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FRANKLINTON -- Raleigh residents Joe and Stephanie Farrell have been responsible for changing the fate of economic development on nearly every corner of downtown Franklinton.
Last week, the couple was recognized during a dedication ceremony for changing the face of the Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park, renovating the space and laying the foundation for generations to come.

FRANKLINTON -- One juvenile is in custody, but authorities were still looking for two other teenagers they allege went on violent crime spree in Franklin County before leading officers on a multi-county chase.
According to Franklinton Police Chief James Davis, the three teens are believed to have traveled from Durham to Franklin County in a stolen vehicle the afternoon of July 24.

SPRING HOPE -- Franklin County arrested a Louisburg man, alleging infidelity prompted a shooting.
James Washington Pegram II was arrested on July 27 and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Pegram was also arrested on July 22 on misdemeanor charges of assault on a female and communicating threats resulting from a July 6 and July 9 incident.

LOUISBURG -- A Youngsville business owner who has had a years-long property use feud with Franklin County planners got a win and a loss this week.
His overall battle continues in Franklin County Superior Court, though.
Craig Rooth had operated a commercial parking facility/truck yard at the intersection of N.C. 96 and Long Mill Road, but was informed in December 2021 that he was operating in violation of the county's Unified Development Ordinance.

American Legion Post 52 Historian Samuel "Brodie" Green

I guess what they say about North Carolina weather is true.
You know, if you don't like it, just wait a little while and it will change.
After a late May and June that were so dry and hot that a lot of crops were damaged or destroyed here in Franklin County, old Mother Nature did an about face and, as this was written, we were getting a bit soggy and water-logged.

By now, most of you are aware that break dancing has frickin' made the Olympics.
I'm old enough to remember that if you wanted to learn how to break dance, you had to know someone who had cousins in New York who could get you a bootleg copy of "Wild Style," "Breakin'" or "Beat Street" to learn how to do the latest dances.
If you can imagine, new trends, styles and culture didn't travel at the speed of three million meters per second -- roughly, the speed of light or how fast it takes data to travel on the 'Net.

Dear editor.
I am writing on behalf of The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan group.
In our state, 78 percent of students are educated in public schools. NC taxpayer money is spread out over the state for school funding according to population.

Dear editor:
It seems that everyone running for office in the country says they are trying to save democracy. None of the politicians or network pundits have time to explain democracy or how they will save our nation. There seems to be a large group intent on comparing the Republican candidate for President with Hitler and calling him a Nazi.

FRANKLINTON, NC--David James Phillips, 50, died July 25, 2024. David was born in Franklin County, NC, on Sept. 10, 1973 to Barbara Ross Phillips and the late Richard Allan Phillips.

LOUISBURG, NC--James Melton Buchanan, 76, of Louisburg died Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home. He was born September 16, 1947 in Cumberland County, a son of the late Deberry & Viola Buchanan.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Storylines will be plentiful when Franklin County's high schools open their respective boys soccer campaigns, beginning in two weeks.
At Bunn, the Wildcats will look for another deep postseason run after making it to the third round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs in 2023.
But BHS will have a different head coach this fall as former assistant Brad Davis will take over the program -- and ex-head coach John Rappold will step down to be his assistant.

LOUISBURG -- Mark Vanderslice brought an expectation of excellence during his successful tenure as the men's basketball coach at Louisburg College -- a streak of greatness that spanned from 2010-2015.
Nothing has changed since then.

BUNN -- With a lineup dominated by underclassmen, the Bunn Wildcats arrived ahead of schedule at the top of the Big East Conference standings during the 2024 baseball season.
Bunn, with just two seniors on its roster, went 17-8 overall and tied for the regular season Big East championship with Northern Nash before reaching the third round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs.

NASH COUNTY -- It's become almost a tradition for the Big East Conference to be represented at the North Carolina Coaches Association's East-West All-Star Games -- and the 2025 series will be no different.
Just after Northern Nash's Henry Drake served as the boys head coach at the annual East-West Basketball Game two weeks ago, it was announced that Rocky Mount's Jason Battle will be in charge of the East squad for the annual E-W Football Game -- slated to be played in December at historic Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Greensboro Grimsley High School.

SALEM, V.A. -- Luis Castillo drove had three hits and drove in eight runs as the Carolina Mudcats clinched the series from the host Salem Red Sox with a 12-3 victory on Sunday afternoon in Minor League Baseball action at Carillion Clinic Field in the Dominion State.
Carolina (57-37 overall, 16-13 second half) broke open the game in the second with a five-run inning that was highlighted by a three-run home from Castillo -- his 13th of the season.

OXFORD -- The world was on display as CultureFest, sponsored by The John Chavis Historical Society, brought more than 3,500 visitors into the downtown Oxford, area earlier this year.
Brilliant displays of colorful costumes, dancers sharing their well-choreographed routines bringing their diverse cultures to life for festival attendees, food from multiple nations and artisan vendors with beautifully crafted items representing so many regions around the world were featured.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County is close to bringing on an animal services position that will be key to relaunching the department's volunteer program, amongst other duties.
The department is also close to securing the services of a consultant that could help develop standard operating procedures.
Those positive steps were balanced by repeated criticisms of the department's shortcomings during its most Animal Services Advisory Board meeting, though.

Franklinton United Methodist Church in Franklinton celebrated its 180th anniversary on Sunday, July 18, according to the Rev. Johnny Llerena, its pastor.
Featured speaker for the anniversary service was Rev. Connie Mitchell Shelton, resident bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
After the service, attendees toured an exhibition of documents and historical pieces.
Franklinton United Methodist Church was founded in 1844 as a preaching station. Its first temple was located between Main and Mason streets.

LOUISBURG -- The O. Henry Book Club of Franklin County presented Louisburg College with a book donation and dedication last week.
The book, "North Carolina Pottery: The Collection of The Mint Museum," was gifted to Louisburg College's Robbins Library in memory of club member Dr. Linda Holley.
Dr. Linda Holley was a proud member of the O. Henry Book Club based in Louisburg.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's focus on improving high-speed broadband and bringing fiber access across the county has received additional support.
Through new Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) grant funding, Brightspeed -- formerly CenturyLink and Lumen -- will begin deploying high speed fiber-to-the-home Internet in more than 2,300 locations.

Above, Stephanie and Joe Farrell, center, cut the ribbon, officially opening rededicated Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park. They are joined by, from left, Public Works Director Brad Kearney, American Legion Post 52 Commander Chris Smith and Franklinton Town Manager Zach Steffey.