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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County management presented a spending plan for 2026-27 that gives the school system what it asked for, doesn't raise taxes, provides employees with a raise, and lowers utility rates for low-water users.
County Manager Ryan Preble said the budget reflects months of careful planning, collaboration and decision-making.
"We worked diligently to balance fiscal responsibility with the growing needs of our community," Preble said, "prioritizing the retention of our dedicated workforce and making strategic investment in our facilities.

Louisburg Magnet High School hosted the Franklin County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 28. Dozens of athletes took part in walking, running and throwing competitions during the annual event. Above, Louisburg Police Officer Lonnie Shumate, along with athletes Marquis Lynch and Shae McDonough carry the Olympic Torch as part of the Spring Game festivities. Athletes were able to demonstrate the results of their practice and hard work getting ready for the annual games. Local games serve as opportunities for athletes to qualify for the Special Olympics of North Carolina State Games.

ZEBULON -- "Taste the ice cream. Just taste it."
It's sort of the motto that Todd Ward tells anyone asking about Holly Creek Creamery, the micro dairy in southern Franklin County he runs with his wife, DeeDee, and his daughter, Victoria Brown.
"We want people to come, see where we are, taste the product," Ward said in the days leading up to this Sunday's Franklin County Women in Ag Local Foods Farm Tour.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville has hired its newest planning director.
Star Brantley, town management said, brings a solid foundation in urban planning, public administration and community engagement, along with a diverse professional background to support the town's continued growth and development.
"My approach to planning and zoning initiatives in Youngsville is rooted in thoughtful consideration, not rapid expansion," Brantley said.

Cancer survivor Marie Kidd, during the recent Relay for Life at FHS

Sometimes there is nothing quite like a controversy or a crisis to make one stop, think and reflect.
The recent fiasco of the county trying to clandestinely get the right to dip into Kerr Lake has been one of those times, at least for me.
Our county leadership -- after literally decades of inaction or totally ineffective action -- has suddenly realized it is facing a potential water crisis and, if this drought continues, maybe even a water shortage.

When most people get caught doing the equivalent of an end-run attempt to gain legislative powers that thumbs their nose at similarly elected leaders in their "neighboring" counties, there's usually a mea culpa moment ... maybe even an attempt to apologize -- even if you don't really mean it.
There was an opportunity for Franklin County commissioners, management and staff to do that during their May 4 meeting.
Didn't happen.

Dear editor: When my mother was well into her 90s, she began to noticeably decline, both physically and mentally. Her doctor gave her a cognitive test to assess her mental acuity.
She was asked to repeat a short string of words, do some simple arithmetic, draw a clock face, identify the town she lived in, and distinguish between an elephant and a horse.

Dear editor: I announced that I love uneducated people.
My "deer in the headlights" followers responded with adulation and glee.
This response begs the question: How much "dumber than dirt" can anyone possibly be?
It is oh so easy to fool those who "have not a clue."

Louisburg, NC -- Memorial services for Barbara Ann Spivey, age 75, who died on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

Danny Lewis Pearce, age 73, passed away peacefully at his home on May 4, 2026, and is now with his Lord and Savior. He was born July 2, 1952, in Wake County, to the late Robert Pressley Pearce, Jr. and Lovie Blackley Pearce.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Diane B. Drake, age 76, who died on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, was held on Tuesday, May 5, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Nashville, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- Ella Mae Perry Crudup, age 98, of Franklinton, NC, was born November 11, 1927, in Franklin County, NC. She was the daughter of the late Kelly and Mary Lizzie Crudup Perry. Ella Mae died April 21, 2026, at her home in Franklinton.

Franklinton, NC -- Eric Dewitt Coats, 53, died April 25, 2026, at his home in Franklinton, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- Evelyn Marie Montague, age 97, of Franklinton, (aka, Emorie), daughter of the late William and Ethel Jeffreys Montague was born March 18, 1929, in Franklin County, NC. She died April 13, 2026.

Nashville, NC -- Funeral services for Michael Anthony Battle Sr., age 74, who died on Friday, April 24, 2026, will be held on Thursday, May 7, at 12 noon from the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Nashville, NC with Rev. Keisha Spivey officiating.

Wake Forest, NC -- Rebecca Susan Davis, age 63, died April 28, 2026.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Rochelle P. Johnson, age 88, who died on Saturday, May 2, 2026, will be held on Monday, May 11, at 1 p.m. from the Allen Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC.

Pianist Keiko Sekino will present music of Mozart and Franz Schubert at Cherry Hill on Sunday, May 10. The Mother's Day program will begin at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the antebellum home of the George Washington Alston family.
Built in 1858, the Inez plantation home is the site of the Cherry Hill Concert Series and is open for touring after the event.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's new grant writer/economic developer, David Pyoas of D.B. Pyoas and Associates, had his first sit down meeting with the town's Economic Development Committee last Thursday, although only three members of the formerly nine-member committee attended.
Pyoas started the meeting by telling those in attendance that his first impression is that Louisburg has two challenges, infrastructure development to sustain growth and ending the out-migration of local young people who choose not to stay in town after completing their educations.

A DAY OF SERVICE. Global Youth Service Day was celebrated last month in and around Franklin County, and around the world. The April 25 event was an opportunity for youth to volunteer in their communities on projects. Above, Elijah Crudup helped paint the gazebo at Irene Mitchell Park in Youngsville;

HENDERSON -- Legislation that juggles incorporated land passed the Senate and was on the North Carolina House's calender last Wednesday.
The section that would have given Franklin County the authority to buy or condemn land from its neighbors -- without the approval of those leaders -- was removed from the bill, though.
It was a win for opponents of Franklin County's legislative push.

RACE READY. Above, athletes and volunteers, including, Owen O'Berry, CJ May, Chloe Scott, Brinkley Robinson and Ian McKnight pose for a selfie during the Special Olympics of Franklin County Spring Games held on April 28 at Louisburg Magnet High School.

CJ May celebrates a first place win in the softball toss competition. Dozens of competitors put their talents to the test in running, walking and throwing competitions during the annual spring festivities. It serves as a qualifying event for the Special Olympics state games.

Above, Storm Van Loan, right, is pushed hard in a race by Zayde Chesney on the track at Louisburg Magnet High School.

Ava Vick crosses the finish line of a race with a little guidance from Francine Eastman