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LOUISBURG -- Authorities arrested a Louisburg man with a decades-long criminal record they allege shot a Franklin County sheriff's deputies last week.
The State Bureau of Investigation said both the deputy and suspect were believed to have been shot.
The evening of Dec. 18, authorities allege Jermaine Anthony Branch shot Dep. Taylor Lucas before fleeing from arrest on E. River Road near George Leonard Road.
Lucas, White said, was being treated for his injuries at a local hospital.

These two young ladies recently provided Santa Clas their special wish lists when the Jolly Old Gent from the North Pole visited Louisburg United Methodist just before Thansgiving. In the photo above, Anna Faulkner, 10, is all smiles as she tells Santa what she would most like this year. As usual, Santa has been a busy guy this year, riding in parades, attending Christmas tree lightings, reading to children and, of course, listening to wish lists from children who are excited about his annual visit this week.

LOUISBURG -- After taking some time to respond to a defamation lawsuit, attorneys for Sheriff Kevin White responded with a motion to dismiss, alleging former county manager Kim Denton's lawsuit is full of cheap shots and is an attempt to inflict political harm.
In October, Raleigh attorney J. Heydt Philbeck filed a lawsuit in Franklin County Civil Superior Court, alleging that White defamed Denton in a political power move that cost the manager her job a year ago.

LOUISBURG -- Filing for the 2026 primary ended last Friday and Franklin County can expect races in the spring and fall that could and will change local, state and regional seats.
A week before the filing deadline, District 7 State Rep. Matthew Winslow announced that he would not seek re-election.
That same day, Louisburg's Cory Thornton filed for the Republican party nomination.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Residents in Louisburg, Youngsville and Franklinton joined millions of people across the country laying wreaths on the graves of veterans -- remembering their service and sacrifice.
Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit foundation, began at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992, laying wreaths in cemeteries to recognize and remember veterans.
During the national observance on Dec. 13, communities in Louisburg, Youngsville and Franklinton held their annual wreath-laying ceremonies here.

Liz Seibel in a very festive Christmas cap

The Christmas parades are all past, the decorations are installed and lighted, Christmas dinner is probably mostly planned and maybe even started and the kids and grandkids are bouncing off the walls in anticipation of what Santa may bring.
Christmas is almost here -- and by now Santa must be loading up his sleigh and giving the reindeer a big, pre-flight meal that they'll need to get through the night.
If you're like me -- and a lot of you have confessed that you are -- it's difficult to believe that Christmas is here and we're just days away from starting a new year.

If the grey hair and grandkids weren't enough to give it away, perhaps my columns do: I've been around long enough to establish a tradition.
As this edition will hit the streets in time for Christmas, it has become routine for me to talk about the things that Santa Claus can bring to Franklin County's communities -- from Alert to Zebulon and from Youngsville to Bunn ... and everywhere in between.

Dear editor: I have said a lot about the abyss that is Donald Trump's character. One thing I haven't talked about is his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In view of the much-anticipated release by the Justice Dept. last week of heavily redacted Epstein material, in which little or nothing pertaining to Trump was allowed to see the light of day, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of his long involvement with Epstein.
Trump's connection with Epstein was a lot closer than many people realize.

Dear editor: With Christmas just right around the corner, we should maybe examine some of the many blessings we are thankful for.
I am thankful that Deputy Taylor Lucas was released from the hospital after being shot at point blank range. It is apparent that the bulletproof vest saved his life. I feel certain he will be sore, but he is alive.
I know absolutely nothing about law enforcement or crime prevention.

Zebulon, NC -- Albert Garrett, age 83, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Brooklyn, NY -- Funeral services for Carolyn Harris McCoy, age 75, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Sunday, December 14, 2025, were held on Monday, December 22, at 1 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

Mebane, NC -- Funeral services for Dr. John F. Bradshaw, age 88, who died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 will be held Monday, December 29, at 1 p.m. from the Gethsemane SDA Church in Raleigh, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Goldie Foster, age 81, who died on Friday, December 19, 2025, will be held on Sunday, December 28, at 3 p.m. from the Rowland Chapel Christian Church in Henderson with Minister Robert Lee Foster III officiating. Burial will follow in the Rowland Chapel Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Gregory "Action Jackson" Jackson, age 69, who died on Wednesday December 17, 2025, will be held on Tuesday, December 30, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Wardrick Family Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC --Martha Elaine Cottrell Duke, 87, of Louisburg, died Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at her home.

