Archives

LOUISBURG -- Earlier this week, there were no COVID-19 related deaths in the state, there were no confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Franklin County and health officials were waiting on test results for 10 people in the county.
As fast as the virus has spread, though, Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne noted that all of those statistics were subject to change -- and quickly.

Just as it has for 150 years, The Franklin Times is striving to be the best source of information for its readers and advertisers through the COVID-19 crisis -- and all the disruption that it brings.
The newspaper will continue to publish as usual on each Thursday for as long as possible and has removed the "pay wall" from its entire on-line content.

LOUISBURG -- The town of Louisburg took some drastic and quick steps Monday night to begin to deal with the threat from the COVID-19 virus.
Most obvious was immediately closing Louisburg Town Hall to the public. Town officials will still be on duty inside but members of the public will have to rely on telephones, e-mail or text messages to reach them.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County Board of Education members came "face to face" with a foe they cannot see during a special meeting Monday night -- as the full implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are becoming increasing clear and even more disruptive.
School Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler presented the school board with a look at where the system now stands -- and what may lie ahead, at least in the short term.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners adopted a resolution supporting measures to increase the county's water supply.
Staff and officials, who sold the town's water/sewer infrastructure to the county in 2013, said expanding the resource is critical to growth.
"[Town Manager Phil Cordeiro] has sent an email with some of the dire issues we have facing not only our town, but the county, as well, from a water supply situation," said Mayor Fonzie Flowers during the board's March 12 meeting, noting town's efforts to sound the alarm regarding the need for more water.

County airport manager Bo Carson

Not so many months ago, many of us were fretting that Franklin County no longer had a hospital -- and didn't even have an emergency room to handle life's unexpected health emergencies, including some that could be life-threatening.
Sadly we haven't gotten a full hospital back after Novant unceremoniously abandoned us, closing the facility and leaving us high and dry.

So, what's changed?
Back in the fall of 2012, Franklin County switched over to a $10.7 million emergency communications radio system that was billed as an upgrade over a system that was plagued by dead spots and an inability for signals to penetrate some buildings in difficult parts of the county.

RED OAK -- Both Northern Nash and Louisburg boast an interesting mix of veteran standouts and potential-filled younger players on their respective rosters during the 2020 high school baseball campaign.
Those clubs met last Wednesday for a non-conference meeting in Red Oak, and Louisburg flashed its literal ace in the hole in long-time pitching star Jaheim Brown.

FRANKLINTON -- Before the game began, word started to circulate that the North Carolina High School Athletic Associaton had suspended all athletic activities until April 6 at the earliest.
Certainly, there is also the possibility that the season might not resume at all due to the threat of COVID-19.

FRANKLINTON -- Even if the campaign has already come to a close, the Franklinton Lady Rams provided several statements during the early portion of the 2020 softball season.
Franklinton's recent softball ascent continued in force to begin its schedule as the Lady Rams won their first four contests before the season was delayed -- possibly permanently.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklin County's three high schools -- and those in the rest of the state -- are experiencing an unprecedented situation following the suspension of all spring sports activities.
Last Thursday, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association released a statement saying that all spring sports will be suspended until at least April 6 due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus.

LOUISBURG -- Last Thursday, Louisburg College's softball team was preparing to host a doubleheader the next day against Brunswick Community College.
Just across the gravel path, the LC baseballers, after a short Spring Break of three days, were reuniting in preparation for a road trip the coming weekend to the University of South Carolina-Lancaster.

LOUISBURG -- The Big East Conference possibly held its final golf match of the season last Wednesday at the challenging The River GC in Franklin County.
The River usually provides some of the highest scores of the campaign in the Big East -- and last Wednesday's 18-hole event was no different.
Only one player -- Wilson Fike's Jake Herring -- topped 80. Herring carded a brilliant 71 as he paced the Golden Demons to the overall team victory.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Due to the ongoing spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the safety and well-being of students and campus communities being paramount, the Presidents Council of the USA South Athletic Conference has unanimously decided to cancel all remaining regular season, including non-conference contests, and tournament competition in all sports for all League members, effective March 16.

