GOOD MORNING: I can’t help but wonder what went through County Commissioner Robert Lee Swanson’s mind when he first spotted me at the reception in his honor at the County Cooperative Extension Annex on the hill back of The Times office Monday evening.
As the product of a liberal arts education, I probably do what most other so called right-brain folks do when the discussion shifts to facts, figures and numbers — I think about butterflies and picnics.
Seriously, though, unless you’re an accountant or financial officer, it can be tough to make sense of the information provided in an audit report.
With NC Gov. Beverly Perdue’s announcement saying she’s not running for re-election...of all the candidates considering entering the gubernatorial race, who would get your early vote?
People are just full of good ideas, and we can profit from them if we would just listen from time to time. One of the many creative ideas has come from Robert Poole, Director of Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center at Louisburg College (LC).
Three cast members of the “American Idiot” tour visited Crosscreek Charter School. They are from left, Jennifer Bowles, who has a nephew in first grade, Kelvin Moon Loh and Krystina Alabado. Ms. Ginsburg’s first grade class and Ms. Kathryn’s kindergarteners sang with them and learned part of a dance from the show. Before the performers left, Ms. G’s class sang the 50 states song for them.
ENGAGED. Pattie Mitchell of Louisburg announces the engagement of her daughter, Joyce Mitchell Ruffin, to Levern Richardson, the son of Linwood and Dorothy Richardson of Spring Hope. The bride-elect is also the daughter of the late Jeff M. Mitchell. The wedding will be held April 28, 2012 at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg. Reception by invitation only.
By:
Charles Mitchell, Franklin County Cooperative Extension Director
Homeowners and professional landscapers depend on mulch in their ornamental plantings for several reasons.
Functionally, mulches discourage weeds from growing, conserve moisture during drought periods, allow better use of water by controlling runoff and increases water-holding capacity of light, sandy soils.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Franklin County man, alleging that he got a toddler dangerously drunk.
Dale Allen Moss, 48, was arrested Feb. 3 and charged with felony child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
According to an arrest warrant, investigators allege that on Dec. 31, Moss gave the youngster so much alcohol that the child sustained an irregular heart rhythm and was rendered unconscious.
Mary Louise Hill of Louisburg Nursing Center was honored on her 101st birthday by her nieces and nephews. The honoree was presented with a corsage and received several cards, balloons, flowers and gifts. Church members, former students, friends and nursing center residents were in attendance. Refreshments were served, including the birthday cake, which was compliments of Gaynell Thomas-Jones.
The Franklin County Humane Society received a $7,850 grant from PetSmart Charities. The organization’s pet sterilization program SNIF (Spay/Neuter In Franklin County) successfully alters more than 160 pets per year on average to proactively fight the area’s homeless-pet overpopulation.
WAKE FOREST - Charlene Perry, 56, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Stony Hill Baptist Church cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Jamie Dew officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the graveside services at the Family Life Center of Stony Hill Baptist Church.
TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Ella Rosamond Joyner, 89, formerly of the Peachtree Community, Spring Hope, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at Florida Hospital Altamonte in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
LOUISBURG - Adelaide Jones, 91, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Arrangements by William Toney’s Funeral Home, Spring Hope.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- Bunn coach Gerald Melton hoped that a lively crowd would provide his club with plenty of motivation during last Friday’s Northern Carolina Conference boys basketball road game at Louisburg.
Melton expected a sellout, and he got one for the contest, which was staged at Holton Gymnasium on the Louisburg College campus.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
BUNN -- As an elite-level sprinter, Bunn’s Marisa Bellamy isn’t used to traveling long distances.
But this summer, Bellamy will embark on a 252-mile journey that will take her to her future home in Columbia, S.C.
After fielding offers from several top-notch programs, Bellamy has opted to continue her career with Southeastern Conference track and field powerhouse South Carolina.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- Fans who were ready to give up on the Bunn Ladycats earlier in the season are devouring their share of crow these days.
That’s because Bunn, which wasn’t playing well against a solid non-conference schedule, seems to be revving into top form -- and just in time for the Northern Carolina Conference Tournament and the Class 2-A State Playoffs.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- Even with a slew of Division I transfers, there were still plenty of butterflies on the bench for Louisburg College during last weekend’s season-opening baseball series against Catawba Valley Community College.
It wasn’t a Hollywood-type beginning to the much-anticipated career at LC for new coach Mike McGuire, but it was still enough to get the job done.
FRANKLINTON -- Despite 18 points from Jamal Johnson, the Franklinton Red Rams dropped a key Northern Carolina Conference boys basketball game last Friday against visiting Warren County.
WC led by nine points after one frame and went on to post a 65-58 conquest.
Johnson delivered 10 of his 18 points in the fourth frame as the Red Rams made a strong comeback that came up a little short.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- ‘In and Out’ was the theme for the Louisburg College football program during last Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
LC head coach John Sala said goodbye to several standout performers, including some Division I signees.
The Hurricanes currently have had 10 players from last season’s club ink deals with four-year schools, including All-American and Northeast Conference Player of the Year Rasheed Williams.
Southern Nash High School running back Terron Huffman signs a letter-of-intent to join the football program at UNC-Pembroke. Also pictured are (back, l to r) Terron Huffman (father) and Shaquille Rivers (stepbrother); (front, right) Charlotte Riley (mother). Huffman is a former Franklin County resident who was a member of the gridiron team at Bunn Middle School before transferring to SNHS.
Franklin County Schools is participating in the 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge.
The challenge invites students to create video games that not only excite, but also educate game users about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
High school students in grades nine through 12 from any school can enter the contest.
LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Richard Trader Jr., 45, who died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Rocky Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Rory Sneed officiating. Burial will follow in the M. H. Jones cemetery.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies wrapped up a months-long drug investigation that resulted in one of the suspects facing federal charges.
Officers with the Multi-Agency Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant the afternoon of Jan. 27, seizing just more than 7 grams of cocaine and nearly 1.7 pounds of marijuana from a home on Hazel Lane in the Zebulon area of the county.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Accountants with an Oxford firm will present commissioners with an audit report indicating weaknesses in internal controls within the sheriff’s office — highlighted by allegations that former sheriff Pat Green stole more than $200,000 in undercover drug funds.
The audit also reveals an apparent end-run around protocol that the sheriff’s office made during Green’s tenure to secure a planning contract for the jail.
Ben Killinger, left, and Andrew Poole, contractors with Pennsylvania-based B Moyer, are making the rounds, installing new radio equipment in emergency response vehicles. The new equipment is designed to be compatible with the multi-million-dollar overhaul to the county’s emergency communications system.
