Back
School system faces major cuts
Franklin County school board members sat in stunned silence Monday night as they learned that state budget cuts will have “devastating” effects on the district’s budget including the loss of perhaps 20 to 60 teachers and a host of other cutbacks that will affect virtually every student.
Doug Moore, assistant superintendent for business and finance, told the board that still-undefined state actions will include “devastating budget cuts” as the state tries to cope with a budget deficit that has topped $4 billion.
Moore cautioned the school board that he was not prepared “to toss out a number” about the total cutbacks the district will face. “I can’t,” he said simply, noting that state officials are still haggling over how to proceed.
Read More | Post Comment
Gary Cunard, Times Publisher - 7 opinions posted |
Ingram named interim super
A veteran educator was tapped by the Franklin County Board of Education Monday night to be interim school superintendent.
Dr. Eddie Ingram, who is currently the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the county schools, said he was “glad to be in a position to help the district” while the board searches for a permanent replacement for Dr. Bert L’Homme who is leaving at the end of June.
“I am really happy to do this,” Ingram said. “We have great people in the system and we will work hard to keep moving forward.
Read More | Post Comment
Gary Cunard, Times Publisher - 3 opinions posted |
“What I want is for you to not do anything that you don’t have money to pay for. Do what you can do without raising property taxes.” — Franklin County resident T.O. Anderson |
|
At our expense
The county’s proposed $75.8 million budget drew comments from three residents on Monday night.
Resident and businessman T.O. Anderson urged the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to approve a 2009-10 budget that maintains services and doesn’t raise taxes.
Resident and member of a community group that stopped the location of a rock quarry, Sheila Hanna, wanted to make sure the county doesn’t get burdened by expenses it can’t cover.
Read More | Post Comment
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer - 6 opinions posted |
County close to hiring new health director
The Franklin County Board of Health is closing in on its new leader.
The board was scheduled to meet yesterday (Tuesday) and a subcommittee was prepared to present members with its top recommendation for health director.
Jim Jones has filled the position on a temporary basis since Eric Ireland left to go to New Hanover County in March.
Jones is part of the Board of Health’s hiring committee that was responsible with whittling down a baker’s dozen applicants to the recommendation scheduled to be made on Tuesday night.
Read More | Post Comment
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer |
Local democrat to lead state party affairs
A Franklin County man who was at the center of the local President Obama campaign was recently tabbed to take his expertise across the state.
Lake Royale resident C. Payne Lucas was hired as the state Democratic Party’s director of party affairs and development.
His role will be to coordinate statewide field operations to help local, state and federal Democratic candidates get elected.
“We brought him in because of his experience with the Obama campaign,” said Andrew Whalen, who was also recently tabbed as executive director of the state Democratic Party.
Read More | Post Comment
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer - 2 opinions posted |
Donnie Rudd still owes Franklin County $47,352
Time is running out for a former county tax collector to pay his tab.
Donnie Rudd was accused of defrauding taxpayers and indicted in 1998 on charges that he failed to disclose almost $300,000 in department income that he pocketed through a $50 processing fee that he charged to delinquent accounts.
Rudd was sentenced to three years in prison, but his jail stay was suspended and he was placed on five years probation and ordered to pay back $60,000.
Read More | Post Comment
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer - 8 opinions posted |
Sayles graduates Marine boot camp
PFC Dylan Sayles of Louisburg graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on April 18. PFC Sayles successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 72 recruits in Training Platoon 1028.
While in basic training PFC Sayles was promoted to PFC and, following 10 days home leave, reported to Camp LeJeune. There, he completed Military Combat Training on May 26. PFC Sayles has now reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG), Pensacola, Fla., where he will undergo training as an aircrew member of the USMC air wing.
Read More | Post Comment
4 opinions posted |
Woman commits suicide
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies say a Bailey woman committed suicide in the Pearces community on Sunday at about 4:30 p.m.
Dep. Troy Wheless responded to an area about 20 feet off the roadway at Rodeo Drive to find Barbara Pulley Bailey, 72, sitting in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck, dead from a gunshot wound.
The wound was self-inflicted, the sheriff’s office reports.
Read More | Post Comment
Staff Reports - 1 opinion posted |
Watson enters Million Mile Club
Louisburg rural mail carrier Eddie Watson was honored Friday morning for his recent induction into the National Safety Council’s coveted Million Mile Club, which recognizes drivers who have gone at least 30 years without a preventable motor vehicle accident. Watson, who is currently delivering mail to more than 650 boxes along Louisburg’s Route 4, said he has had his share of close calls over the three decades he has been delivering mail. The worst, he said, was along U.S. 401 south of Louisburg when he was able to pull only partially off the road to deliver to one mail box while two speeding transfer trucks met, side by side, along side his vehicle.
