FRANKLIN—The identity of a helicopter that circled the sky above Franklin late Wednesday night remains a mystery.

Franklin City Police Deputy Chief Bruce Edwards said he was unaware of the flying bird. A spokesman with the Virginia State Police said he, too, was unaware of a call that included a helicopter.

However, a city police dispatcher told a caller Wednesday night that the helicopter was flying as part of a State Police training exercise. She said the helicopter was not searching for anyone and that citizens were not in danger.

The helicopter buzzed the city for about two hours between 10 p.m. and midnight, awaking many residents who had gone to bed early.

Anyone with information about the helicopter’s mission can e-mail the newspaper at editor@tidewaternews.com so we can share the news with our readers.