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LOUISBURG -- Last week's filing deadline set up an immediate test of Louisburg's new mayoral election process. And, it'll also produce contested municipal races in Bunn, Louisburg, Franklinton, Youngsville and Wake Forest.
Incumbent Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal, former council member Boyd Sturges and political newcomer William Goedert Jr. will face off on Oct. 7.
If the winner of that race doesn't secure more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will meet in a runoff election on November 4.

FRANKLINTON -- Town management acknowledged that removing properties from its primary fire district is a way to make new construction and renovation more feasible.
But, they couldn't say if it makes those and nearby properties less safe.
However, building codes within primary fire districts, county inspections staff said, do serve to make buildings and surrounding properties more resistent to the ravages of fire.

LOUISBURG -- Arlee Arkofa could not outrun his love for horses.
He never really tried.
From the time he was 11, the Elizabeth City native loved horses. He earned a degree in Zoology at UNC.
But, his calling was the church, pastoring churches in Greenville and New York before returning to North Carolina.

LOUISBURG -- The District Attorney's Office has petitioned Franklin County Schools to turn over all internal investigation records that led the school system to part ways with former Franklinton High School Principal Russell Holloman.
Those documents, Assistant District Attorney Jamie Lamancusa argued in a July 21 petition, would help Franklin County sheriff's deputies with their investigation into allegations of a sexual assault involving members of Franklinton High's baseball team -- the handling of which led Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler to recommend his termination.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners made some changes to the county's Unified Development Ordinance, including how it governs accessory structures, limitations for teaching and tutoring home occupations, and making sure its rules are in compliance with FEMA's national flood insurance program.
Franklin County Interim Planning and Inspections Director Jason Rogers presented the changes to officials during their July 14 meeting.
The most important change, Rogers told commissioners, was enacting recommendations made by the State Department of Public Safety and FEMA, which conducts periodic checks to make sure governments are in compliance with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.

Percy Goodwyn out at Riverbend Park

I could almost swear that it's been only two or three weeks since I saw Franklin County farmers beginning to set out tiny tobacco plants.
The soils were pretty dry, the days were cool, the nights cooler still and if those little plants could have talked, they would have complained about being abandoned in such a hostile environment after basking in a greenhouse.
But, of course, the rains came, the days got hot, the nights warmer -- and all those plants got acclimated to Franklin County dirt and started growing at a remarkable rate.

I remember when I was younger and I'd go to my grandmother's house, the conversation would inevitably get around who recently died.
My grandmother would rattle off names of folks and I'm sure I might have met them in passing, when I was much younger and you don't really remember people's names.
She would tell me how I knew them and why I should know them but, quite frankly, it didn't always register.

Dear editor: I am beyond disappointed in the process our county took on the 2026 budget.
The lack of transparency is glaring. There were no open work sessions. As the people you represent, it is your responsibility to let us into the conversation.
What are you thinking or not thinking about?
What are your priorities and concerns?

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Lizzie Mae Mangrum, age 89, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. from the Greater Ransom Way of the Cross Temple in Henderson, NC with the pastor, Bishop Michael Alston, officiating.

Louisburg, NC -- Mary Delores Evans, 72, of Louisburg, died Monday afternoon, July 21, 2025, at Maria Parham Hospital surrounded by her family.

Richard James Smith, Sr., 92, of Louisburg, passed away Monday morning, July 21, 2025 at WakeMed.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Walter P. Brown Sr., age 99, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Johnson, eulogist.

Community Cares will have a Neighborhood Read & Feed event at 10 a.m., Friday, July 25 at Franklin Court Apartments, 120 D Franklin Court Apartments, Louisburg.
Grace Ministries, the Interfaith Council and Blessings, Inc. have donated food, fresh bread, fresh vegetables and a free hot dog lunch for all those who attend.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education is considering a policy change/clarification regarding comments from the public through the district's website.
The move comes at a time when the Franklin County commissioners, by switching to only one meeting a month and tucking more issues into "consent agendas" which spur no discussion, have reduced the public's opportunities to comment on public business.

LOUISBURG -- A local foundation donated more than $6,000 to bolster community efforts in and around the county.
"Investing in local nonprofits and community,," said Franklin County Community Foundation Advisory Board President Ashley Jarema, "is crucial for community resilience.
"Our permanent philanthropy ensures our grants make a significant difference."

WAKE FOREST -- A Franklin County man is slated to appear in court next month on charges that he killed his seven-week-old son.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Patrick R. Jordan in April, alleging he seriously injured and killed Chozen Jordan in January of 2024.
Court documents do not account for the time between the date of offense -- Jan. 22, 2024 -- and the April 21 arrest this year.
Court documents indicate the child sustained broken ribs and a broken clavicle.

Maria Parham Franklin has announced the start of a renovation project to transform its Emergency Department, with construction set to begin in late July or early August.
This project will focus on improving care for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.
The renovation is to create designated areas within the Emergency Department tailored to meet the needs of behavioral health and mental health patients, providing a safer, more supportive environment for patients and care team members.

LOUISBURG -- A Louisburg man is slated to appear in court on charges that he shot into a car occupied by three minors, hitting a woman in the shoulder.
Rontavious Lee Williams, 36, was arrested on March 6 and charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and four counts of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle.
According to Franklin County Sheriff's Dep. R. Curtis' warrant for arrest, a day before the arrest, Williams assaulted Denise Hartsfield by firing a 9-mm gun into a Ford Escape, hitting Hartsfield in the shoulder area.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District recognized Franklin County students after concluding this year's NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation Education Contests.
Prizes were awarded for entries in the 2024-2025 Poster, Essay, and Computer Designed Slideshow contests and the 2024-2025 Bookmark contest.
The 2024 contest theme was 'Wetlands Are Wonderful' and students in third through fifth grade were eligible to enter the Poster Contest.

A story in the July 17 edition of The Franklin Times incorrectly identified one of the folks tasked with helping Animal Services Advisory Board member Lawanna Johnson craft standard operating procedures for the animal shelter. It was Dianne Barrett who was tasked with providing that assistance.
The Franklin Times regrets the error.