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LOUISBURG -- A team of law enforcement officers arrested a Henderson man at gunpoint last Wednesday afternoon on Bickett Boulevard and then charged him with more than 50 drug violations, most stemming from an undercover drug investigation that ran for several weeks.
A heavily armed tactical response team surrounded Jhi'Tay Thomas but he fled authorities during a staged drug buy.

YOUNGSVILLE -- One down. One to go.
Youngsville officials are slated to announce Phillip Cordeiro as its new town administrator on Thursday night.
And, with the aid of Development Associates, the same group that helped Youngsville tab its new leader, Franklinton officials have developed a job profile and salary range they hope will lure them a new town manager soon.

Maria Parham Health Chief Executive Officer Bert Beard, second row, left, took a number of people on a tour of Maria Parham Franklin last week, including Golden Leaf Foundation President Dan Gerlach, front row, third from left. Included in the tour are, front row, from left, Franklin County Economic Development Director Richie Duncan, former state representative and current Golden Leaf Foundation Board member Bobbie Richardson, Franklin County Commission Chairman Sidney Dunston and Maria Parham Franklin behavioral health unit director Dr. Lisardo Augustin;

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County Schools will take a step into relatively uncharted territory in an effort to improve student performance at Franklinton Middle School.
The Board of Education unanimously agreed with a proposal from school administrators that is designed to attract and keep the best teachers at the school -- and to offer those who stay and perform well additional pay.

FHS fans Kelley and Zion Oakley

It's not every day that you glance out the office window and see four heavily armed men running, in a crouch, toward Bickett Boulevard, aiming assault rifles at a vehicle that was stopped.
But that happened last week as we were about two minutes from finishing up the Feb. 7 edition and came as result of a "buy, bust" that almost went awry.

The death last weekend of a long-serving U.S. Congressman who represented the state's Third Congressional District calls attention to a trait that we should value more highly in American politics these days.
U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., a Republican, died last Sunday on his 76th birthday after a long fight with cancer. He had entered hospice care in January after breaking a hip and had been granted a leave of absence from Congress.

Franklin County has yet to commit to creating a Youth Advisory Board, but if and when it does, Logan Harrison has probably helped develop a defining tag line: Never give up.
It was back in April that the Youngsville teen asked the Youngsville Board of Commissioners to consider creating a Youth Advisory Board.

Dear editor: My wife and I were saddened to read of the passing of Dean Ruedrich. Dean was (along with the editor of this newspaper) instrumental in my wife and I purchasing our historic property.
Having worked on our property prior to our purchase of it, he helped us immensely in our understanding of what we might be getting ourselves into.

LOUISBURG--Funeral services for Barbara R. Walker, 69, who died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. at New Beginning Ministries in Henderson, with Dr. Raphael Holloman Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

ZEBULON--Kimberly "Kim" D. Tant, 46, a resident of Zebulon, passed away at home on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. A memorial service, followed by a visitation, will be held in the "Formal Room" of the Family Life Center, Pilot Baptist Church, Zebulon, on Friday, Feb. 15, from 2 - 4 p.m. Dr. Don Cashwell of Pilot Baptist Church will officiate.

CLEVELAND -- As the sport continues to get more popular by the year, qualifying for the state wrestling championships keeps getting harder.
Still, three mat standouts from Franklinton made the grade during last Saturday's action at the annual Class 3-A East Regionals, which were held at the Cleveland High School Gymnasium in Johnston County.

FRANKLINON -- Due to its youth, consistency has been an issue this season for the young Bunn High School boys basketball team.
But when the Wildcats are in tune, they look pretty sharp -- including last Wednesday's effective performance at rival Franklinton.
Bunn was able to move ahead early and didn't relent on its way to a 62-48 victory over the host
Red Rams.

