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LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $131 million budget on Monday, but not before questioning whether or not to give themselves a raise.
The conversation and decision came two weeks after the board voted to cut their meeting workload in half.
Included in the county's $131,453,061 budget was an action to increase commissioner pay.

LOUISBURG -- Following a quiet budget season and a closed session, Franklin County commissioners selected Ryan Preble as its county manager.
Preble was hired as an assistant county manager in January 2023, serving in that role until this past November, when the board tabbed him as interim county manager -- replacing Kim Denton.

MATRICULATING TIME. Above, Louisburg Magnet High School seniors kicked off three-days of graduation festivities in Franklin County on June 11. About 150 students crossed the stage on the school's football field to receive their diplomas. Their celebration concluded with a tossing of caps to cap off the evening before rains hit.

LOUISBURG -- Prosecutors dropped the charges against a Lake Royale man who was accused of threatening state's witnesses in a Bunn youth league embezzlement case.
However, Richard Murray's brother, Jamie Earl Murray, is still facing charges that he stole more than $4,000 from the Bunn Youth Sports League.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies, in October 2023, arrested Jamie Earl Murray, who was president of the Bunn Youth Sports League at the time.

Previous articles in this series have related only a passing mention of personnel. This article will discuss the importance, history, and timeline of the Fire Chief of the Louisburg Fire Department.
The fire chief is the highest-ranking officer in a fire department, responsible for the management and operations of the department. The chief ensures the safety and well-being of the community by protecting the citizens and their property from loss of life and/or property.

Blayden and Jeremy Neal

Independence Day -- the Fourth of July -- is just a couple of weeks away and some of the celebrations will begin even before that!
Don't look now, but somehow nearly a half of the "new" year of 2025 has passed us by and before long we'll be talking about Turkey Day and then Christmas.
Hardly seems possible.
But keep a close eye on the next couple of editions of this newspaper and we'll do our best to keep you up-to-date with the July 4th events, especially everyone's favorite -- fireworks!

It is not with pride that I type this next sentence, but it's truth: After about 20 years of covering high school graduations, it's fair to say that I often shift my mind to autopilot when it's time for salutatorian or valedictorian speeches.
Like I said, don't come for me. It's my truth.
Without a whole lot of fail, it was generally a given that there would be a Dr. Seuss quote.

Dear editor: I recently observed a very large banner being displayed from the back of a pickup truck proclaiming, "We have taken back our country" with Mr. Trump's name prominently displayed. I wondered if the person displaying this flag has been paying attention to what is happening now.
For years, I read letters to this paper about the "Biden Crime Family."

Dear editor: There is a partisan effort in Franklin County to remove books from our libraries.
Book banning is an act of censorship that fundamentally undermines the principles of intellectual freedom and the right to access a diversity of ideas.
Libraries -- both in our schools and in the public sphere -- are essential spaces where people of all ages can explore literature, history, and culture from multiple perspectives.

Alicia Suarez Butler Eller, resident of Louisburg, North Carolina since 1963, passed away peacefully at Franklin Oaks Nursing Home in the early morning of May 26, 2025. A loving and much loved wife and mother, she will long be remembered as a teacher, dancer, musician (guitar and accordion), and vocalist. She had a special talent for teaching and over the years touched the lives of two generations of Franklin County youth through her Spanish classes, Franklin County Arts Council grants, and children's choir (Joyful Singers) at Louisburg Methodist Church.

MIAMI, Fla. -- Judy M. Oakes of Miami, Fla., passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 11, following a period of declining health.

Above, County Commissioner Harry Foy, an annual staple at the fun day event, serves Gary Foster some watermelon to help keep cool on the day.

Above, Brenda McNeill and Gail Allen take turns tossing a bean bag during a game of cornhole set up at the annual Senior Spring Day.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton High School's salutatorian and valedictorian urged their fellow students to find their voice and make sure everyone has a place in this world.
With a hint of theater and a bit of a ballad, Leah Williams and Ben Toler took to the stage on June 13 to deliver addresses to the 260-plus graduates that made up Franklinton High's class of 2025.

LOUISBURG -- Leaders at Louisburg Magnet High School urged fellow students to play an active role in their communities.
And, they said doing the impossible is the goal.
Salutatorian Victor Gutierrez-Rayo and Suri Cortez Rodriguez delivered those messages to about 150 graduates at Louisburg High on June 11.
"... Remember this:" said Gutierrez-Rayo, a first generation Mexican America, "What you're not changing, you're doing," he said.

BUNN -- Moments. Memories.
Those were the two things that Bunn High School's student leaders told more than 200 graduates to hold onto during commencement exercises for the class of 2025 on June 12.

CULLOWHEE, NC -- Western Carolina University recognized more than 1,600 students named to the spring 2025 dean's list.
To qualify for this honor, students must achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The following local students made the list:

Salutatorian Victor Gutierrez-Rayo collects the $1 from teacher Michael Ranes, his 'payment' for committing to UNC.

Joselyn Parra-Guzman was all smiles walking across the stage inside the Bunn Dome to grab her diploma.

Above, Jazlynn Hooker makes her way across the stage. Above, Avery Costa was front and center as the class of 2025 matriculated on June 12 inside the Bunn Dome.

Samantha Acevedo waves while leading students into the Franklinton High gym for graduation.

Above, Dareyon Jackson, center, joined the more than 260 Franklinton High School students who received their diplomas during the June 13 graduation ceremony inside the school's gymnasium. They actually got their diplomas in the library following the ceremony. The class of 2025 marks the school's 100th graduating class.

Graduate Jillian Rose was all smiles while taking a graduation photo during commencement.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Operators of Wake Preparatory Academy are hoping to use a $135 million bond project to take ownership of the southwestern Franklin County charter school's building.
The Industrial Development Authority of Sierra Vista, Arizona would issue the Education Facility Revenue Bonds, the proceeds of which would go to Wake Prep Holdings LLC -- a limited liability corporation for which the academy is the sole member.

Franklin County Democratic Women recently put together cleaning supplies and personal kits for Safe Space domestic violence shelter. Safe Space is a non-profit organization that is committed to reducing relationship violence and sexual assault. It is a refuge for victims of violence in Franklin County and nearby communities.

Chaney Rae Leonard and Ava Proctor, members of the Eagles in Flight Franklin County 4-H Club, traveled to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival the first weekend of May, where they were each awarded a heritage breed sheep through the Youth Conservationist Program.
Chaney included this information on the importance on heritage breed sheep in her YCP application "Heritage breeds of livestock protect our food and fiber systems, both now and in the future.