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LOUISBURG -- Just before opening a public hearing on its budget, the county manager advised commissioners that he recommended bumping the county's allocation for public education -- particularly Vance-Granville Community College.
Farmers and other agricultural advocates hoped that the county could come up with more money to preserve farmland, too.
Education funding and money for farmland preservation were two of the hottest topics during a public hearing on Franklin County's budget Monday.

Youngsville's Luddy Park and surrounding area was packed last Saturday as folks turned out for Youngsville's Family Fun Day, hosted by the town's Parks and Recreation Department. The event featured games, live music, and food, craft and educational vendors. Above, fireworks capped of the night of fun as folks far and wide enjoyed the sight and sound display.

LOUISBURG -- A fairly tame Franklin County budget cycle gave way to some slight theatrics Monday night -- which included threat of a removal.
During the hearing on the 2026-27 budget, resident Rosemary Champion questioned about half a million dollars in sheriff's office spending that has been added to the current budget -- after it was approved in the spring of 2025.
"The sheriff's office had no vehicles listed, so there was nothing added into their [2025-26] budget for vehicles," Champion said.

LOUISBURG -- In a split vote, the Louisburg Planning Board has recommended a compromise.
It'll be up to the Louisburg Town Council to determine whether Trabar Homes can build the 68 townhomes they've proposed, the 30 that the planning board recommended, or any amount above the number of units allowed by zoning right on the 4.62-acre site.
As 306 Sandalwood Avenue is currently zoned, a developer could build about 25 townhomes on the site.

Mason Rizzo was ready for the Family Fun Day dunk booth

Someone, probably an avid gardener, once observed that great oaks from tiny acorns grow.
We can only hope that the Louisburg Town Council planted one of those "acorns" last week -- and that what they planted will grow larger and faster than an oak tree.
The council, which has been pretty reserved about this area's growing water concerns, took two steps -- both in the right direction, at least as far as I'm concerned.

To paraphrase the brilliant Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz: If I had a nickel for every time someone has been thrown out of a government meeting, or at least been threatened with such, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice, right?
It's also weird that it involved Commissioner Michael Schriver ... both times.
Back in September 2023, a special use permit hearing about erecting a cell phone tower in a Kittrell-area neighborhood got quite contentious.

Dear editor: Regarding the letter to the editor dated May 14, 2026 with the title "Is climate change "hoax" over?
The letter's author wrote [In the New York Times, Dave Marcus recently wrote "the end of climate change hoax." Matt Huber suggested that climate change is the most expensive hoax in history. The opinion of The New York Times ."]
Wow, was I surprise! I read The New York Times daily and The Franklin Times weekly.

Dear editor: I'm trying to understand.
When I watch TV, I noted that out of 10 commercials, eight of them had African Americans in them and several of them paired white women with black men which seems like a sort of pimping to the norm.
African Americans represent only about 16 percent of the U.S. population, yet they are getting most of the media exposure.

Dear editor: It is obvious that The Times has a different reader clientele -- one who is 'in-love' with the present governing leadership of our nation who has already thrown away billions upon billions of our monetary treasures to weaken our national entity as well as respect and dignity and add suffering especially to the poor to enrich himself by billions and his friends.
Trump should not be allowed to ruin this nation. But are we, as American Citizens going to do something to cut the suffering and show our real colors?

LOUISBURG, NC -- Betty Jane Wheless, 83, of Louisburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 12 at Transitions LifeCare. She was a daughter of the late Woodroe and Hazel Fuller Wheless. Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Wheless and David Wheless and Joe Wheless.

ZEBULON, NC -- Emma "Sue" Harris, 85, of Zebulon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at her home.

Linda passed away peacefully on May 17 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- David Hunter Averette, 67, of Franklinton, passed away Friday morning, May 15, 2026.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College hired William "Tank" Hardin as the next head coach of the Hurricanes baseball program.
A Louisburg College alumnus and longtime North Carolina baseball coach, Hardin brings more than three decades of coaching, teaching, and leadership experience to the program, along with deep ties to the college and the surrounding baseball community.
Hardin most recently served as the head baseball coach at Walkertown High School and previously spent 18 seasons leading the program at Page High School in Greensboro.

Olivia and Chelsea Mullings enjoy a carnival swing ride at last Saturday's Family Fun Day at Luddy Park in Youngsville.

Fireworks capped off the day of fun for many families.

TJ Polizio takes aim at a dunk-tank target, trying to give someone a bath.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College held its annual commencement last Saturday where more than 100 students were awarded their degrees.
Students, family and friends celebrated the class of 2026 during the May 16 event at LC's Jones Performing Arts Center.
This year, 112 graduates walked across the stage to receive their Associate degrees in General College, General Science, Business, Agricultural Studies, Environmental Science, Health Science, Medical Science, and Sports Science.

Franklin County Schools honored students in the district that best exemplified the April character traits of honesty and integrity.
Honored students included:
•Anias Mangum, a Franklinton Elementary School second grader.
•Ayana Morrison, a Franklinton Elementary School fourth grader.

FRANKLINTON -- Granville County sheriff's deputies arrested a Franklin County man on charges that he killed his infant daughter.
John Wheeler, 34, was arrested May 18 and charged with second-degree murder and child abuse for the death of a five month old.
Published reports identified the child as Kylie Wheeler, his daughter.
Wheeler technically has a Franklinton address, but the property is within Granville County -- a mile away from the Franklin County line.

HENDERSON -- Vance-Granville Community College secured a state-of-the-art plasma cutting system.
VGCC is one of 12 schools in the United States and Canada to secure the Spark Something Great educational grant from Hypertherm Associates -- a US-based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software.
The grant includes a Hypertherm Powermax45 SYNC® air plasma system and in-person training from one of the company's product experts.

LOUISBURG -- A lawsuit alleging more than 20 entities are responsible for a demolition that has made an adjoining business unusable remains pending.
Without prejudice, plaintiffs have agreed to dismiss claims against nearly a dozen defendants, meaning the cases could be re-filed.
The April 13 lawsuit filed on behalf of Sean and Christine Kingsley, their Tar River Interiors business, their GK Innovations limited liability corporation and their Safe Haven Rentals entity, alleges that demolition associated with Franklin County's judicial complex caused "substantial damage" to their adjoining business -- which the county condemned.