Archives

LOUISBURG -- Town staff shared a proposed fix to Bickett Boulevard traffic -- but not the one they wanted.
Police Chief Jason Abbott has recommended a traffic signal be placed at the corner of Bickett Boulevard and Golden Leaf Drive -- already a hot spot, but expected to become even more of a nightmare when a new, popular eatery opens at that intersection.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's airport is looking for a new tenant after one of its stalwart businesses departed for another airport.
Triangle Skydiving Center (TSC) began jump operations at the county's airport in the spring of 2009, but those operations officially came to a close on Nov. 30.
TSC, now has a new name, Cadence Sky Sports, and a new location -- the old Carolina Sky Sports and Rampart Aviation airport on N.C. 56 between Louisburg and Franklinton.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg officials agreed to add a human resources position to its employee roster.
The position would become effective with the 2023-24 budget.
Back in August, the town brought in retired and former Wake Forest Human Resources Director Ginny Jones as its interim HR director -- who, among other things, helped the town navigate the hiring process for its town administrator position.

The town of Youngsville erected this sign along Main Street, reminding folks of the progress being made and the timeline for the Main Street Improvement Project. The town discussed and consultants agreed that it would be helpful for residents and motorists to know what downtown improvements are currently underway, their purpose, as well as their proposed completion dates. For more information about the Main Street project, folks can visit: townofyoungsville.org/MSIP.

BUNN -- A community and town official passed way last week.
Bunn Commissioner Freddie Mack Jones was 72.
"He was a good man," said Bunn Mayor Marsha Strawbridge, who went to school with Jones and served on the town's governing board with him.

Barbara Perry during Christmas sweater day at the Franklinton Senior Center

I've been covering the goings on in Franklin County since September of 2002.
But, here it is, in my 20th-plus year that, for the first time, I'll be covering the Centerville New Year's Parade. [Actually, it's on New Year's Eve].
To be fair, I didn't even know that Centerville had a New Year's parade until I had already been here 13 years.

Dear editor,
I imagine all counties school systems lose a number students to private and charter schools. But the large number of families moving into Franklin and other Counties should make up for the lost of students without cutting the school budget!

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Dallas Gene Jones, 73, of Franklinton passed away on December 22, 2022. He was born to the late William and Ava Wolfinger Jones on April 19, 1949.

BUNN, NC--Freddie Mack Jones, age 72 of Bunn, NC, died Monday, December 26, 2022.

HENDERSON, NC--Isham "Ted" Hedgepeth 89, of Henderson died December 26, 2022. He was born on November 6, 1933 to the late Isham Guy and Minnie Perry Hedgepeth. In addition to his parents, Ted was predeceased by his siblings, Rose H Burgess, Darrell Hedgepeth, Janie Ellington, Lester Hedgepeth, Jack Hedgepeth, and Ermand Hedgepeth; and several nieces and nephews.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Johnnie Lee Goodwin, 69, of Franklinton died December 22, 2022. He was born on January 4, 1953, the son of the late Eddie Lee and Frances Wood Goodwin. In addition to his parents, Johnnie was predeceased by his wife of fifty years, Shelby Tippett Goodwin; and his brothers, Michael Delrow Goodwin, William Stanley Goodwin, and Marty Goodwin.

Youngsville, NC--Melissa Gayle Jones Morris, 51, of Youngsville died December 23, 2022. She was born on August 13, 1971 the daughter of the late Rupert Perry and Melrose Fergerson.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Robert Henry Holmes, 82, of Youngsville died at home surrounded by his family on Monday morning, December 26, 2022.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Big East Conference swim season is off to a fast start -- literally -- as top performers try to improve their times ahead of later action, both in the league and beyond.
Balance has been a keyword in the Big East girls standings to date as Nash Central, Southern Nash and Rocky Mount are all fielding competitive squads.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Elijah Jamison has made an immediate impact as a potential-rich freshman for the University of Milwaukee men's basketball program.
Jamison, the former Louisburg High School standout guard, has played in all 12 games for the Panthers, who are off to a nice start at 8-4 overall. Jamison has started four of those outings and is averaging 8.1 points per contest, which is good enough for fifth on the team.

BUNN -- The Bunn Holiday Invitational Wrestling Tournament has become one of the area's premier Pre-Christmas mat events -- and the recent success of the host Wildcats has added even more exceptional intrigue to the day-long showcase.
That was evident once again last Thursday as a total of 34 teams -- 21 boys and 13 girls squads -- convened on the Bunn Dome for the star-studded festivities.

BUNN -- Dennis Burton has stepped down as the head football coach at Bunn High School after just one season.
Burton, who was hired back in the spring after a successful tenure as an assistant at Pittsboro Northwood, submitted his resignation before the Christmas Break.
Burton's time at Bunn began in style as the Wildcats won their first four games of the 2022 campaign, including a stunning upset victory against long-time Big East Conference powerhouse Rocky Mount.

ZEBULON - Back by popular demand, the Carolina Mudcats are have announced the return of the souvenir-centric Grand Slam Ticket Package for the 2023 season. Starting at just $85, the Grand Slam Ticket Package guarantees plan holders each of the five pre-determined Grand Slam level souvenir giveaway items and a ticket to each of the five Grand Slam giveaway games scheduled throughout the upcoming season at Five County Stadium.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County school staffers are exploring a change to the school bus drop-off policy.
First, though, they want input from affected parents and bus drivers.
During the board's Nov. 21 meeting, a bus driver asked the board to revisit its policy that allows students as young as kindergarten age to get off the bus without a parent or guardian being present.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are looking for suspects in a series of vehicle break-ins reported in the Youngsville area.
The incidents were all reported during the early morning hours of Dec. 27 in the Glen Oaks subdivision off of Mays Crossroads Road.
The five incidents were reported to police within a block of each other on Glen Oaks Drive and on Oak Leaf Trail.

LOUISBURG -- Members of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's hatchery were out last week, stocking a Franklin County pond with trout.
It has become a nearly annual event.
Last year, though, Wildlife was not able to supply fish because their hatchery was damaged by the storm.

LOUISBURG -- Bringing more than 15 years of library management experience, Michelle Hildreth has been selected as Franklin County's Library Director.
She will begin serving on January 9.
"A dynamic library adds value to the community it serves and enhances the lives of its community members," Hildreth said.