Archives

LOUISBURG -- Anyone 16 years of age or above who wants to get vaccinated could begin getting inoculated this week.
Just more than a year after the global pandemic fixed its grip around Franklin County, the state has made all adults eligible for the vaccine.
And Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne said the county is as prepared as it can be to continue vaccinations at a rapid pace.
When vaccines became first available in late December, the county distributed 34 doses of the vaccine.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's solid waste service came under attack for not being so convenient.
During the public comment portion of Monday night's meeting, White Level resident Jeremy Neal expressed exasperation about the county's operation of its convenience centers and transfer station, more commonly referred to as the landfill.

LOUISBURG -- Following a debate that could fundamentally change the governance of animal control, Franklin County commissioners delayed making any changes to the department's controlling ordinance.
Animal advocates have called upon the sheriff's office and county commissioners to enact improvements within the animal shelter, including the re-creation of an animal control advisory board.

FRANKLINTON -- Town staff is exploring options that would change trash collection and how people pay for it.
It was one of several issues commissioners and management worked through during a March 31 retreat.
Currently, the town contracts with GFL and the average customer pays $300 a year for the service.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County courthouse staff welcomed a new magistrate while saying goodbye to a man who spoke truth to his law enforcement career for nearly 30 years.
Clerk of Court Shelley Dickerson swore in Kiel Gunter during an April 1 ceremony, moments before she and Chief District Court Judge John Davis presented James Arnold with a plaque for his service -- recognizing the outgoing chief magistrate.

Louisburg College baseballer Dawson Painter

Spring may have gotten off to a rather slow start this year, especially with chilly nights and lots of cloudy rainy days.
But you'd be hard pressed to find a prettier spring day than Easter Sunday when temperatures were quite comfortable, there was no wind and even the pesky flying critters weren't around much yet.
But some flying acrobats have arrived.

I know what you're thinking: You see the tie. You see the glasses. You see the pen and pad and you figure I have all the answers.
I'll let you in on a secret: I usually don't. But, I know enough to ask the people who should.
Back in ye old quaint days of late December 2020, medical companies were just beginning to roll out the COVID-19 vaccinations and, in about a week's time or so, Franklin County's health department was able to provide 34 vaccinations, mostly those in Group 1 -- health care workers and long-term care staff and residents.

Dear editor:
I'm ready to dive in with you!
It would be wonderful if Franklin County would construct an aquatics center with COVID relief funds. I would think that $14-16 million would be a grand start for building such a facility!

I am writing in regards to the Corps of Engineers'study that is now beginning on the Tar Pamlico River basin that could/will have a dramatic impact on this county ... and others, long into the future.
This will be a critical study and the impacts of their findings could seal the fate of Franklin County forever. Therefore I urge you to become very involved and be very proactive in that process.

Glynn Douglas Dickerson, 78, of Louisburg, died Monday evening at his home. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Morris Dickerson and his brother, Larry Dickerson.

LOUISBURG -- After using their potent bats to take the first two games of a Region X home series, the Louisburg College Hurricanes took a much different route to victory during last Saturday's baseball doubleheader action against league opponent University of South Carolina-Union.
During Friday's twinbill series opener, LC's bats came alive, piling up a combined 21 runs as part of the successful day.

BUNN -- It was over almost as soon as it started last Friday night for the Bunn High School football squad.
Taking on Granville Central as part of Senior Night festivities, the Wildcats delivered a whopping 33 points in the opening quarter alone.
Bunn cruised from there en route to registering an impressive 52-6 decision over the Panthers in Northern Carolina Conference gridiron action at the BHS Football Field.

BUNN -- Victory, defeat and victory again -- all in a crazy one-inning span.
That was the story Tuesday for the Bunn Ladycats during their key Northern Carolina Conference home softball showdown against Roanoke Rapids.
With second place at stake in the NCC, the Ladycats appeared to have wrapped up a decision in the top of the seventh, coming within one strike on several occasions of finishing off the tight contest.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton continues to display that it has the capability to compete with the top football teams in the Big East Conference.
But the Red Rams continued to be undone by inopportune mistakes -- an issue that came up once again last Friday at home against league foe Wilson Hunt.
Franklinton held a two-touchdown lead in the second half and appeared to be in command, but a special teams miscue led to a Hunt touchdown.

GREENSBORO -- In his first full season as head coach, Billy Godwin has the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Spartans over the .500 overall mark in the always-competitive Southern Conference.
Godwin, the former head coach at Louisburg College, has helped the Spartans compile a 14-13 record to go with a 3-6 worksheet in the SoCon.

