By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Unofficially, the county has secured a victory in its long-standing feud with Franklinton over a water contract.
But the matter is far from over.
On Thursday, Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Gessner notified attorneys that the county should begin drafting orders for summary judgement — a sign that Gessner is siding with the county in its dispute.
Summer youth camp athletic activity director Lester Wilder, foreground, puts kids through some morning stretches before they begin some physical activities later in the day. The free, two-week camp at the old Franklinton High is put on by the Bridges of Hope Outreach Ministry and Helping Hands PAL Inc., with the aid of countless other organizations and volunteers.
A legislative attempt to make funding to improve Section C of U.S. 401 in Franklin County more secure went down in flames this week in the North Carolina Senate.
The vote was 30 to 17 against the measure introduced by Franklin County’s Senator, Doug Berger, and came along strict party line votes with Republicans casting all of the “no” votes.
By:
GARY CUNARD, Times Publisher
“Public education as we know it is facing a crisis.”
That sentence, uttered by State Rep. Angela Bryant, who soon may represent that part of Franklin County in District 7, set the stage for a town hall session Tuesday night at the Franklin County Courthouse that was co-sponsored by State Sen. Doug Berger, whose district includes all of Franklin County.
By:
GARY CUNARD, Times Publisher
Assuming no more negative surprises in the county’s on-going property re-valuation mess, Louisburg residents can look forward to a new fiscal year with no tax increases from the town.
That was the bottom line of the budget proposal unveiled Tuesday evening at a council budget workshop.
The budget does include a $1 per month increase in the cost of trash collection but the property tax rate is expected to remain unchanged. No increase is planned in water, sewer or electric rates.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
While sitting in a waiting room, they both had tears in their eyes.
“Denise,” a patient, was trying to recover from a dizzy spell that, while driving, could have put her life and the lives of others at risk.
A $4 prescription could help, but Denise didn’t have the money. And she was crying.
Beverly Kegley, executive director of Volunteers in Medicine — the free clinic that helps hundreds just like Denise — wiped away a few tears of her own.
Bunn resident Isaiah Ortega
Safe Space Inc. was the special recipient of a check for $5,100 from the SAFCAB Club of Garner, which sponsored the second Annual Poker Run and Benefit recently. The Poker run started at the Locked and Loaded Grill in Garner. The event had local vendors, a dunking booth, raffles, local bands and BBQ plates available all day.
GOOD MORNING: The two young ladies in the accompanying photo are Evelyn McPeak, age 4 & 1/2, and Mae McPeak, age 2 & 1/2, grandchildren of my son Harry and Nancy Johnson, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and consequently, my great-grandchildren, whom I’ve yet to experience the pleasure of meeting.
“Democrat, Republican or Independent — we just want our babies to learn.”
Those words were spoken by District Court Judge Quon Bridges during a town hall meeting on public education Tuesday in Louisburg.
While there are few who would disagree with the statement, it was what he said next that got to the absolute heart of the matter.
It’s been a depressing week — although not an unexpected one.
It’s been depressing largely because the government response to problems we’re all facing simply doesn’t match the reality we see in our communities.
Take our schools. The state General Assembly has been using public education as a whipping boy for the last few years, leading some to believe there is even a conspiracy to dismantle free, public education as we know it in North Carolina.
Dear editor:
In response to Gary Cunard’s commentary on Wake County’s Trap/Neuter/Release plan for feral cats, I would l like to point out that their decision was in response to a lawsuit over the issue.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
YOUNGSVILLE — Officials announced Thursday that they were pushing back the deadline to transfer its utility system to the county.
But not before Interim Town Administrator Bill Tatum apologized to the board for his misinterpretation of the open meetings laws.
The case against a man accused of domestic battery was continued this week.
A medical emergency kept Assistant District Attorney Annette Sellars out of court on Wednesday, so the case against Jonathan Scott Ball will move toward the trial calendar. Investigators allege Ball, 31, broke into a woman’s home during the early morning hours of Oct. 2. He and the woman had a past relationship, according to authorities.
RALEIGH - Edward Allen Kantner, 80, died Monday, June 11, 2012. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Mitchell Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service until 3 p.m. Burial will be in Raleigh Memorial Park.
RALEIGH - Charles Marion Baker Sr., 82, died Saturday, June 9, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh. Interment will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
FRANKLINTON - Virginia Smith, 85, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Arrangements by Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Franklinton.
By:
GARY CUNARD, Times Publisher
Franklin County’s efforts to entice a Wake Forest company to move here received a boost Thursday morning when the Franklin County Economic Commission unanimously endorsed offering the company a $32,000 incentive.
Triangle Metalworks, a metal fabrication and welding company, is considering a $1 million investment in a site on Bert Winstead Road near Youngsville.
Erica Jewel Alston graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on May 4, 2012. She earned a Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. Alston is presently employed with NASA Langley in Hampton, VA. She is a published author in scientific journals. Dr. Alston earned her undergraduate and Masters Degrees in mathematics from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.
Daniel Simmons Ayscue graduated from Franklin Academy in Wake Forest on June 9. He is the son of Mark and Mary Lynn Ayscue of Kittrell. Daniel plans to attend the University of North Carolina in Wilmington this fall.
The Kid’s Corner in Louisburg recently held its graduation at the center. Daycare director is Amy Merritt and the instructor of the class of 2012 is Tina Holden and assistant instructor is Barbara Coons.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- When he accepted the head baseball coaching position at Louisburg College last summer, Mike McGuire was a bit alarmed by the fact that the Hurricanes were slated to return just one starter.
But what a starter thatplayed proved to be.
Wilson native Zach Houchins had enjoyed a solid campaign at LC in 2011, but he exploded this spring for the Hurricanes under McGuire’s tutelage.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- During his playing days at Bryant & Stratton College, Cristian Neagu once lined up against the Louisburg College Hurricanes at the 2001 National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s National Tournament.
Little did Neagu know at the time that one day he would serve as the head coach of the Hurricanes.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Each of Franklin County’s high school football squads will begin regular season action on Aug. 17.
Bunn will christen the new school campus at Rocky Mount with a road game against the Gryphons.
Louisburg will kick off its campaign with a home event versus backyard rival Southern Vance, while Franklinton, under first-year coach Jeremy Buck, will have four of its first five games on the road, including the opener Aug. 17 at Lakewood High School.
