Archives

LOUISBURG -- Growing frustration with virtual education, as well as the disruption of the lives of both kids and their families, was evident Monday night as the Franklin County Board of Education met virtually.
Kicking off the meeting was the reading of 13 e-mails from parents who, unanimously, urged the school board to get kids back to face-to-face education as quickly as possible, despite the risks posed by a still serious COVID-19 pandemic in Franklin County.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Franklin County towns are preparing to move forward with fall festivities, although muted in some instances.
During its Sept. 10 meeting, Youngsville commissioners agreed by consensus that it was planning to move ahead with its Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony.
Already, the town has made plans to host Halloween activities, including a Halloween event at Luddy Park.

Although the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event was scaled back this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to battle cancer continues. The group held a fundraising Luminary drive-through event last Saturday evening in Louisburg's Joyner Park to help battle the dreaded disease.

LOUISBURG -- A Johnston County judge is slated to decide Clerk of Court Patricia Chastain's fate.
Judicial District 11B Senior Resident Superior Court Judge John H. Lock has been selected to preside over a Sept. 28 hearing to determine whether Chastain can keep her job.

Area first responders took part in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, representing the 110 flights that first responders climbed to reach those in the World Trade Center during the terrorist attack. Louisburg Fire Chief Randy Lanham and (above) SBI Agent Candice Pegram, combined to tackle the climb. Firefighters Samuel Lewis, Elizabeth Castaneda and Jackson Ray, Louisburg Officer Dylan Moore and Army veteran Brittany Bishop also took part.

BUNN -- Town commissioners approved a brunch bill that its attorney believes might be too narrow of an interpretation.
During the board's Sept. 15 meeting, commissioners adopted an ordinance that would allow for early alcohol sales on Sunday.
Operators of Rustic Roots, Russ Vollmer and Vanessa Rowlett Vollmer, petitioned the board to change the current restrictions that prevent the sale of alcohol before noon on Sunday.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Elections had to make another tweak to its early voting plan.
Members hope it's the last.
During an Aug. 25 meeting, the board agreed upon the dates, times and locations for all four early voting sites -- rectifying a slight issue with a Saturday voting location voted on during an Aug. 11 meeting.

Louisburg HS spiker Greenleigh Gleason

A recent headline in a Wake County newspaper that sometimes pretends to cover a little bit of Franklin County news got me to thinking -- and I've come to the realization that we're at a crossroads in our county and the direction we choose will determine our future for the next several decades.
The headline on another newspaper's lead, Page 1 story said: Franklin County reports 3rd untreated wastewater spill in less than a month.
You can argue that in most places, three spills of raw sewage in less than a month would be considered news -- maybe even Page 1 news.

Back in July, I wrote a column about reports that pharmaceutical companies promised affordable COVID-19 vaccines.
And, if you remember, I was a little bit cynical about that prospect.
Well, lo and behold, I recently read a story that gave me sticker shock, but it wasn't related to the vaccine.
It was about COVID-19 testing.

Dear editor:
As we have just celebrated the 75th anniversary of VJ day, I was fortunate enough to see a post about Vernon Stone, Jr. by his great niece.
On Aug. 6 and 9, 1945 U.S. Forces dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On Aug. 15, 1945 Imperial Japan surrendered unconditionally to Allied Forces. Previously the Japanese had vowed to never surrender.

YOUNGSVILLE--Funeral services for Alice Green, 61, who died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, will be held Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, with the Rev. Ronald Regular officiat-ing. Burial will follow in the Rowland Chapel Church cemetery.

ZEBULON - Doris Painter Driver, 87, of Zebulon, died Saturday morning, Sept. 12, 2020. A graveside service was held Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Baptist Tabernacle Church cemetery.

ZEBULON--Jonte' Phillip Lewis, 29, of Zebulon died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.

NASHVILLE--Funeral services for Lee Arthur "Sonnie" Marsh, 73, of Willingboro, NJ, formerly of Nashville, who died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Nashville.

RALEIGH - Just a few short months ago, universities around the country, football players around the country, and even the NCAA were unsure of what football season would look like this fall, or worse, if there would even be one.
However, while North Carolina schools may not be allowing fans, at least until the end of September, the college football season kicked off for North Carolina, Duke, and Wake Forest each this past weekend.

LOUISBURG -- Even under normal circumstances, this would be a potentially challenging season for Coach Erica Wammock and her Louisburg High School volleyball squad.
After strong back-to-back graduation classes have left the program, the Lady Warriors don't have many rotation performers returning from last fall, when LHS went 15-12 overall -- but finished in the second spot in the always-competitive Northern Carolina Conference.

WILSON -- The Wilson Tobs baseball franchise has announced a unique opportunity for high school baseball players to showcase their talents at Historic Fleming Stadium.
The Wilson Tobs Prospect Camp will be held Oct. 21 from 4-8:30 p.m. The event is geared toward the high school baseball player determined to showcase his skills in order to play collegiate baseball.

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina University's offensive and defensive units each turned in separate dominant performances at times during the Pirates' third and final preseason football intrasquad scrimmage last Friday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
ECU's offense, which shined during the latter half of the action, accounted for two touchdowns and a pair of field goals while tallying 427 total yards on 73 snaps - an average of 5.8 per play.

Hitter Greenleigh Gleason (12) is expected to be a key performer as a 10th-grader this season for the Louisburg High School volleyball squad.

Franklin County Arts Council is accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Dec. 1.
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 through partnerships with local arts councils.

BAGPIPES AT DUSK. Jon Charest, American Cancer Society representative, records bagpiper Dennis O'Brien or Wake Forest, during the Franklin County Relay for Life Luminary Service. The event was an alternative to the annual Relay walk, due to the COVID pandemic. So far, Relay has raised almost $68,000 of their $75,000 goal. Please call Danette Cheatham to donate, (919) 906-5002, or contact any other Franklin County Relay for Life member.

This torch was one of many that honored a loved one during the Franklin County Relay for Life Luminary event at Joyner Park on Saturday evening.

Relay volunteer Jessica Bland holds her three-year old daughter, Empress, during the Luminary service, an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. You may still donate for this year's campaign, through the end of September. Contact Danette Cheatham if questions or to donate, (919) 906-5002.

ZEBULON -- Authorities arrested a Sims man who led deputies on a high speed, nearly three county chase that began when he ran Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead off the road.
Johnathan Thomas Steinke, 19, was charged Tuesday with felony fleeing to elude arrest.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The Youngsville ABC Board agreed to move forward with selling its store and adjacent land -- a decision that could pay dividends for the store and town development.
During a special called meeting on Monday, the board agreed to enter into an upset bid process with WW Properties and Rentals, a limited liability corporation managed by Curtis, Daniel and Phillip White.

FRANKLINTON -- A limited liability corporation with plans to change the face of town acquired another piece of property.
Through the upset bid process, commissioners agreed on Tuesday night to sell the old town hall annex at 5 W. Mason Street to Franklinton Development LLC for $97,000 -- its appraisal value.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has added new staff to its emergency services department, hiring an emergency medical services director.
James Gusler Jr. will assume that role on Oct. 5.
"Franklin County Administration is delighted to welcome Mr. Gusler to the Emergency Services Department," County Manager Angela Harris said in a press release.

AO1(AW) Tonya M. Neal, USN, is shown being presented the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Tonya is a supervisor in aircraft maintenance. Her next assignment will be at Lemoore Naval Air Station in Lemoore, Calif. She is the daughter of Grady and Faye Neal of Louisburg and is a graduate of Louisburg High School.