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Dear editor:
I was not able to attend the commissioners' meeting on June 3, but I saw the proceedings online.
I saw teachers, staff members, parents, Dr. Schuhler and others speak with passion about the need for full funding of the school budget.
I was most moved by a mother who told of her daughter with multiple challenges.

Dear editor:
Every now and then you need to stand back and wonder, how in the wide world of sports did we get to this point?
The talking heads on the news networks get to work, go through wardrobe, go through hair and make-up, and then read from a teleprompter that is prepared by the network brass. I would bet a dollar to a doughnut these pundits cannot remember much of what they just read.

The Cherry Hill Concert Series will hold its annual Outstanding Young Artist concert on Saturday, June 8.
Dr. Daniel Steinert will accompany mezzo-soprano Joanna Burke for the 3 p.m. event. Burke will sing works by Mahler, Ravel, and Rossini.
Joanna Burke is a resident of Durham, where she studies under Dr. Brian Gill. She holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She has performed in numerous opera and operetta roles in the United States, Canada, and Italy.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member Jim Murphy, right, was recognized for his decade of service by Franklin County Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Brett Garrett during the board's May 16 meeting. Murphy received the appreciation award for his passion for parks and recreation, serving as both a member and chair.

RALEIGH -- American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Franklin Correctional Center, another step toward full accreditation of the North Carolina prison system.
Franklin Correctional is the 31st N.C. Department of Adult Correction location or operation recommended for accreditation.
Franklin Correctional, in Bunn, houses about 300 medium-custody offenders.

BUNN -- Safe to say that Sierra Santiago leaves Bunn High School as a true history maker.
Santiago became Bunn's first-ever rugby signee recently when she signed a letter-of-intent to join the program at Dartmouth College.
In the process, Santiago completed another rarity as no student-athlete in recent memory from Franklin County has inked a deal with an Ivy League school.
"It's definitely going to be a challenge, but I'm excited and ready to go,'' Santiago said.

FRANKLINTON -- There will be a new head football coach in the Big East Conference next season -- but he is certainly a familiar face.
Michael Justice has been tabbed as Franklinton High School's new gridiron skipper for the upcoming season.
Justice is no stranger to the Red Rams' football program -- he has served as an assistant coach for Franklinton for several years and has been a chief play-caller for the Red Rams.

LOUISBURG -- All young teams, regardless of sport, need a veteran leader -- and Richanti Jackson served in that role this season for the Louisburg Lady Warriors.
Jackson was one of the few upperclassmen on a Louisburg club that is dominated by young performers.
But from her point guard position, Jackson served as the glue for a foundation that has helped build the Lady Warriors back into a hoops powerhouse after a recent lull.

JC WITH THE THROW. The Louisburg Parks and Recreation Department recently wrapped up another successful T-Ball season with games being held at Joyner Park. In this photo, JC Wright of the Trash Pandas makes a lightning-quick throw to first base during a recent game. Happy Birthday JC!!!!!

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston RiverDogs scored a pair of runs in the last of the seventh inning and made that stand-up as they beat the Carolina Mudcats 3-1 in the series opener on Tuesday night Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Ballpark.
With the score tied at one and Charleston (22-29) batting in the seventh inning, the RiverDogs went to work.
With two out, Ricardo Gonzalez struck for a struck a line-drive single into centerfield to plate a pair of runners and give the RiverDogs the lead 3-1.

If you're as confused and frustrated trying to understand the current school funding fiasco as I am trying to explain it, let me summarize things in a few paragraphs -- then we can delve into the nitty-gritty details if you want more.

The bottom line is that Franklin County has plenty of money to fully fund the local school system -- but has been hiding behind a smokescreen while it shortchanges schools and students by about $3 million.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., -- Milton Gray Smith "Smitty," 66, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024. He was born on August 4, 1957, in Franklin County, North Carolina, the youngest son of the late James and Pattie Williams Smith.

Funeral Services For Jimmy Lee Hopkins, age 72 who died on Thursday, May 30, 2024 will be held 1 p.m., Saturday June 8, from the Cedar Rock Baptist Church in Castalia NC., Dr. Carl D. Wardrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG - Memorial services for Maggie "Pearl" McCargo Williams, 82, who died on Wednesday, May 29, will be held on Sunday, June 2, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Dr. Carl Wardrett officiating.

LOUISBURG -- Interested parties will have another chance, and quite possibly their last opportunity, to weigh in on the county's budget.
Franklin County Manager Kim Denton has recommended a $122 million budget that slightly raises the tax rate above revenue neutral, increases utility rates, adds 13 new full-time positions, adds 23 new vehicles to the county's fleet and allots $1.4 million to bolster employee pay.

Above, proud Dad Henry Alexander takes a selfie with his daughter, Alaija Alexander, following the May 23 graduation of 50 Franklin County Early College High School students.

Franklin County Early College High School grads turned their tassels, one of the last ceremonial elements of graduation.

LOUISBURG -- More than 100 Louisburg College students celebrated their graduation.
During the May 18 commencement, family, friends, faculty and staff watched 106 students receive their degrees inside the JPAC.
This year's ceremony included gifting of multiple medals and awards to faculty, staff, and students.

FRANKLINTON -- On Saturday, American Legion Post members and volunteers placed more than 700 flags on graves of veterans.
And, on Sunday, they held their annual Memorial Day celebration.
Both events honor the military dead. And, they serve as reminders to the living to never forget their sacrifices.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council all but finalized its 2024-25 fiscal year budget during a Tuesday evening meeting, although a projected $22 million challenge caused mostly by growth pressures has yet to be addressed.
The town's proposed general fund is balanced at $16,304,532 with about $4.8 million of that in the general fund.

FRANKLINTON -- Two residents with roots on S. Chavis Street urged town officials and staff to continue efforts to improve safety on that road.
In March, town commissioners agreed to petition the state to reduce the speed limit on S. Chavis Street from 35 mph to 25 mph.
The action was in response to concerns residents have expressed about the narrow, two-lane road off Mason Street/N.C. 56 since at least 2021.

Selma Hobson during the Mother's Day tea at the Franklinton Senior Center

ATTENDS CONFERENCE. Franklin County 4-H'er Meredith Potter had the privilege of attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. through a NC 4-H teen program called AIRE (Application, Interview, Resume, Essay). While in D.C., she got to meet with the Senate Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. She and other NC 4-H'ers were able to discuss how important rural agricultural and youth development is in our country.