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LOUISBURG -- Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal retained his seat, getting enough votes to avoid a runoff and secure his second consecutive term.
Neal received 348 votes, besting a challenge from former Council member Boyd Sturges and political newcomer William Goedert.
There were no write-in votes.
Because Neal earned more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be no runoff in November.

FRANKLINTON -- Novonesis opened its labs, offices and insights to about 200 Franklin County students, hoping that they'd open their minds to a career in manufacturing.
Workforce projections indicate the United States will need 3.8 million new manufacturing workers over the next decade, with nearly half of those jobs projected to go unfilled without increased training and awareness.

LOUISBURG -- County commissioners agreed to petition the Local Government Commission for permission to issue up to $60 million in bonds to cover the cost of several development projects -- primarily an expected $34 million judicial complex.
The hearing on the proposal drew no public comment on Monday night.
The funding, if approved, would cover:

LOUISBURG -- County commissioners tasked their attorney with bringing back terms and the past two audits of a regional conservancy group -- both preludes to the county ponying up $265,500 to help buy Franklinton land that would become the county's first nature preserve.
Back in August, Franklinton secured a $500,000 in Great Trails State Program funding to put toward the purchase of a 134-acre tract at West River and Ballard Pruitt Road -- commonly referred to as the Annie Edwards property.

LOUISBURG -- For about as long as he could remember, Will Brinkley knew he wanted to be a farmer ... even if he couldn't express it in the most diplomatic manner.
"... I never wanted to do anything else," Brinkley, better known by his social media handle, Tarheel Farmer, told those who came out to hear his keynote address at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension's annual Farm City Week luncheon -- the flagship for a host of activities deigned to foster the relationships between rural, agricultural communities and their urban counterparts.

Soon to be 107, Maggie Kearney recognized by county commish

If you like a tiny bit of chill in the mornings, relatively mild days and bright blue skies, it's really hard to beat October in North Carolina.
Although we're just about a third of the way through it, this October has been beautiful -- although a good, soaking rain would be most appreciated even though farmers are still scrambling to harvest those remaining golden leaves and get them baled for sale.
Now, if someone could just invent a cheap, efficient way to deal with all those falling leaves ... oh, well, nothing's perfect and they do make good compost for the garden. Besides, raking them is supposed to be good exercise.

Franklin County leaders have an interesting history when it comes to addressing their constituents -- especially those that appear before them at county commission meetings.
It took years before animal welfare advocates bent enough of the commission's ears to generate change within the animal services.
For others, like proponents of pickleball courts, the board's action was much more swift.

Dear Editor: In the Aug. 28 and Sept. 18 editions of The Franklin Times, there were two letters to the editor, titled "Can World Survive Christian Fundamentalism" and "Why Does Evangelicalism Produce So Many Counterfeits." After reading the back-and-forth that was sparked by the Aug. 28 letter, I initially decided not to respond. However, after reading the Sept. 18 letter, I feel context for the ongoing dialog is needed.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Carlton "Carl" Ellis, age 67, who died on Friday, October 3, 2025, will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Elias Murphy Jr., 94, passed away on October 01, 2025 at his home in Louisburg, NC. Elias was born on July 01, 1931 to the late Elias and Ellie Shearin Murphy. In addition to his parents, Elias was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Carter Murphy.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Graham Richard Stroud, 83, of Franklinton, died October 2, 2025 at WakeMed - Raleigh in Raleigh, NC.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Funeral services for Mattie M. Brodie, age 97, who died September 29, 2025, will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Manasseh Baptist Church in Franklinton, NC.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Rose Marie Dennis Read, 92, of Louisburg, North Carolina, died peacefully at home with her family by her side on September 30, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Franklin Amasa Read, her parents, Frank and Zmenta Dennis, her sister Jewel Dennis Harris, and her grandson, Charles Franklin Harris.

Nashville, NC -- Funeral services for Rufus Taylor, age 73, who died on Thursday, October 2, 2025, will be held on Thursday, October 9, at 1 p.m. from the Union Hill Baptist Church in Nashville, NC with Rev. Douglas Leonard officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Sandra English Sladkey, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at her home in Franklinton, N.C.

Hope Elizabeth Hollingsworth and Collin Monroe Vernal exchanged wedding vows at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Louisburg Baptist Church with Pastor David Averette officiating. The Music House provided the music.
A reception was held at the bride's family farm at Rocky Ford in a building constructed by her father known as Lynch Creek Pavilion.

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable like kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Broccoli is known not only for its taste but for its many health benefits. Broccoli is rich in insoluble fiber and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Health benefits of broccoli include:

After releasing four Top Ten Billboard albums, Siler City, NC based Nu-Blu have established themselves as one of the top acoustic acts in the music industry.
They will perform on Friday, Oct. 17, at Louisburg College as part of the Allen de Hart Concert Series.
Tickets are available on-line at www.jpacarts.com, or by calling the Louisburg College Box Office at (919) 497-3300, M-F, 1 to 5 p.m.

Novonesis North America President and Head of Global Consumer Health Tue Micheelsen presented retiring Franklin County Schools Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler with a gift, noting that the school system's partnership with Novonesis has been vital for both entities.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's Animal Services Advisory Board recommended approving standard operating procedures for the shelter ... even though they know it's still a work in progress.
"It's important for us to have something in writing," Advisory Board member Lawanna Johnson said during the board's Sept. 29 meeting, acknowledging that there remain issues that are "not covered, mentioned or addressed in anyway.

LOUISBURG -- A Franklinton clerk and Youngsville manager took home two of the Kerr-Tar COG's annual awards.
Lauren Chandler was named Outstanding Clerk to the Board and Nathan Page was tabbed as Outstanding Manager.
The awards were presented during the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government's annual awards banquet on Sept. 25 at the Miles Magnolia Event Center.
"We are very proud of Lauren ...," Franklinton Town Manager Zach Steffey said of Chandler, who wears three hats for Franklinton -- town clerk, finance officer and human resources officer.

FRANKLINTON -- Novonesis, community partners, and local supporters raised $45,000 during its annual President's Cup Golf Tournament at Heritage Golf Club.
The Sept. 18 event combined friendly competition with community impact, raising money to benefit Girl Scouts of Franklin County and FGV Smart Start Inc., with each organization receiving $22,500.
"This year's President's Cup was about more than golf -- it was about investing in the next generation," said Tue Micheelsen, President of Novonesis North America.
"The support we saw today goes directly toward programs that strengthen families and open doors of opportunity for kids in our community.

VOLUNTEER of the Year for Agriculture was Brent Strickland (left) who received his award from Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell.

VOLUNTEER of the Year for Family and Consumer Sciences was Tomekca Sidberry (right) who is a pre-K Before and After Care Program Specialist with Franklin County Schools. She received her award from Dominque Simon of the Cooperative Extension Service

HONORING AGRICULTURE. David Smith, seventh from the left, received the Enduring Farmer Award at the Farm-City event.