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NEW BERN -- The first domino fell for local prosecutors looking to close the book on a multi-defendant armed robbery crime spree case.
On Nov. 24, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that a federal judge sentenced 22-year-old Achontay Malik Cotten to 11 years in federal prison for multiple armed robberies.
"Armed robbers terrorize employees and patrons alike, endangering the community," U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said in a press release.

GIVE AND GO. The first Louisburg Turkey Trot was a success. Above, organizer Cory Thornton runs with his daughter, Eliza.

BUNN -- Bunn greeted some new faces, and said goodbye to an experienced one on Monday.
Superior Court Judge Craig Croom swore in newly elected and high-vote getter Ebony Hartsfield Thorne as the newest member of the board, along with returning incumbents, Mayor Marsha Strawbridge and Don Mitchell.
The board also said goodbye to long-time Commissioner Sherry Mercer.

BUNN -- Town commissioners denied a property owner's petition to join the town, saying it would have been satellite annexation and establish a precedent they don't want to set.
But, they opened the door for a more contiguous expansion if in-between property owners consider joining the town.
Two property owners at 240, 250 and 260 Bunn Elementary School Road petitioned the town for voluntary annexation.

YOUNGSVILLE -- After a national search for its next town manager, Youngsville officials decided to keep it local.
Following a Nov. 24 special-called meeting to interview candidates, the board selected Will Doerfer, elevating him from his assistant town manager post.
The decision, said Mayor Fonzie Flowers, followed an exhaustive national recruitment process designed to identify the most qualified and visionary leader for our growing community.

Louisburg College dining hall supervisor Rodney Davis (left) chats with Rob Woodin during the Thanksgiving Community Dinner, held on Thanksgiving Day at the Louisburg College Dining Hall. The event was organized by the Franklin County Interfaith Council. Several organizations and volunteers made this event a huge success, feeding more than 250 people.

Kelly Gould & Savanna Rocco at the Louisburg Turkey Trot

It's difficult to believe, but Turkey Day is behind us, the weather has turned decidedly more like December -- and Santa Claus has already been spotted listening to wish lists from Franklin County children.
Brace yourself, we are already in that frantic sprint to Christmas and all that the holiday season promises.
The holiday parade season officially kicks off tonight (Thursday) in Franklinton with the county's only nighttime parade but that's just the beginning of the holiday activities.

So, for much of my life, I couldn't imagine anyone with firing neurons would think it was a good idea to wake up on Thanksgiving morning, get out of a warm bed and run 3.1 miles in the cold -- on purpose.
Then, my neurons apparently began to misfire because I became a runner and running a Thanksgiving turkey trot is a popular right of passage, for runners and walkers, alike.

Dear editor: I read with interest your article regarding the recent (and long history) of crashes on Bickett Boulevard.
Being a lifelong resident of Franklin County, a former NCDOT Traffic Engineer, a member of the U.S. 401 Committee and having a career dedicated to improving transportation and safety of this great state transportation system, I too agree that improving the mobility and safety of that corridor is paramount!

Dear editor: Less than a year into his second term, Donald Trump has already issued nearly 10 times the number of pardons he did during his entire first term.
Pardons traditionally have been issued at the end of a presidency, in order to avoid the political fallout from granting clemency to controversial lawbreakers, but in Trump's second term there are no longer any guardrails in place to protect the public from his brazen corruption and lawlessness.

Dear editor: I am surprised that Robert Strickland responded to my letter in The Franklin Times in such a manner.
I have always thought, no matter your religious conviction, that your conscience was between you and God. Morality and the word of law are determined here on earth.

Dear editor: In a recent editorial section of The Franklin Times, one reader took issue with the handling of the long running Patricia Chastain, Clerk of Franklin County court case, and went as far as to boldly say the case had been "mishandled by the courts," and I believe this reader is on to something.
Litigation of Chastain's alleged misconduct has been volleyed back and forth across the indecisive N.C. court system like Forrest Gump's ping pong ball, and to this day no written order has been entered to bring the issue to an end.

Dear editor: Robert Strickland's "letter to the editor" in last week's issue of The Times was outstanding in analyzing our political status. I wonder if all of our voters will absorb this info and give their opinions on what he stated.
I suppose "Trump's cult" will continue to watch the "mealy mouth XXX" continue to destroy this country and vote their conscience, that is, as Robert said, "if they can find it".

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Archie Lee Silver, age 76, who died on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, were held on Saturday, November 29 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Elder Ron Clifton officiating.

Castalia, NC -- Funeral services for Charlene Strickland, age 77, who died on Thursday, November 27, 2025, will be held on Thursday, December 4, at 12 p.m. from the Castalia Baptist Church in Castalia, NC with Rev. Carlyle Hall officiating.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Funeral services for Clarence "Bay Bay" Perry, age 61, who died on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, were held on Monday, November 17, at 12 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Evangelist Gertrude Jones, eulogist and Rev. Michael Alston presiding.

