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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners are set to consider a more than 1,000-acre solar farm that, when presented to the surrounding community in January, drew queries and ire.
Charlottesville, Va.-based Diamond Solar LLC has secured 12 parcels -- split between eight property owners -- along Trinity Church, Pete Smith and Sutton roads, where they propose to build a solar farm on 1,083 acres.

LOUISBURG -- Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many of whom were first responders running into danger.
During a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives and celebrate those who continue to serve their communities, Franklin County Emergency Management Director Nicholas Thorpe urged first responders to be just as brave in reaching out to help.
Devastatingly, the first responder profession has a high suicide rate.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A transportation organization representing the region, including Franklin County, was expecting to champion the Youngsville bypass as a funding priority for the state.
During Youngsville's Sept. 11 meeting, Commissioner Scott Brame, who is also a member of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's executive board, said CAMPO selected the bypass for funding consideration through the State's Transportation Improvement Program -- which details projects and project schedules for the next 5-10 years.

YOUNGSVILLE -- For the past four years, Nathan Page has helped the town chart a path for growth -- particularly fast-tracking plans for a Youngsville bypass.
Starting in January, Page will be charting his own course -- around the Atlantic Ocean.
Page tendered his resignation at the board's Sept. 11 meeting -- effective Jan. 2.
"... This position has been, without question, the most rewarding and meaningful chapter of my professional life," Page said in a letter read by Mayor Fonzie Flowers.

What do the construction of the Louisburg water system and the organization of the Louisburg Fire Department have in common?
Obviously, the citizens of the town needed a safe and adequate source of drinking water and the fire department needed a dependable water supply in order to fight fires.
Both needs were addressed at the same time. However, the connection between the fire department and the town water system goes a little bit further than meets the eye.

Levi & Chuck Odom, division winners of the Huck Wear Open disc golf tourney

Don't look now, but we've passed the mid-point of September and Fall will officially begin next Monday.
Not sure how all that has happened so quickly but the relatively cool days and downright chilly nights recently have left little doubt that Mother Nature is gearing up for the annual change.
And some folks who are more organized than some of the rest of us are already beginning to set up decorations for the next big holiday.

Words don't always capture the magnitude of a problem. And, neither do words or video, by themselves.
But, together, and with a community's passion, the hope is they can spark change. During the most recent Youngsville Board of Commissioners meeting, Mason and Ashlee Rizzo, representing themselves and fellow northeast downtown neighbors, were back, again, expressing their exasperation about traffic problems in their neighborhood.

Dear editor: I appreciate Pastor Haley's response to my Aug. 28 letter.
I admire his refusal to resort to vitriol or insult concerning a topic he is so obviously passionate about.
I realize the Letters section might be a strange place to attempt a dialogue, but it is the forum we have and I too am passionate about the topic.
Haley emphasized the importance of loving others and respectful conduct. I agree with those values.

Dear editor: Thank you Franklin Times for your reporting and investigations.
In response to the letter to the editor, "Can world survive Christian Fundamentalism," Robert Strickland bring up very interesting ideas.
Let's not forget a Christian is someone who is Christ-like.
This does not describe any politicians we know. The term evangelical is one who shares the gospel, regardless of race, color or nationality.

Dear editor: Wow! Thank you, Rev. William Haley, for your letter in The Franklin Times last week. I have known Bill Haley for several years and have the utmost respect for his knowledge and faith.
With the violence of the last few weeks, this letter would have been excellent reading for everyone in this country.
As the story unfolded concerning the murder of the young woman in Charlotte, it was almost overlooked by both local and national news media.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Anthony Richard Collier, 46, of Louisburg, passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon, September 13, 2025.

Franklinton, NC -- Bruce Allen Ball, 76, died September 8, 2025 at his home in Franklinton. Bruce was born in James City County, VA on April 7, 1949 to the late Jay Milton and Joanne Margaret Wilson Ball.

