Shooting suspect to appear in court in upcoming term LOUISBURG -- A Louisburg man is slated to appear in court on charges that he shot into a car occupied by three minors, hitting a woman in the shoulder. Rontavious Lee Williams, 36, was arrested on March 6 and charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and four counts of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle. According to Franklin County Sheriff's Dep. R. Curtis' warrant for arrest, a day before the arrest, Williams assaulted Denise Hartsfield by firing a 9-mm gun into a Ford Escape, hitting Hartsfield in the shoulder area.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

Schools seek comments on proposed changes to public speaks policy LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education is considering a policy change/clarification regarding comments from the public through the district's website. The move comes at a time when the Franklin County commissioners, by switching to only one meeting a month and tucking more issues into "consent agendas" which spur no discussion, have reduced the public's opportunities to comment on public business.   Read More | Post Comment Staff Reports

Contested municipal races promise interesting election LOUISBURG -- Last week's filing deadline set up an immediate test of Louisburg's new mayoral election process. And, it'll also produce contested municipal races in Bunn, Louisburg, Franklinton, Youngsville and Wake Forest. Incumbent Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal, former council member Boyd Sturges and political newcomer William Goedert Jr. will face off on Oct. 7. If the winner of that race doesn't secure more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will meet in a runoff election on November 4.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

Relaxing fire district rules: Does that impact safety? FRANKLINTON -- Town management acknowledged that removing properties from its primary fire district is a way to make new construction and renovation more feasible. But, they couldn't say if it makes those and nearby properties less safe. However, building codes within primary fire districts, county inspections staff said, do serve to make buildings and surrounding properties more resistent to the ravages of fire.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

DA's office seeks school records in Franklinton High sex assault LOUISBURG -- The District Attorney's Office has petitioned Franklin County Schools to turn over all internal investigation records that led the school system to part ways with former Franklinton High School Principal Russell Holloman. Those documents, Assistant District Attorney Jamie Lamancusa argued in a July 21 petition, would help Franklin County sheriff's deputies with their investigation into allegations of a sexual assault involving members of Franklinton High's baseball team -- the handling of which led Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler to recommend his termination.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

County 'adjusts' development regulations LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners made some changes to the county's Unified Development Ordinance, including how it governs accessory structures, limitations for teaching and tutoring home occupations, and making sure its rules are in compliance with FEMA's national flood insurance program. Franklin County Interim Planning and Inspections Director Jason Rogers presented the changes to officials during their July 14 meeting. The most important change, Rogers told commissioners, was enacting recommendations made by the State Department of Public Safety and FEMA, which conducts periodic checks to make sure governments are in compliance with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

Foundation donates $6,000 to bolster community efforts LOUISBURG -- A local foundation donated more than $6,000 to bolster community efforts in and around the county. "Investing in local nonprofits and community,," said Franklin County Community Foundation Advisory Board President Ashley Jarema, "is crucial for community resilience. "Our permanent philanthropy ensures our grants make a significant difference."   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

Franklin County man charged in baby's death WAKE FOREST -- A Franklin County man is slated to appear in court next month on charges that he killed his seven-week-old son. Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Patrick R. Jordan in April, alleging he seriously injured and killed Chozen Jordan in January of 2024. Court documents do not account for the time between the date of offense -- Jan. 22, 2024 -- and the April 21 arrest this year. Court documents indicate the child sustained broken ribs and a broken clavicle.   Read More | Post Comment

Maria Parham Franklin renovations due to begin Maria Parham Franklin has announced the start of a renovation project to transform its Emergency Department, with construction set to begin in late July or early August. This project will focus on improving care for individuals facing behavioral health challenges. The renovation is to create designated areas within the Emergency Department tailored to meet the needs of behavioral health and mental health patients, providing a safer, more supportive environment for patients and care team members.   Read More | Post Comment

Editorial Cartoon: Musk   Read More | Post Comment

Can you remember 'good old days' when phones worked? I could almost swear that it's been only two or three weeks since I saw Franklin County farmers beginning to set out tiny tobacco plants. The soils were pretty dry, the days were cool, the nights cooler still and if those little plants could have talked, they would have complained about being abandoned in such a hostile environment after basking in a greenhouse. But, of course, the rains came, the days got hot, the nights warmer -- and all those plants got acclimated to Franklin County dirt and started growing at a remarkable rate.   Read More | Post Comment Gary Cunard

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, in life and in death, served as a light for many of us I remember when I was younger and I'd go to my grandmother's house, the conversation would inevitably get around who recently died. My grandmother would rattle off names of folks and I'm sure I might have met them in passing, when I was much younger and you don't really remember people's names. She would tell me how I knew them and why I should know them but, quite frankly, it didn't always register.   Read More | Post Comment Carey Johnson