LOUISBURG -- NCAA Division 1 basketball talent is rare in Franklin County.
While many from the area may be capable and worthy of that level, few actually reach it.
The legendary Troy Wheless, Bunn High School Class of 1999, was the last local male player to compete at the highest college level while attending the College of Charleston.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton was missing two starters due to the state indoor track and field championships -- a fact that gave Southern Nash a bit of optimism heading into last Friday's meeting between the Big East Conference girls basketball rivals.
Southern also entered with somewhat of a successful pedigree against the high-powered Lady Rams, including an upset victory last year in Stanhope.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College put together one of its most impressive all-around performances of the season last Saturday as the Hurricanes surged to an 81-60 home victory over Region X opponent Patrick Henry Community College at Taylor Center on the LC campus.
Using a staunch defense to go with an effective, relentless dribble-drive offensive strategy, the Hurricanes took charge early and controlled the proceedings to improve to 12-12 overall for veteran head coach Neil Dixon.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College went 2-2 during a season-opening baseball series last weekend against Guilford Tech.
The Hurricanes looked strong in Game One of last Saturday's home twinbill at Frazier Field by a 10-2 total as key mound returnee Tucker Rogers went the distance, allowing just four hits while striking out eight.

BUNN -- The short journey to Bunn proved to be a profitable one Tuesday for both Louisburg varsity squads in Northern Carolina Conference basketball action.
In the girls contest, Louisburg took charge early and went on to defeat the Ladycats by a 31-20 margin in a low-scoring game at the Bunn Dome.
LHS led 13-9 at halftime, but began to pull away in a third frame that featured five points from senior veteran Kaylee Saunders.

LOUISBURG -- Despite a late comeback attempt, Clinton College was able to hold off homestanding Louisburg College by an 84-70 margin last Saturday afternoon at the Taylor Center on the LC campus.
The event was part of a Play For Kay Day doubleheader, with a men's contest following.

Pianist-organist Daniel Steinert and soprano Julia Rolwing will give a salute to the many special days of February at Cherry Hill on Feb. 17.
With Black History Month, Valentine's Day, and Presidents' Day occurring in the shortest month of the year, the musical duo will pay homage to African American composers, love songs of yesteryear, and music that embodies the spirit of America.

LOUISBURG -- Maria Parham Franklin has been open for about four months, seeing patient visits above their projections.
That prompted them to open a multi-specialty clinic that offers primary care seven days a week.
And, they're on schedule to build and open a 20-bed behavioral health unit.

LOUISBURG -- A year later, a Franklin County death remains a bit of a mystery.
Emergency crews were called out to 110 Ricks Road on Feb. 8, 2018 to find 46-year-old Tammara Kinney dead.
A recliner was turned over. And, there was a lot of blood in the kitchen.
Investigators suspected a struggle took place and proceeded to investigate the matter as a homicide.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested a man on child sex charges.
On Feb. 7, authorities executed a search warrant which resulted in the arrest of Jason Hoyt Cash and the levy of nine counts of second degree exploitation of a minor.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A fire at a Youngsville salvage yard sent a man to the burn center.
His injuries were not life-threatening.
Youngsville firefighters responded to R. Stroud's Auto Parts & Scrap Metal Recycling the afternoon of Feb. 7 to find flames coming from a back area of the shop where vehicles are disassembled.

LOUISBURG -- An accidental fire damaged a home off East River Road, but no injuries were reported.
Louisburg firefighters were dispatched to 770 East River Road at about 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and, upon arrival, discovered heavy smoke coming from the attic of a home on Alston Acres, which sits just off East River Road.

LOUISBURG -- Ronnie Tanner Vick's parents said they've been serving a life sentence since their son, Tanner Vick, was killed in a January 2017 hit and run.
On Feb. 1, the woman authorities allege was responsible for the tragedy was sentenced to five years in prison.
Superior Court Judge Josephine K. Davis upheld a plea agreement first heard on Jan. 7 when Feild pled guilty to felony death by motor vehicle and felony hit and run.