Castalia, NC -- Grover Kirk Collins, 66, of Castalia, NC went home to be with the Lord on November 22, 2025. He was born on March 23, 1959, to the late Grover and Dorine Collins.

Castalia, NC -- Funeral services for Rev. John Williams, age 83, who died on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, will be held on Sunday, December 7, at 1 p.m. from the Gillfield Missionary Baptist Church in Castalia with Pastor Melvin Johnson officiating.

Oceanview, DE/Hollister, NC -- Funeral services for Lockie Ray "Lucky" Richardson, age 66, who died on Friday, November 21, 2025, will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 11 a.m. from the Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Warrenton with Rev. Michael Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Walter's Chapel Church Cemetery.

Wendell, NC -- Funeral services for Shirley Ann Tucker , age 67, who died on Friday, November 28, 2025, will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC with Min. Bobby Gaye, eulogist.

Rocky Mount, NC -- Graveside services for Toy Ellis Birch, age 94, who died on Saturday, November 22, 2025, were held on Friday, November 28, at 1 p.m. at the Ellis Family Cemetery in Louisburg.

Louisburg, NC -- Viewing for Willard Allen Jr., age 82, who died on Friday, November 21, 2025 was held on Sunday, November 30, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

OFF TO PITT COMMUNITY. Bunn High School's Mely Baez, front, second from left, signs to play softball at Pitt Community College. Joining Baes are, front row, left to right, her mother, Mely Baez, father Javier Baez, and brother, Javi Baez. In the back row, left to right, are Athletic Director Chris Lewis, Assistant Softball Coach Dale Murphy, and Baez's sisters, Emily and Daisy Baez; Head Softball Coach Matt Keith and Principal Tyler Morris.

Louisburg's Mary Brown Branch reached a 102-year milestone on Nov. 14.
She celebrated her birthday with a meal at Johnny Bull's Steakhouse with family and friends in attendance.
Family and friends expressed the wisdom and love that Branch shares and the inspiration she continues to be.

The streets of Franklinton were filled with revelers on Saturday during the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

onny Gamez, Andry Gamez, Mildre Moreno and Fidel Delgado used the colorful Franklinton Middle School as the perfect backdrop for a Christmas-time photo.

Brittney Ocasio takes a picture of Luca and Derek Ocasio with Santa Claus following the lighting of the Franklinton Christmas Tree. The afternoon and evening event featured food and craft vendors and an opportunity for folks to explore a vibrant downtown. That continues this Thursday as the town hosts Franklin County's only nighttime Christmas parade, which begins at 7 p.m. in downtown Franklinton.

BUNN ­-- Bunn police are looking for suspect who broke into and vandalized a church.
The pastor of World Overcomers Christian Church reported the morning of Nov. 19 that someone broke into the church in the 700 block of Main Street.
Suspects are alleged to have discharged fire extinguishers inside the church, as well as dumped paint on the floor.

LOUISBURG -- Within days of opening the mid-term election filing period, local candidates learned they will be challenged -- including a county commissioner entering the state representative fray.
The filing period for the March 2026 primary began on Monday, featuring races for the sheriff's office, county commission, school board and judge seats, as well as state and federal posts.

LOUISBURG -- A Norlina man was killed this past weekend in a single-vehicle wreck.
Authorities said Daryl Alston, 48, died at the scene after he was ejected from the truck he was driving the evening of Nov. 29.
According to Trooper C.A. Allen, Alston was driving south on Ferrells Bridge Road near Gardenbrook Lane when he ran off the road to the right and hit some mailboxes.

LOUISBURG -- Police arrested a Louisburg woman they allege tried to defraud a local big box store.
According to authorities, Anita Ann O'Neal used receipts from other people to 'return' merchandise to customer service for cash refunds.
The offense date is listed at Nov. 23, and Nov. 28 -- the day authorities issued a warrant for her her arrest was issued. The 51-year-old is next slated to appear in court on Feb. 2.

LAKE ROYALE -- Louisburg police arrested a man who was wanted by Lake Royale police for assault charges.
Police arrested Joseph Bradford Kiker at Maria Parham Franklin on Nov. 27 after authorities in Lake Royale allege he assaulted a woman with whom he had a relationship.

SWEETEST JOB. Volunteers Andrea Woodin and Jason Gantt set up the dessert bar at the Thanksgiving Community Dinner, held at Louisburg College. The Franklin County Interfaith Council stated food and donations were received by churches, food pantries, agencies, families and individuals, and served by almost 70 volunteers.

Volunteer Sam Kingsley stirs the gravy

Above, Mayor Marsha Strawbridge takes the oath from Special Superior Court Judge Craig Croom.