noon until 4 p.m. on January 28 in the PNC Triangle Club at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The common cold is synonymous with times of year when temperatures dip. When people spend more time indoors, they're more vulnerable to contagious cold viruses. But the common cold is not the only health issue that presents itself most often when the mercury drops.
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as "SAD," affects millions of people every year. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that SAD is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern.

LOUISBURG -- Two men were killed in a Christmas Day, head-on collision.
According to a report by Trooper I.H. Alwadei, Christopher Antonio Perry was traveling west on Fuller Road -- east of U.S. 401 -- when the 2004 Buick he was driving crossed the center line just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 25.
His vehicle crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Rachel Brantley of Knightdale.

LOUISBURG -- The state has provided Franklin County with a grant to help reduce its infant mortality rate.
Over the next three years, the State Department of Health and Human Services is providing Franklin County's Health Department with a $631,914 grant to directly fund its efforts toward reducing infant mortality in the county.

FRANKLINTON -- Town officials, sitting as both a commission and a board of adjustment, have permitted a woodworking operation that its proprietor hopes will add to downtown.
First, the Board of Commissioner approved a text amendment to its Downtown Commercial Zoning District that would allow woodworking and woodworking showrooms as a special use.

SIGN OF THE TIMES. Louisburg police officers were investigating this wreck that injured one person during a Wednesday morning wreck at the First Citizens Bank along Bickett Boulevard. According to authorities, Carolyn Boyd, 79, of Raleigh and Orelia Alston, 71, of Louisburg were both heading south on Bickett Boulevard when Boyd attempted to make a lane change, forcing Alston's vehicle off the road.

LOUISBURG -- Maria Parham Franklin will hold a Job Fair on Thursday, January 19 from 4-7 p.m.
Representatives will be present from Maria Parham Human Resources and Maria Parham Franklin Behavioral Health, prepared to take applications and in some cases, make job offers on the spot. Job seekers can learn more about available positions at MariaParham.com/Careers.