FRONT PAGE

Three shot dead in three days near Franklinton

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County investigators and the Franklinton community are trying to make sense of three murders in three days.
A double homicide on Saturday morning remains under investigation. An arrest was made in an apparent domestic-related homicide on Monday afternoon.
Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of two gunshot victims at 201 Carver Street just before 4 a.m. on Oct. 10.
According to police scanner traffic captured by the CrimeRadar app, the 911 caller said there were several people at the scene and that two people were dead.

AFTERMATH

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 Tornado swept between Louisburg and Franklinton on Sunday, causing downed trees, like the one seen above in the 7000 block of N.C. 56. Franklin County Emergency Management staff said there were no injuries or major damage reported as a result of the storm. A portion of NC 56 was shut down during the storm and crews with the State Department of Transportation were out Monday, clearing tree and other debris from the area. An EF-1 Tornado demonstrates winds between 86 and 110 mph.

Louisburg gathering info on data centers

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

LOUISBURG -- Could there be a data center in Louisburg's future? Maybe -- or maybe not -- but Mayor Christopher Neal told the town council Tuesday night flatly that "no data center has been approved in Louisburg. None has been proposed for a vote. And I have not endorsed one."
The mayor's comments came after two anonymous fliers were mailed to Louisburg residents recently accusing the mayor and town leaders of a clandestine effort to locate a data center here.

Youngsville makes church building easier

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners took steps to make it easier to build new churches in town.
The actions were taken following debate about whether the rezoning changes were too liberal, or whether removing parking restrictions and allowing churches in more zoning districts was too accommodating.

Commissioners warned proposed amendments could hurt county

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

LOUISBURG -- Early voting starts this week, but prior to the casting of any ballot this fall, a county resident asked Franklin County commissioners to take a stand against two constitutional amendments she says could stymie county growth.
Three constitutional amendments are set to appear in the Nov. 3 ballot and two have to do with taxes:

'A voice for those who had no voice'

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

LOUISBURG -- The Rev. Sidney Dunston went to the Franklin County Courthouse last weekend, expecting to show up for someone else's big moment.
Instead, they all had shown up for his ... presenting him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine -- the highest honor a civilian in the state of North Carolina can earn.
It was a chance to return a favor for Dunston, who has served the public for decades, as a champion for education, his constituents and his parishioners.
"... To me, a leader is someone with a sense of selflessness," said former Franklin County Schools Superintendent Eddie Ingram.

FRANKLIN FACE

2026-10-14T22:09:32T

Louisburg Town Administrator Sean Medlin