Archives

LOUISBURG -- As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, Franklin County's fight against the pandemic is becoming more than just statistics.
"Sadly," Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne said this week, "[Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center] has reported [five] COVID-19 related deaths [of residents]."
As of press time, more than 5,100 cases of coronavirus had been reported statewide, with 117 deaths and more than 430 hospitalizations.

LOUISBURG -- Three teenagers, including two with ties to Louisburg High School, died in a fiery wreck last week.
The State Highway Patrol has yet to release official ID's, but family members identified the teens as brothers, Justin and Sha-Ken Mills, and Jaquez Davis.
Sha-Ken, 18, was a senior at Louisburg High School, school system staff confirmed, and Justin, 19, graduated from Louisburg High last year.
Davis, 20, went to Corinth Holders in Johnston County.

YOUNGSVILLE -- While COVID-19 has ground many things to a halt, town management updated commissioners on projects that continue to move forward.
There was also an update on the proposed 2020-21 budget that will allow the town to better track its fleet movement.
Youngsville plans to build a new public works facility and had a pre-bid conference on March 30, Town Manager Phil Cordeiro told commissioners during the board's April 9 meeting.

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) has named Franklin County School Board member Dr. Elizabeth Keith an at-large member of the NCSBA Legislative Committee.
"These individuals will do the work that leads to the adoption of the association's legislative agenda," said NCSBA President Brenda Stephens of Orange County.

LOUISBURG -- After cancelling its April 6 meeting, county commissioners are slated to meet virtually on Monday.
Executive orders limit gatherings and the seven-member board, the county's manager, attorney and clerk reach that limit before any member of the public would set foot inside the County Commissioners meeting room.

Bunn HS track & field coach Jovon Blacknall

There are times in this business when doing what really needs to be done takes precedence over what you would prefer to be doing -- and last week was certainly one of those times.
We published last Thursday, the day before Good Friday of Easter Week, and traditionally that's a time of the year when newspaper folks like to present some feature pictures of kids doing fun things like hunting eggs or maybe pictures focusing on springtime after a long winter or just something a bit light-hearted that gives our readers a pleasant lift before the holiday weekend.

Right now, dealing with social distancing requirements, stay at home orders and curfews is kind of like being dropped in the middle of a suspenseful movie you've never seen.
We don't know really know the plot, so it's hard to tell who to believe.
At one point in this real-life drama, some characters said people don't really need to wear a mask for protection.

Dear editor:
As we as a nation do not have sports to watch and follow, we are not irritated with Monday morning quarterbacks. These folks that can tell you exactly what should have been done after watching the entire game and having time to evaluate.

RALEIGH -- Funeral services for Davion Davis, 17, who died Wednesday, April 8, 2020, will be held at 12 noon Sunday, April 19, 2020 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Eddie Crudup officiating. Burial will follow in the Wake Forest Cemetery.

CASTALIA -- Funeral services for Elias "Lias" Williams, 82, who died Tuesday, April 14, 2020, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. John Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Gillfield Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG -- Hazel Burnette Haynes, 84, of Louisburg went to be with her Lord on April 12, 2020. She was born on October 4, 1935 to the late William Busbee and Fannie Morton Burnette. In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by sisters, Pearl White, Nellie Macrini, and Shirley Denny; and a brother, John Burnette.

We were going to play Northern Nash on March 11, and I was sitting in Coach Wammock's office when I heard the decision from the NCHSAA that might be the last game.
I felt a huge sadness inside, especially for the seniors. I really couldn't believe it to start with, but I had to concentrate on the game.
We played the game and won 5-0. The kids played so well and were excited to go to practice on Thursday.

Alright class, we have roughly three more minutes of class, you may go ahead and log off the computers, place your keyboards behind your monitor and be sure to be quiet for the afternoon announcements.
The class does as instructed, the 2:45 p.m. bell rings as I sit in my chair positioned at the door to greet every step as they dismiss, "Have a great day and be sure to smile.''

March 12 changed everything when approaching one of our best softball seasons yet at Franklinton High School.
I have had the privilege of coaching at FHS for four full seasons, and moving into this season, it was OUR year!
We started the season beating some teams we had struggled to compete with in the past and walked off the field the evening of March 12 with a 4-0 record, with only anticipation and drive to continue a streak!

With the coronavirus pandemic overtaking our world, one question has continued to pop into my mind.
Why?
I have so many things that I long to know and they all ultimately come back to the question "Why?"
Why now? Why THIS team? Why in this season? Why not play?

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats have designed a new web page aimed at helping baseball fans find fun new materials and activities for their children to work on at home.
The new WakeMed Carolina Mudcats Kids Club Activities Page is available now at carolinamudcats.com and includes video tutorials, coloring pages, word searches, crossword puzzles, bingo boards and more.

Unlike so many other activities this year, a few Easter Egg Hunts went on, despite the virus pandemic. While most of the larger hunts were called off because of the requirements of social distancing, some, like this annual event at The Kid's Corner Child Care Center in Louisburg, went on, letting youngsters have a little holiday fun. And, we suspect, providing a bit of respite for adults who are dealing with the worst threat to public health in generations.

Aiden Joyner shows his discoveries

Anna Winstead counts her egg discoveries

CASTALIA -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a Castalia-area man on drug charges.
According to authorities, Hayward Therbert Lynch was on federal probation for drug charges in a 2018 case when deputies began receiving complaints that the 60-year-old was back to his old habits.

BUNN -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a Zebulon-area man on assault charges involving a sword.
Authorities said they responded to a domestic disturbance called at a home in the 100 block of Johns Lane just before midnight on April 11.
According to investigators, Stephen Michael Wilkins Sr. was arguing with his son and stepson about them inviting friends over to the house.