ZEBULON - The Carolina Mudcats have announced the much-anticipated news that single-game tickets for the first month of the 2021 season are on sale at carolinamudcats.com, (919) 269-CATS (2287) or the Five County Stadium front office.
Single-game ticket availability for the month of June, and the remainder of the season, will be announced later.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The 2021 Franklin County girls basketball season was a successful one -- as evidenced by the county's inclusion on the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association's All-District 6 Team.
Three county standouts were selected to the prestigious squad -- Franklinton's Katherine Wilkins and Miracle Cornell and Bunn's Kaitlyn Adams.

Bunn's Daisy Baez-Hernandez lays down a perfect bunt during Tuesday's win against Roanoke Rapids.

Bunn High School catcher Lenita Bryson brings in a throw to home plate as a Roanoke Rapids runner slides in safely during Tuesday evening's Northern Carolina Conference softball showdown.

Louisburg College pitcher Tyler Shepherd (right) is greeted by catcher Dylan Benton after working his way out of a jam during last week's series versus USC-Union.

Bunn's Ryan Moody (with ball) lunges for extra yardage last Friday night against gridiron foe Granville Central.

he arrival of spring and summer is typically welcomed with open arms. Warm air, green grass, colorful flowers, and, of course, vacations are just a few of the many reasons to celebrate spring and summer.
Spring and summer also marks the return of allergy season. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States.

Headmaster List - Third Quarter
7th grade: Lyla Richardson, Will Stovall, Marie Scott White
8th grade: Ali Grace Ellis, Kat Folger, Mattie Grissom, Parker Gupton, Will Parrott, Hayden Schneider, Rebecca Stovall, Regan Tanner, Abby Taylor

HENDERSON -- Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 144 students earned President's List academic honors and another 163 earned Dean's List academic honors for the fall 2020 semester, which ended in December.
The President's List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a "full load" (of at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses.

LOUISBURG -- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this district's Guardian ad Litem Program is raising awareness of the need for more dedicated members of the community to become Guardian ad Litem child advocate volunteers, and help end child abuse and neglect, through supporting children and their families.

LOUISBURG -- A Castalia area woman is slated to appear in Franklin County court next week to face charges that she drunkenly killed a man.
According to an initial report by Trooper M. Grissom, Myeisha Alston, 36, of Candel Drive, was traveling east on N.C. 56 near East River Road when she hit a man "darting" across the street.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested a Louisburg-area woman on drug charges.
Angela Wilson Collier was arrested on April 6 and charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, two counts of selling and delivering a controlled substance, two counts of maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling controlled substances, possession of methamphetamines, and possession a a Schedule IV controlled substance.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police are investigating a church arson, but authorities don't suspect sinister intent.
A passerby reported a fire at St. Matthias Episcopal Church on S. Main Street during the early morning hours of March 31.
The fire was found near the back door of the church, investigators said, and evidence suggested that someone, possibly homeless, had spent time under the church in the crawl space.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested a Louisburg-area man on a litany of charges.
Kerry G. Jones, 48, of Leonard Road was arrested April 3 on Wake County charges of stalking, possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, violation of a court order, false imprisonment, injury to real property and communicating threats.

LOUISBURG -- Police are investigating a reported embezzlement at a Louisburg sweepstakes cafe.
Operators of I-One Business Center on S. Bickett Boulevard reported the incident the morning of April 2.

LOUISBURG -- Water allocations, long a subject of major controversy in Franklin County, will be topic of discussion when the Franklin County Utilities Advisory Committee meets next week.
The meeting, which will be held via Zoom, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 13.

HENDERSON -- A group, NC MedAssist, is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in partnership with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation in Vance County on April 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will be held at Salvation Army (2292 Ross Mill Road, Henderson, ) and is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners are slated to consider revisions to solid waste collection.
However, changes to apartment rules aren't expected to be part of the changes.
Last month, the board talked about the prospect of taking over trash collection at apartments after concerns arose over piles of trash formed around a broken compactor late last year.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has tabbed a new fire marshal.
Arthur Lee Evans III (Trey) will assume those duties beginning April 19.
"We are excited to have the position of the county fire marshal filled," said Emergency Services Director Hendrix Valenzuela. "Evans brings a lot of attributes and qualities that align well with the overall mission and services provided by the Office of Emergency Services."