Archives

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners took several actions last week they expect will change the face and fortunes of downtown.
First, they set appearance standards for downtown buildings, essentially requiring that they fit into the current motif of the town -- based in earth tones, nothing outlandish.
Next, they approved ordinance amendments that will regulate alcohol sales and food truck setups during special events -- most of which happen downtown.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The Army Corps of Engineers studied the Tar-Pamlico River Basin in the 1930s and 1960s.
The state has studied the waterway from 2000 until 2016.
An influx of disaster relief funds prompted by damage caused by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in 2016 and 2019, respectively, has spurred another study by the Corps that's currently underway.

FRANKLINTON -- Businesses and business prospects aren't the only thing popping up downtown, staff told commissioners, recently.
Property owners, patrons and motorists said they've seen, apparently unrelatedly, fire fighters looking at downtown businesses and State Highway Patrol troopers patrolling residential neighborhoods and increasing downtown traffic enforcement.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The town's ABC Board moved forward with the financial commitment necessary to open a new store.
The project will require $157,348 in capital expenses, ranging from fixtures to cash registers to flooring.
It also includes $200,000 in inventory, plus another $50,000 -- operating capital for six months.

Maureen Monteleone with buddies, John and Julian

With fingers crossed, let's all hope that this danged COVID-19 pandemic is finally winding down and there is light at the end of the tunnel of despair.
If that's true, it's time to find a way to extract something positive from the horrors we've lived through for more than a year -- and I have a great idea how to do that.
The last year has been difficult for everyone, but it's the kids who have suffered the most disruption and stress in their lives.

Spring apparently sprung last weekend and, with it, comes blossoming plants, more welcoming weather and, pandemic permitting, the chance to get out and enjoy each others company.
Unfortunately, it's also the time that another rite of spring pops up -- the litter bug.

ZEBULON, NC--George Myron Ray, age 78, died on March 17, 2021.

BUNN -- Make it two in a row for the Bunn Wildcats thanks to yet another quality showing on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats dominated both offensively and defensively and took their winning streak to two games during last Friday night's 44-0 home victory over Oxford Webb in Northern Carolina Conference football action.

LOUISBURG -- Eric Lee and Louisburg College softball.
There have been few greater athletic marriages in Franklin County history than Lee with the LC fast-pitch program -- a pairing that is now in its fourth season.
Lee has brought energy, confidence, stability, a belief in area players and enthusiasm to a program that has struggled with coaching turnover since the legendary Sheilah Cotten retired in the mid-2000s.

LOUISBURG -- Potential.
That was the word Louisburg College baseball coach Blake Herring used the most to describe his club during the preseason.
And the talent-rich Hurricanes have started to live up to those lofty expectations over the past few weeks.

FRANKLINTON -- From the beginning, the Franklinton Red Rams have proven to be a quality fit on the Big East Conference boys soccer scene.
Franklinton has been a Big East contender since joining the league four years ago, and the Red Rams have always been competitive at or near the top of the conference standings.

WILSON -- There is something about Wilson Fike's Buddy Bedgood Stadium that brings out the best in the Franklinton Red Rams.
Two years ago, the Red Rams traveled to Fike and left with one of the most amazing comeback victories in school history.

LOUISBURG -- In a classic matchup between South Granville's powerful rushing attack and Louisburg's high-octane passing game, the Vikings won out last Friday in Northern Carolina Conference gridiron action at the new LHS Football Field.
South Granville racked up 388 total yards -- all on the ground -- en route to defeating the Warriors by a 43-26 margin in a key NCC swing game

WAKE FOREST -- The Big East Conference boys golf season was just beginning to rev last spring when COVID-19 struck -- and cancelled the remainder of the campaign.
Much has changed in the Big East links circles this year, mainly the fact that several high-level players have now graduated and moved on.

Fullback Juvenal Angulo picks up yardage last Friday night for the Bunn Wildcats.

LC second sacker Jonah Beamon fields his position during Tuesday's home triumph.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED. Felix and Katie Kearney just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They were married on March 19, 1951 in Franklinton and have two children.

Getting ready to turn 65 and want to know more about Medicare? On Wednesday, March 31, at 10 am, Lisa Barker with the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program will be offering a free presentation on Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. This presentation is open to anyone new to Medicare or interested in learning more about Medicare.

Betty Wright, second place winner of the Department of Aging St. Patrick's Day Drive-thru event.

Husband & wife Skip & Gloria Bates

Debbie Hill

Alice Lawrence

Katrina Williams, Shelia Mitchell, Cindy Jones, Pattie Collins and Carolyn Peters (left to right)

Barbara Oram

RALEIGH -- With increased COVID-19 vaccination efforts and improving health numbers, the state has eased some restrictions that were put in place to slow the spread of the pandemic.
County Health Director Scott LaVigne, though, urges Franklin County to remain vigilant.