Read More | Post Comment
3 opinions posted |
Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee
Members of the Franklinton High School drama club put on its last performance of the year with the musical, “Grease” on May 16. From left to right are Daniel Medlin, Marissa Dixon, Aaron Gamel, Olivia Williams, Joey Stephens, Matt Medlin, Chelsey Bell, Calico Holiday, Robbie Bell, Mandy Peedin, Thomas Strain, Amber Rodriquez. The largest crowd in the club’s history came out to see the performance.
Read More | Post Comment
1 opinion posted |
MILITARY NEWS
Air Force Airman Tracey L. Nelson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Read More | Post Comment
2 opinions posted |
Are you ready for Sports Mania!
Yes, it is coming to town, but it does not come from far away. We are talking about the Louisburg School of Dance (LSD) and its annual recital, which will take place on Friday, June 5 (for younger students), and on Saturday, June 6 (for older students).
What do sports and dancing have in common? A lot more than you think.
Dancers make great athletes, and some great athletes make good dancers. At least these are the thoughts Terri DeMent (director and owner of LSD) shared with me. Dancing helps athletes with their form, muscle tone and endurance, to name only a few advantages.
Read More | Post Comment
Alicia Eller |
Dog obedience classes offered
Back by popular demand, summer dog obedience classes will again be offered by the NC Cooperative Extension Center.
Six weeks of basic dog obedience classes will be conducted this summer during the evenings, beginning Tuesday, June 16. Classes will be held every Tuesday through July 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Farmers Market Shelter in Louisburg (Shannon Village Shopping Center).
Read More | Post Comment
|
FCS honors top teachers
The Franklin County School system held a banquet Thursday for its 13 top teachers at each school. The system will announce its Teacher of the Year on June 10 during honors day at 2 p.m. at Bunn High School. Teachers from left to right are: are Patricia Richardson (Edward Best ), Freda LeMay (Bunn Middle), Monica Brodie (Bunn Elementary), Susan Barnes (Terrell Lane), Brandy Carter (Bunn High) and Shonda Malone (Franklinton Elementary); back row: Judy Tart (Youngsville Elementary), Deborah Carlson (Louisburg Elementary), Dean Reed (Long Mill), Nicole Sheldon (Laurel Mill), Geoffrey Hawthorne (Cedar Creek), Maureen Lalino (Royal) and Suzanne Harris (Franklinton High).
Read More | Post Comment
1 opinion posted |
Property taxes aren’t worst
Please, don’t judge the mountain by the mole hill.
Or, vice-versa.
Here’s the problem. About this time every year, folks get extremely upset about property taxes.
No surprise there. Most of us have to sit down every year and write a check -- then have to deduct that amount of very real cash -- from our checking account.
But that’s not the major problem folks.
Read More | Post Comment
In Our Opinion - 8 opinions posted |
After a return trip to WakeMed, I’m the proud owner of two stents
Round Two, Day Three.Well, they turned me loose Friday morning. Little did I know it would be short lived.
Early Saturday morning (around 6:30), I received a one-way trip to WakeMed via Franklin County EMS. Upon arrival, I was quickly evaluated ... and then the wait began.
Some time around 6 that evening, I got to my room and here I’ve been ever since.
Monday morning I had the pleasure of undergoing a heart catheterization. I lived!
Read More | Post Comment
Asher Johnson - 6 opinions posted |
If federal government is looking to sell cars, beware of lemons
When I was a reporter covering Amherst, Va., I remember that the town mayor was also a used car salesman.
I remember all the jokes — a politician and a used-car salesman? How could he ever be trusted?
However, my hands never got oily when I shook his hand and as best I can remember, there was never any scandal surrounding him.
Somehow, I don’t feel so confident with the federal government’s increasing involvement in the auto industry.
Read More | Post Comment
Carey Johnson - 5 opinions posted |
You decide: Why are we finally saving more?
They’ve been called reckless spenders, foolish financial planners, and the “got to have it now” generation. Who are these people? They’re you and me, the American consumer. For the last 20 years, we’ve been on a spending binge that drove our saving rate to zero.
But recently we’ve changed our ways. We’re now saving more. In fact, the personal saving rate, which measures how much we save out of our paycheck and other income, hit 4 percent in the first three months of this year. This is still only half of the average saving rate from the end of World War II to the mid-1980s, but it’s certainly better than the zero percent rate earlier this decade.
Read More | Post Comment
Dr. Mike Walden |
Our pay to play culture
There’s no denying we live in a “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” culture. It has worked well for us, but when you add greed and corruption to the mix and bribes, kickbacks and other illicit activities it turns this neighborly practice into a pay to play culture.
While most people do the right thing, there is far too much evidence, especially in government, that supposed public servants have used places of privilege and influence for personal gain. In recent years we’ve seen an Agriculture Commissioner, a Congressman, at least one legislator and even the Speaker of the North Carolina House exposed and convicted. It now appears our former governor, along with family, friends and associates, may have crossed that ethical line.
