Archives

LOUISBURG -- With its open house behind them, Duke Lifepoint was poised to begin providing healthcare at its Franklin County location.
Duke Lifepoint -- operating under the banner of Maria Parham -- expects to be open for business on Oct. 8, bringing emergency health care back to Franklin County since Novant Health abruptly shut down three years ago.

A Franklinton woman best known for her life-long dedication to education, Dr. Peggy W. McGhee, received the prestigious Elizabeth May Service Award Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at her home that was witnessed by family and close friends.
Dr. McGhee is a former teacher, principal, superintendent of Franklinton City Schools and assistant superintendent of Franklin County Schools following merger.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's schools have made strides in student performance and achievement, but staff and officials say they'll need more money to clear some hurdles coming down the pike.
This news was presented to county commissioners and school board members during what's become an annual joint meeting of the two groups on Monday afternoon.

LOUISBURG -- Construction on Phase 1 of the V.E. and Lydia H. Owens Recreational Park is set to begin on Monday.
The work comes nearly nine years after then clerk of court Alice Faye Hunter informed county commissioners that Louisburg businessman Edgar Owens left the county nearly $1 million to develop a park that would include a fishing hole if funding allowed.

Rob Horton, Hunter Fuller & Stephanie Barrett

Don't panic, but in a month and a couple of days, we Franklin Countians are going to be called upon to make some of the most important decisions of the year.
Election day looms on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and despite earlier predictions that this was going to be a highly contested campaign period, so far it has been pretty much a dud.
It's almost the textbook definition of a stealth election and that's surprising given the contested races that will be decided by voters.

First, a pat on the back to a Franklin County woman, Dr. Peggy McGhee, who received a very well-deserved honor over the weekend.
You've probably already read about that honor beginning on Page 1A of this edition, but if you haven't yet, please don't miss it.
As we've said before Dr. McGhee is the consummate educator who has dedicated much of her life to educating Franklin County young people and giving them a solid, productive start in life.

If you've not noticed anything else in these two most recent editions of The Franklin Times, you should have at least realized that our Franklin Facts section has been two pages long.
There's good reason for that: As we get an expected break from summer's sizzling temperatures, everybody and their mother figures that October is the perfect time to plan and host events -- particularly if they're going to be outside.

In the course of things, I often find myself asking, are people good? I remember my mother telling me, "Son, look for the good in people and you will find it."
Even when she was treated less than fairly she would, routinely, find a way of excusing those that did so. Forgiving and kind, she taught her children the Golden Rule, and lived it.

Dear editor:
I can't hold it in any longer, I have to unload before I explode.
First I want to address the statement of the Mayor or New York made a few weeks back. He said and I quote, "America has never been all that great." Yes he has freedom of speech in America.

YOUNGSVILLE--Elizabeth "Lib" Best Biggerstaff was a native of Wayne County and was the daughter of Cuyler & Frances Herring Best.

BUNN -- Homecoming took on a literal meaning last Friday for the Bunn High School football team.
It had been four weeks since the Wildcats had played at home, but the wait was worthwhile for fans as Bunn cruised to a 57-27 homecoming decision over Northern Carolina Conference opponent Warren County.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The fall girls golf campaign is about to close in the Big East Conference -- and it has been quite an interesting one.
Wilson Hunt has controlled the proceedings in both the team and individual standings, thanks in part to newcomer exchange student Plun Rattanaprakarn, along with standout returnee Sarah Bunn.

LOUISBURG -- Backing down under the force of a competitive opponent has never been part of the DNA of the Louisburg High School volleyball program.
And the Lady Warriors aren't about to start a new trend now.
That fact was evident Monday when LHS hosted backyard rival Franklinton in a Franklin County showdown at the LHS Gymnasium.

CHAPEL HILL -- Freeman Jones is certainly making the most of his senior season as a member of the University of North Carolina football squad.
Jones, who prepped at Bunn High School, has been one of the few bright spots to date for the Tar Heels as a standout placekicker.
North Carolina is just 1-3 overall, but not because of Jones, who has been efficient with his booting duties for Coach Larry Fedora's club.

