Archives

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Is there at least a partial solution to Franklin County's increasing water shortage crisis collecting dust in a Corps of Engineers' file drawer somewhere, ignored and mostly forgotten?
Although The Franklin Times has so far failed to obtain original copies of a years-long study of the Tar River Basin by the Corps, there was significant coverage of the issue in several 1960-era editions of this newspaper.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County Health Department staff has expended all of its first dose vaccinations.
But Health Director Scott LaVigne said anyone who got their first dose in Franklin County is assured of getting their second.
"The state has not allocated Franklin County, and two-thirds of counties in the state, additional first dose vaccinations," LaVigne said on Jan. 25, expecting to have used up the county's allotment of first dose vaccines during a clinic the following day.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County planners are set to host their second virtual workshop today, soliciting input on a bike and pedestrian master plan.
Planning and Inspections Director Scott Hammerbacher, along with consultants from Alta Planning + Design, hosted the first workshop on Tuesday.
Today (Jan. 28), they're planning to host their second workshop, allowing for more input, but also showing off what they've got so far.

Fisherman Sawyer Bishop, 6, shows off his catch

We've made it almost all the way through January and by next Monday it'll be February, my least favorite month of the year.
February, while it's the shortest month, just can't make up its mind what it is. Some years, we get a taste of early spring and hope for better weather. Other years, snow, ice and sleet are common and, most years, the rain, usually accompanied by chilly weather, makes the month downright miserable.

There's still time.
Franklin County and its consultants held the first of two virtual workshops, soliciting input for the county's Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The plan will serve as a guide or outline for how the county, its communities and towns, goes about developing specific pedestrian trails in and around the county, connecting them to all sorts of outposts in and around Franklin County.

Dear editor:
In order to get the COVID-19 shot I called the Franklin County Health Department. A lady I talked with was so very nice and said I would get a call when my appointment was set.

Dear editor:
I am responding to recent columns on the lackadaisical vaccine pace and Carey's freedom of speech column.
Does anyone hear God calling us?

FRANKLINTON - Despite dominating the Big East Conference boys basketball scene in recent years, the Northern Nash Fighting Knights have had more than their share of difficulties against the Franklinton Red Rams.
NN averted an upset against Franklinton two years ago, winning by one point. And the Red Rams defeated the Knights during the 2019-20 campaign.

FRANKLINTON -- Even though they did not come away with a victory, the Franklinton Lady Rams certainly made a statement during Tuesday's Big East Conference girls basketball showdown against Northern Nash.
FHS trailed by double digits on two occasions versus the perennial power Lady Knights, but refused to quit.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton High School capped off its 2020-21 cross country season by boasting a pair of performers at the recent Class 3-A East Regional Championships.
The event was held January 16 at H. Boyd Lee Park in Winterville, which is located just south of Greenville in Pitt County.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University has released its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule for the 2021 season, as announced by head coach Elliott Avent last Friday.
The slate features three-game series against 12 league opponents. NC State's nonconference schedule will be released at a later time.
Game times and TV designations will also be announced at a later time, as well as more information on capacity and ticket information.

ONE PROUD ANGLER! A very happy Josie Anderson recently caught this oversized trout with the help of her daddy Jon Anderson. The fish was caught while fishing from the bank on the first Saturday after the Owens Park fishing pond had been stocked.

Northern Nash High School veteran guard Indiya Spooner (with ball) tries to work her way upcourt during Tuesday evening's Big East Conference girls basketball meeting with the Franklinton Lady Rams.

Franklinton High School's Camden Taylor (with ball) drives for a bucket during the Red Rams' home boys basketball contest on Tuesday night against Big East Conference opponent Northern Nash.

IRS Tax Tip 2021-06
The earned income tax credit can give qualifying workers with low-to-moderate income a substantial financial boost. In 2019, the average amount of this credit was $2,476. It not only reduces the amount of tax someone owes but may give them a refund even if they don't owe any taxes or aren't required to file a return.

April is synonymous with many things. Many people get their first glimpse of spring blooms in April, while families of faith look forward to gathering for Passover and Easter. Sports fans may welcome the return of professional baseball in April, while scholastic athletes may associate April with the return of spring sports. Though each of those things tends to be welcomed with open arms, one day in mid-April may not be greeted so warmly.

IRS Tax Tip 2021-04
A new year means a fresh start. One way people can get the new tax year off to a good start is by checking their federal income tax withholding. They can do this using the Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov.

Kerr-Vance Academy has announced its top students for both the second quarter and for the first semester.
Here are those lists:

LOUISBURG -- Renovations to the county's new office space are slated to begin next month.
In December, commissioners awarded Apex-based MLB Construction Services a $2.2 million contract to upfit the old Walmart building into leased county office space.
As proposed, 17,658 square feet would become the new home for the Louisburg Senior Center.

LOUISBURG -- Next month, county commissioners could decide to reinstate its animal control advisory board, which dissolved a decade ago.
And they could start one -- a youth advisory board -- that never quite got off the ground.
During the board's Jan. 4 meeting, animal welfare advocates petitioned commissioners to re-create its animal control advisory board.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners approved rezoning that cleared up a mixture of uses dotting a town corridor. and agreed to participate in a state Department of Commerce initiative to bolster their resilience to disasters.
And town management and the town police chief assured officials and residents that public safety is a priority.

LOUISBURG -- A resident in a Franklinton apartment complex has asked a court to immediately relocate her family and remove a bat infestation before conducting a hearing she hopes leads to managers of Academy Village Apartments having to pay punitive and other damages.
It's the second time, publicly, that the Section 8 housing complex has been the subject of bat infestation.