Read More | Post Comment
Tom Campbell - 3 opinions posted |
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR. Louisburg High School’s Athletes of the Year for the 2008-09 season are (l to r) Kristen Edwards and Jovon Blacknall. There were saluted at last Thursday’s LHS Athletic Awards Ceremony. ( photo by Geoff Neville) |
|
Warriors’ Wonders
LOUISBURG -- Veteran observers of the Louisburg High School athletic program agree that the current group of male athletes at LHS is among the best the school has produced in recent memory.
So deciding on a Male Athlete of the Year for the 2008-09 calendar season was not an easy proposition for members of the LHS coaching staff.
“It was a very close vote,’’ said LHS Athletic Director Chris Davis.
That vote went to senior Jovon Blacknall, who was saluted with a Male Athlete of the Year plaque during last Thursday’s LHS Athletic Awards Ceremony.
Read More | Post Comment
GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter |
HUNTER SIGNS ON THE DOTTED LINE. Franklinton High School boys basketball standout Pierre Hunter (front, right) signs a letter-of-intent to continue his career at Virginia Wesleyan College, wich is located in Norfolk. |
|
Hunter Heads To Va. Wesleyan
FRANKLINTON -- All along, Pierre Hunter knew he had the ability to play college basketball.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,’’ Hunter said.
For Hunter, it was simply a matter of putting the pieces together in what can be an extremely confusing puzzle.
Fortunately, Hunter had some help in the form of FHS assistant hoops coach George Hale, who operates the Next Level Prep Prospects Service, which attempts to play matchmaker between aspiring college players and current coaches.
Read More | Post Comment
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter |
Buddies will duel for title
Back in the day, Billy Godwin requested that I take a photo of him with two long-time friends -- Elliott Avent and Mike Fox.
Godwin was the head baseball coach at Louisburg College, and we were at the annual Hot Stove League Banquet in Raleigh earlier this decade.
Godwin has always considered Fox to be one of his mentors, and he’s never had a bad thing to say about him.
But the pals will be on opposite sides of Boshamer Field this weekend as Godwin, now at East Carolina, will watch his Pirates square off against Fox’s North Carolina Tar Heels.
Read More | Post Comment
Geoff Neville |
HIGH SKILL LEVEL. Bunn High School senior standout Adam Bunn (with ball) will be competing next season for the new men’s soccer squad at Wake Technical Community College. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) |
|
Bunn Picks Wake Tech
BUNN -- Being part of a young soccer program suits Adam Bunn just fine.
Bunn, a four-year standout at Bunn High School, has opted to continue his career at Wake Technical Community College.
This fall, the Eagles will begin their second year of men’s soccer existence under head coach Godfrey Miller, a former assistant at North Carolina State University.
“I like it -- I want to help the team out to be better,’’ Bunn said. “I want to help them win more games. I’m just really glad -- I know I’ll get a lot of playing time.’’
Read More | Post Comment
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter |
Carolina Mudcats on win streak
ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats (26-24) won their fourth straight game, taking the opener over the Tennessee Smokies (21-30) Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium 10-2 before 5,044 fans in a Class AA Southern League baseball matchup.
The Mudcats (26-24) scored in their half of the first for the third straight game, posting a three runs Sunday.
Outfielder Todd Frazier went 3-4 with 4 RBI, belting his third home run of the season.
Chris Heisey continued his tear, reaching base four times on three hits while driving in two runs.
Read More | Post Comment
Staff Reports |
MATT GREEAR AWARD
Senior Crawford Bolton was honored as the Louisburg High School Matt Greear Ultimate Warrior Award winner during last Thursday night’s ceremony at the LHS Auditorium.
Read More | Post Comment
|
Mudcats on a winning streak
ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats (26-24) won their fourth straight game, taking the opener over the Tennessee Smokies (21-30) Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium 10-2 before 5,044 fans in a Class AA Southern League baseball matchup.
The Mudcats (26-24) scored in their half of the first for the third straight game, posting a three runs Sunday.
Outfielder Todd Frazier went 3-4 with 4 RBI, belting his third home run of the season.
Chris Heisey continued his tear, reaching base four times on three hits while driving in two runs.
Read More | Post Comment
Staff Reports |
East Carolina rallies in regional
GREENVILLE -- With his team trailing 9-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Devin Harris hit a three-run home run to tie the contest before also delivering the game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th, lifting top-seeded East Carolina to a 10-9 victory over No. 2 seed South Carolina in the Greenville Regional Championship Game Monday evening.
A crowd of 5,047 witnessed the contest at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium, representing the fourth-largest single-game attendance in facility and program history.
Read More | Post Comment
Staff Reports |
LOTTIE G. HAWKINS
FRANKLINTON- Lottie Mae Gibson Hawkins, 72, died Saturday, May 23, 2009. Funeral services were conducted Friday, May 29, at Concord Baptist Church, Kittrell, with the Rev. S. E. Blalock officiating. Interment followed in the Hawkins family cemetery, Rocky Ford.
Read More | Post Comment
|
|