Born in Mountainside, New Jersey, Peter lived a life defined by service - to his country, his family, and to anyone fortunate enough to cross his path.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Wallace Wade Wilder, age 81, who died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 will be held Saturday, December 27, at 12 p.m. from the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC.

If you've wondered how Santa Claus gets everything done, here's the answer: He has lots and lots of help. When he visited the Louisburg United Methodist Church a few weeks ago, he had these eager "elves" to help him listen to the wish lists of children. The elves are (left to right) Mordecai Greenwood, Kendall Thornburg, Joseph Thornburg and Holly Thornburg. By now, Santa is probably busy loading up his sleigh for his annual run.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- Casey Sutherland of Youngsville was named to the 2025 spring and summer trimester Dean's List at Palmer College of Chiropractic's Florida Campus in Port Orange.
Palmer College of Chiropractic, the first and largest college in the chiropractic profession, has campuses in Davenport, Iowa, and Port Orange.

The Franklin County Board of Education recently honored 13 students who best exemplified the character traits of self-discipline and self-control.
Those students are;

MANCHESTER, NH -- Southern New Hampshire University recognized local students who made the Summer 2025 President's List.
Full-time undergraduate students who've earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 are named to the President's List. The following students from Franklin County made the list:

ATHENS, Ga. -- Robert William Burnett was one of more than 3,200 students who took part in the University of Georgia's Class of 2025 fall commencement ceremonies on Dec. 12.
Burnett, of Franklinton, earned a degree in BSFCS Housing Management and Policy.

ROME, Ga. -- Arden Wheless was named to the Fall 2025 Dean's List at Berry College.
The Dean's List honors students who posted an academic average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale while carrying a class load of at least 12 hours during the semester.

FAMILY AFFAIR. Incumbent Council member Betty Wright took the oath of office for another term during the board's Dec. 15 meeting. Judge Adam Keith administered the oath as Wright was joined by, from left, son Tracy Wright, brother Keith Wright and son and campaign manager Kevin Wright. Betty Wright was also chosen as the Council's mayor pro tem.

SHAKE ON IT. Judge Adam Keith, right, congratulates newly elected Council member David Rosby after taking the oath of office during the board's Dec. 15 meeting. Rosby took the oath of office with the aid of his son, Daniel, and wife Sharon.

FRANKLINTON -- After swearing in three returning board members, Franklinton commissioners surplussed some property, removed restrictions on others, rezoned some and, as the Board of Adjustment, issued a special use permit on another.
The net gain is that it made the properties more appealing to develop.
First, the board agreed to deem surplus properties at 103 and 105 E. Mason Street during the Dec. 16 meeting.

John Allers takes the oath of office from Fogg with the aid of his wife, Sheila. Franklinton was the only town where all of its incumbents were re-elected.

HELPING KEEP FOLKS WARM! Laura Dudley, Cora Hawkins and John Faulkner with Care and Share, Louisburg accept the donations from the Coats for Christmas drive. The coat drive has been going on for over 30 years. If you still wish to donate, call Wayne Champion at Farm Bureau, 919-496-2051.

Louisburg event organizer Wynn Smith addressed the crowd in Louisburg, with the help of Color Guard members Mark Pace, Doug Wright, Zach Myers and Bill Riggan.

The loss of another small downtown business "has been a long time coming," said its owner, Andrea Woodin.
She recently announced the closing of the Purple Dot, a Main Street business that focused on providing piercing services as well as a variety of small gifts.
"It's rough for small businesses," she said.
The main issue behind the closing was increasing local competition, especially from a growing number of tattoo shops in the area that also providing piercing services.