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Veteran Franklinton High School Principal Russell Holloman is being considered on "inactive status" without pay, pending the outcome of what amounts to his appeal of his possible termination.
In their regularly scheduled closed session for personnel Monday night, the Board of Education did not take employment action regarding Holloman.
The board has been notified that Dr. Holloman is exercising his due process rights as provided by the law.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville commissioners opted not to stake a position on prospects for a U.S. 1 toll road.
When efforts to convert the highway into a freeway to relieve congestion from I-540 into Franklin County hit funding snags, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization wanted to explore viable options to move the project forward.

FRANKLINTON -- Residents will have their chance to talk about a 2025-26 budget that proposes to spend $200,000 more, but lower the tax rate.
Town Manager Zach Steffey presented his proposed budget to commissioners during an April 17 worksession.
The 2025-26 spending plan features, among other things:

YOUNGSVILLE -- Fireworks are set to culminate a celebration that's been 150 years in the making.
Youngsville, a southwestern Franklin County town was incorporated on March 17, 1875 and town officials recognized it with a more reserved dinner event.
But, their hair-down sesquicentennial bash is slated for this Saturday, May 17, starting with an historic parade, featuring all sorts of events during the day, and featuring a grand finale with fireworks.

Patricia Adams, center, earned the Governor's Volunteer Service Gold Medallion for her volunteer work, which includes volunteering with Sewing Seeds, distributing food to folks in need, work as a booster for the Louisburg Magnet High School band, and providing transportation for folks trying to get to medical appointments, among other things. Adams received her award on Tuesday at State Capitol's Senate Chamber.

LOUISBURG -- If you're wondering where Franklin County Schools are headed -- and especially if you have a few suggestions -- the first draft of Strategic Plan 2030 is now on the district's website following action by the Board of Education Monday evening.
Toward the end of a nearly four-hour meeting filled with routine business School Supt. Rhonda Schuhler presented the board with the plan -- and requested that the board seek public input before finalizing and implementing it in the fall.

The bucket brigade was most likely the earliest form of firefighting dating back to, possibly as far as, the Roman Empire. It was certainly used in England during the "Great Fire of London" in 1666 (to no avail, as the fire lasted four days and destroyed most of medieval London).
A bucket brigade was typically used by private citizens, all volunteers with very little organization. Fire buckets are a unique part of firefighting history. They are an essential part fire museum displays in that they effectively highlight the transition from the early days of manual fire protection to more modern fire equipment.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners approved a budget that continues the town's commitment to the bypass, bolstering town resources, beefing its police force and lowering the tax rate.
Later in the meeting, though, town management presented officials with an option to calm traffic problems that carries a $40,000 price tag.
The public hearing on the budget did not generate any public feedback.

Special Olympian Savannah Allen

A gentle spring rain was just beginning as work on this column began Monday morning -- although the forecasts were for much heavier rain between now and when you're reading this.
I'm certainly not complaining about the rain because we're drier than dust out Mapleville way -- and I suspect that holds true for much of the county.
It was almost to the point where we were ready to start recruiting "rain dancers" to see if we could influence Mother Nature!

I know what you're thinking: The best spectator sport in all of Franklin County is covering our governments ... because, no matter what's on the agenda, there's always gonna be something that comes out of left field.
I don't know how many times I've looked at a barren agenda and told my boss that I have no idea what I'm going to write about, only to leave that meeting with an above-the-fold, front page story, a sidebar and a column.

Dear editor: There is a reason, a concept, behind any work of art, or architecture, or public space which speaks both to history and to new potential uses and functions of these objects and places.
In our community of Louisburg, these objects and places range from being grand gestures such as the stalwart columns which rise heavenward supporting the portico of the Main Building at Louisburg College. Standing in front of that structure you are bathed in her pre-Civil War story.

Dear editor: I found the following four consecutive MSNBC headlines quite interesting, informative, nauseating and infuriating:
•"Trump is finally getting his parade -- and its only going to cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars."
Followed by:
•"House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts proposal."