Oxford N.C. -- Edward William Lyons passed away at the age of 60 on August 26, 2025, in Oxford, North Carolina. Born on October 7, 1964, Edward, known for his quiet demeanor and kind spirit, spent his childhood years at St. Barbara's primary school before graduating from John Jay High School. He furthered his education in Vance, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- Mary Ann Savitski, died September 11, 2025 at her residence in Franklinton, at the age of 80.

Franklinton, NC -- Mary Lou Jeans Stroud, 79, of Franklinton, died September 10, 2025 at her home.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Ronnie Joel Wright, 69, of Franklinton, passed away on September 14, 2025. Ronnie was born on February 20, 1956 to the late Joseph Earl and Leah Wilder Wright.

Franklinton, NC -- Wayne J. Spaulding, 90, of Franklinton, NC died September 9, 2025.

LOUISBURG -- Two local Girl Scouts were recognized for their achievements.
Bethany and Naomi Bolyard received the High Achiever Award during a ceremony at Hill King UMC last week.
Naomi was the top Girl Scouts cookie seller in Franklin County this year.
Her sister, Bethany, was the third top seller in the county.

Broccoli evolved from the leafy cole crops in the Northern Mediterranean around the 6th century.
The name "broccoli" comes from the Italian word "brocco," meaning "sprout" or "shoot," which is derived from the Latin "brachium," meaning "arm" or "branch."
It was introduced to the USA from Italy in the 1800s but did not become popular until the 1920s.
By the 1940s, broccoli had become a common vegetable in America.

LOUISBURG -- A Bunn High School teacher and coach has been suspended with pay and is scheduled to appear in court next month on charges of driving while impaired.
According to court records, State Highway Patrol Trooper J. Parra-Guzman arrested Andre Dwayne Davis on Sept. 6 in the area of N.C. 98 and U.S. 401 -- a few miles from his Kent Street home.

LOUISBURG --Louisburg police tag-teamed with local law enforcement to arrest a trio of suspects on gun and drug charges.
Louisburg officers, along with Franklin County sheriff's deputies and Wake Forest police officers executed search warrants at 707 Kenmore Avenue and 302 Mineral Springs Road on Sept. 5 -- arresting three people.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County authorities ended a seven-hour standoff without incident or injury.
Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of shots being fired inside a home on Twin Creek Drive before 6 p.m. on Sept. 8.
According to reports, a person at the house was firing shots inside the home.
Sheriff Kevin White posted on social media that shots were fired at arriving deputies. No injuries were reported.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners agreed to move forward with a Midwestern lender in their efforts to finance a new judicial complex.
A 2019 facilities review and space assessment revealed, among other things, the need for more and better judicial space.
As a result, Oakley Collier Architects presented commissioners with a number of options to expand courthouse space -- ultimately settling on a plan to renovate the current Hamilton Hobgood Courthouse Annex and build a 55,000-square-foot, three-story building immediately behind it.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council, meeting in a special session Tuesday night, created a downtown social district and approved a new pool hall on East Nash Street that was given permission to also sell beer.
The council also gave permission for Walmart to allow food trucks in its parking lot.
All those actions came after the council held four public hearings during which no one from the public addressed any of the issues.

FRANKLINTON -- When Franklinton Police Officer Phyllis Johnson arrived on scene, a stopped car on the road was occupied one time.
By the time she left, it was occupied two times.
Using a combination of military and Bunn CERT first responder training, Johnson helped deliver a baby boy on the side of U.S. 1 the afternoon of Sept. 8.
She received a commendation from the town during its meeting Tuesday night.

FRANKLINTON -- Commissioners approved a special use permit that will allow a mechanic to open friendly, neighborhood auto shop that he calls his retirement plan.
Tuesday night's decision came despite concerns about the impact of the commercial development on surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Patti Danfora petitioned the town for a special use permit, which would allow her to use a 2.15 acre lot -- just behind her 5050 N.C. 56, front facing lot -- to develop an auto repair shop.