FRANKLINTON -- After a much-needed bye week, Franklinton resumes its football schedule this Friday when the Red Rams kick off Big East Conference action.
For its league opener, FHS will undertake one of the Big East's toughest tests in the form of the Rocky Mount Gryphons.
Game time will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the FHS Football Field.

LOUISBURG -- Being able to obtain two football victories in a four-day span is a quality proposition for any high school squad -- and that's exactly the fate the Louisburg Warriors enjoyed last week.
Last Monday, Louisburg claimed a home decision over Rocky Mount Prep in a make-up event from earlier in the campaign.

RALEIGH -- Ricky Person has made a quick adjustment to the college football level at North Carolina State University.
Person, a Franklin County native, has earned plenty of reps in the NCSU backfield as a true freshman running back.
During last Saturday's home triumph against Virginia, Person rushed 14 times for 108 yards as the Wolfpack were winners by a score of 35-21 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- In the wake of Hurricane Florence that hit and devastated parts of South Carolina and much of North Carolina, 13 Minor League Baseball teams in the two states are coming together to support and raise money for those victims in their states.

Former Bunn High School placekicker Freeman Jones (left) is off to a strong start this season as a member of the University of North Carolina football squad.

Bunn's Caleb Morton falls forward for extra yardage during the Wildcats' homecoming triumph last Friday night against conference opponent Warren County.

Bunn High School running back Juvenal Angulo (with ball) tries not to fumble during a carry as part of last Friday's home triumph over the Warren County Eagles.

Franklin County Arts Council is accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Dec. 31.
Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state though partnerships with local art councils.

The end of World War I -- the Great War -- on November 11, 1918, was of considerable interest to the people of Franklin County.
Local men had fought and the families they left behind had made sacrifices. It is not surprising, then, that The Franklin Times of Friday, November 15, devoted considerable space to coverage of the war and the armistice.

HENDERSON -- The Vance-Granville Community College Health Sciences clubs are collecting donations at all four VGCC campuses for a "Prom Attire" collection drive through Feb. 28.
All donations will be collected for a giveaway event to provide local high school students free attire to fulfill their prom dreams, according to Stacey Soles, VGCC's program head for medical assisting and clinical coordinator for radiography.

WAKE FOREST -- Five Vance-Granville Community College students, including two from Franklinton and Youngsville, were among 14 who committed to participate in the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP) at a signing ceremony recently in Wake Forest.
In addition to the signings, five students were honored as the first graduates of the program, which was held in the Wake Forest Renaissance Center.

The Franklin County Farm Bureau Women's Committee recently donated agricultural books to each of the eight elementary schools in Franklin County. Each month, the women's committee donates a "book-of-the-month" to each of Franklin County elementary schools. In addition, an informative "Ag in the Classroom" lunch and learn was held at the Louisburg Farm Bureau office in August.

FESTIVITIES. Bailee, Aubree and Alexandra Lundy enjoy some cool refreshments on the warm fall day.

LOUISBURG -- Police are looking for a suspect they allege stole items and led police on a chase before the matter was called off.
According to a police report, officers were notified of a shoplifting incident at the Walmart on Retail Way at about 5 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The suspect left the scene, prompting a brief chase by officers along U.S. 401 South of town.

LOUISBURG -- Police are looking for a suspect who broke into a vehicle in town.
Officers responded to a home in the 100 block of Johnson Street the afternoon of Sept. 30 after it was reported that a vehicle was broken into.
It was not immediately clear what items were taken.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners and an assessment firm continued the process by which the town will hire its next town administrator.
Last month, commissioners hired Development Associates after hearing its president, Steve Straus, explain the comprehensive process by which they'll help the town identify and hire its next town administrator.

WAKE FOREST -- Franklin and Wake county agriculture centers will host a Pond Management Field Day.
The Oct. 26 event will be held at Barham Farm, 11920, Louisburg Road, Wake Forest, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Franklin and Wake county centers of the N.C. Cooperative Extension office are hosting the field day.

RALEIGH -- Franklin County motorists who travel along U.S. 1 will get an opportunity to express opinions about a new development along the thoroughfare.
The State Department of Transportation is proposing to convert U.S. 1 to a controlled-access highway from I-540 to the intersection of Purnell Road/Harris Road in Wake Forest.