LOUISBURG -- Following the recent recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes Louisburg College, has made the difficult decision to cancel all upcoming basketball championships as well as spring competition, effective immediately.

Bunn first baseman Haley Hagwood (left) retrieves the throw as Franklinton's Rianna Layton puts her foot on the bag during last Thursday night's county softball showdown on the FHS campus. Layton was ruled out on the play.

Bunn's Caroline White makes solid contact for the Ladycats during last Thursday evening's road softball meeting with county rival Franklinton on the FHS campus.

Louisburg High School baseball coach Al Bolton (center) talks strategy with his club during last Wednesday's road victory against Northern Nash.

Flipping the calendar over from February to March and springing the clocks forward puts a gardening soul in a "Let's get planting mode." True to March, the wind blows in all directions along with temperatures from freezing to shirt sleeve weather. The assorted colors of Spring flowers dotting the yards and sidewalks are a sure sign Spring is here.

As Spring approaches and we begin to get excited about the warm weather and longer days, let's also keep in mind that the availability of vegetables (produce) changes with the season as well. With spring comes wonderful vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans, spinach, sweet corn, swiss chard, and lettuce. Let's look at a few recipes using the spring vegetables mentioned above.

In a countywide effort to feed the students in Franklin County, Meg Strong, director of child nutrition for Franklin County Schools (not pictured), and teams from all the schools are working together, preparing "to-go" bags for students, filled with lunch, a snack and breakfast for the next day. Currently there are four school distribution sites, Louisburg High, Bunn High, Youngsville Elementary and Franklinton Elementary. Distribution time is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Six new nationally certified teachers and three other teachers who just renewed their certifications were honored recently by the Franklin County Board of Education.

Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne, right, addresses county commissioners, foreground, and those in the audience, who's seating is spaced out to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. LaVigne updated the board on the latest statistics and efforts being undertaken to control the spread of the pandemic.

LOUISBURG -- Police arrested a Louisburg man accused of running over a woman.
Her injuries were not life-threatening.
According to authorities, Louisburg police responded to a hit and run call at S. Main Grocery, finding a 37-year-old woman suffering from injuries after being hit by a car.

LOUISBURG -- The primary election became official last Friday, and final tabulations didn't change the outcome of local elections -- setting up battles this fall.
Kelli London, Jeremy Neal and Shelley Dickerson all secured their party's nomination during the March 3 election, setting up county commission races for those District 1, 3 and 7 seats in the fall.
And, Sarah Crawford and Larry Norman secured their party's nominations to face off for the Senate District 18 seat in November.

LOUISBURG -- Police continue to look for suspects in a rush-hour, driveby shooting.
No injuries were reported in the March 4 incident.
Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott said officers responded to a call of shots fired at Harris and Hill streets just before 5 p.m.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners identified bolstering their water supply, improving access to broadband, better emergency radio communications, airport improvements, health care, guiding growth, an aquatics center and raising employee pay as their top priorities heading into budget discussions for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

KITTRELL -- A Kittrell man is slated to appear in court next month for his role in a crash that killed a Youngsville man.
According to a report by Trooper J.C. Daniel, Maurice S. Howard was traveling north on Charlie Grissom Road at about 5:15 p.m. on March 5 when the Ford car he was driving crossed the center line near Egypt Mountain Road.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Elections removed two ballots cast by convicted felons.
The decision did not impact any results, which became official through canvassing on March 13.
Two Franklin County residents, who were later revealed to be felons, each cast one ballot during the early voting period -- which was from Feb. 13-29.

LOUISBURG -- Last month, Franklin County commissioners gave the installers of its much-maligned emergency radio system some deadlines to meet and some acquaintances to make.
Harris Corporation representatives updated county commissioners on their progress during the board's March 16 meeting -- two days before one of the first deadlines -- however, officials were less than impressed.

LOUISBURG -- Authorities subdued and arrested a Louisburg man on charges of starting a fight inside the courtroom.
According to investigators, Scottie Maurice Gallatin, 43, was in court when he confronted another man whom he had prior altercations with.
While inside Franklin County Superior Court on the morning of March 12, authorities allege Gallatin walked up to the 32-year-old man and punched him.