Dear editor: A few comments based on recent issues of the Times' April 17.
The school budget passed with a 6-1 vote. The paper indicated that Tom Harris voted no and did not explain his vote. Did the meeting format offer an opportunity for that explanation? Did the newspaper contact Harris to schedule a time to get his feedback and maybe dive into any concerns over the budget?
April 17, 24 and May 1. All three editions include information regarding an aquatic center.

Dear editor: I want to say how dumb it sounds to be even considering putting four swimming pools in Franklin County.
I just rode down South Main Street Wednesday and the river was so low you could see the bottom.
Houses and subdivisions are going up every day.
Franklin County is already worried about the water for residents' use.

Ft. Washington, MD -- Funeral services for Ira "Ike" Alston Jr., age 74, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on April 29, 2025, will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. from the Haywood Baptist Church in Louisburg.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Alphadean B. Tharrington, age 75, who died on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 will be held on Friday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Henderson, NC -- Funeral services for Dian "Ann" Smith, age 68, who died on Sunday May 11. 2025, will be held on Monday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at the Mitchner's Grove Baptist Church in Franklinton with Pastor Melvin Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchner's Grove Church Cemetery.

Youngsville, NC -- Marlo Junior Thorpe, age 43, Youngsville, NC was born to Marvin Junior Blacknall and Sheila Annette Blacknall on September 20, 1981 in Durham, North Carolina. He died on May 1, 2025.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Norwood Marshall Smith, age 75, died May 8, 2025.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Vermus Coley Sr., age 84, who died on Friday, May 9, 2025, will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. from the New Hope Worship Center in Bunn, NC.

Washington, NC -- William Arthur "Butch" Strickland, age 78, a resident of Washington, NC died Sunday, May 4, 2025 at The Service League of Greenville Hospice House.

BUNN -- Bunn High's boys tennis season ended in the second round of the state playoffs.
But the Wildcats enjoyed a nearly undefeated regular season and Top 4 seed in the state playoffs.
And, they snagged 2/3A Player and Coach of the Year, with Elias Brown and Coach Allen White securing the hardware.
"I want to thank my players and their former coach, Dale Murphy, for this award," Coach White said.

LOUISBURG -- A number of cases made progress during Franklin County's superior court session this week.
• Because of the expected complexities of getting necessary discovery information, the case against Jennifer Baker Pearce was declared exceptional during the May 13 session.
The designation removes it from the monthly updates calender, meaning it will only appear before a judge when appropriate motions or information warrants.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg officials received some long-awaited good news about their audit Monday night -- and also took time to honor retired Fire Chief Timmy Smith for his decades of service.
Focusing on the town's books, "no fraud or illegal activities" were found, James Sargent of the accounting firm PB Mares told the council.
Referring to the audit of the town's 2023 records, he said "we found nothing" illegal although he said a number of other bookkeeping and record-keeping issues were found and are being straightened out.

Cristy Creech, a volunteer with Novonesis, gives Lorenzo Stancil a high five after he crossed the finish line during the Special Olympics of Franklin County's spring games last month.

Jordan Pettis breaks away during the 200-meter dash at the Louisburg Magnet High School track.

Franklin County Sheriff's Deputies Janet Leonard and Keith Alston help Davonah Johnson and Jeremiah Alston light the Olympic torch to begin the April 29 games at Louisburg Magnet High School.

The Miracle League of Franklin County and law enforcement and other first responders teamed up for the annual Light It Up Blue Special Needs Community Day at the Miracle League field at Long Mill Elementary recently. The event helps families learn about guardianship and occupational therapy resources, as well as inclusive community programs. Above, Gabriel Fanara gives Audrey Green a high five at third base during the baseball game.

PLAY BALL. Above, Franklin County Commissioner Logan Davis threw out the first pitch.

BATTER UP. Above, Merrell Pettis pitches to Jackson McIlroy, as Debhani Valles and Tassie McGannon cheer.