County budget process 'beyond disappointing' Dear editor: I am beyond disappointed in the process our county took on the 2026 budget. The lack of transparency is glaring. There were no open work sessions. As the people you represent, it is your responsibility to let us into the conversation. What are you thinking or not thinking about? What are your priorities and concerns?   Read More | Post Comment Letter to the editor

Editorial Cartoon: Epstein's List  Read More | Post Comment

Community Cares organizes Read and Feed event Friday Community Cares will have a Neighborhood Read & Feed event at 10 a.m., Friday, July 25 at Franklin Court Apartments, 120 D Franklin Court Apartments, Louisburg. Grace Ministries, the Interfaith Council and Blessings, Inc. have donated food, fresh bread, fresh vegetables and a free hot dog lunch for all those who attend.   Read More | Post Comment

TOPS. Cody Smith, center, took home Area IV Essay contest top prize. He's pictured with Soil & Water Administrative Support Specialist Madison Bobbitt and Soil & Water Department District Director Quinton Cooper. 'Wetlands are Wonderful' conservation winners announced LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District recognized Franklin County students after concluding this year's NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation Education Contests. Prizes were awarded for entries in the 2024-2025 Poster, Essay, and Computer Designed Slideshow contests and the 2024-2025 Bookmark contest. The 2024 contest theme was 'Wetlands Are Wonderful' and students in third through fifth grade were eligible to enter the Poster Contest.   Read More | Post Comment Staff Reports

Arlee Arkofa has never outrun his love of horses! Racehorses: A new agribusiness just waiting to happen right here! LOUISBURG -- Arlee Arkofa could not outrun his love for horses. He never really tried. From the time he was 11, the Elizabeth City native loved horses. He earned a degree in Zoology at UNC. But, his calling was the church, pastoring churches in Greenville and New York before returning to North Carolina.   Read More | Post Comment CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

FRANKLIN FACE Percy Goodwyn out at Riverbend Park   Read More | Post Comment

Name in recent story corrected A story in the July 17 edition of The Franklin Times incorrectly identified one of the folks tasked with helping Animal Services Advisory Board member Lawanna Johnson craft standard operating procedures for the animal shelter. It was Dianne Barrett who was tasked with providing that assistance. The Franklin Times regrets the error.   Read More | Post Comment

Walter P. Brown Sr. Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Walter P. Brown Sr., age 99, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Johnson, eulogist.   Read More | Post Comment

MARY DELORES EVANS Louisburg, NC -- Mary Delores Evans, 72, of Louisburg, died Monday afternoon, July 21, 2025, at Maria Parham Hospital surrounded by her family.   Read More | Post Comment

Lizzie Mae Mangrum Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Lizzie Mae Mangrum, age 89, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. from the Greater Ransom Way of the Cross Temple in Henderson, NC with the pastor, Bishop Michael Alston, officiating.   Read More | Post Comment

RICHARD J. SMITH, SR. September 9, 1932 - July 21, 2025 Richard James Smith, Sr., 92, of Louisburg, passed away Monday morning, July 21, 2025 at WakeMed.   Read More | Post Comment

CAROLYN W. LONG LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Carolyn Walker Long, 57, who died on Tuesday, July 15, will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. from the Gospel Unlimited Church of Christ Disciples in Castalia with Elder Shelton Wilkins officiating.   Read More | Post Comment

TLMS Tornadoes take tourney title in rubber match LOUISBURG -- The Terrell Lane Middle School Tornadoes captured its first conference tournament title, besting Cedar Creek in a rubber match between the softball squads. Terrell Lane and the Jaguars squared off on May 19 -- the third tussle between the MAC-10 squads who split in the regular season. But this was for the conference title.   Read More | Post Comment Staff Reports

Alma Morales BHS girls grapple way to the Big East crown BUNN -- The Bunn High School girls' wrestling team secured their second consecutive Big East Conference championship, underscoring their dominance in the league. Individual wrestlers have also shined, particularly Alma Morales, who is the first woman from Franklin County to commit to college for wrestling -- signing with Hiram College in Ohio.   Read More | Post Comment Staff Reports

Holiday Giving & Events   Read More | Post Comment

The Franklin Times PDF Edition  Read More | Post Comment

DOWNLOAD THE FRANKLIN TIMES Click on the headline link below to download the entire version of each edition of the The Franklin Times in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar PDF reader program is needed to view the pages.   Read More | Post Comment

Holiday Events  Read More | Post Comment