Recent Articles

A vision, years of hard work, a commitment to Franklin County and some state money from a state that often seems clueless are coming together to make something all of us can be proud of -- and for which future generations may applaud our collective vision.
If you read last week's edition you know that efforts are underway to create Franklin County's first public nature preserve on a 134-acre tract at West River and Ballard Pruitt roads which is commonly referred to as the Annie Edwards property.

LOUISBURG -- A legal fight that got a clerk of superior court removed from office -- permanently -- was set for a hearing on Friday.
But, Patricia Chastain's attorneys have asked to continue the matter for a later date because of personal holiday vacation conflicts.
In July 2020, Louisburg attorney Jeffrey Scott Thompson petitioned the court to remove Chastain from office -- alleging she was guilty of egregious and erratic behavior that should bar her from the post.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police said they are moving closer to resolving a Thanksgiving 2024 murder.
Police responded to a call of shots being fired at the Franklin Court Apartments the evening of Nov. 26, 2024, finding Christian Alston suffering from a gunshot wound.
The 24-year-old was taken to WakeMed where he died from his injuries.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County management is set to open bids on projects next month that will re-shape the courthouse annex in Louisburg and emergency services and senior care in Franklinton.
The county hired Oakley Collier Architects in the spring of 2019 to assess their facilities needs.
Courthouse staff said they needed more space.

Taylor Joyner asks Hollie Proctor some questions, judging her knowledge about sheep and her ability to handle and care for the animals. Those skills were on display Aug. 9 during the Franklin County Fun 4-H Livestock Show at Wildwynn Stables in Youngsville.

FRANKLINTON -- Following a closed session, town commissioners took two actions to bolster partnerships with Franklin County public education.
First, Franklinton commissioners agreed to support the school system's efforts to secure a needs-based grant to build a new Franklinton Elementary School -- essentially on-site.
Then, the board authorized Town Manager Zach Steffey and Town Attorney Brian Pridgen to sign an agreement with the school system to create a community park on Franklinton Middle School athletic property that would include shared use areas and amenities for the schools and the public.

Daniel Escamilla and son, Thiago

Green beans are a common staple in households across the country. Green beans, which may also be called "string beans" (because of the fibrous string that ran along the seam of the bean pod in many earlier varieties) or snap beans (because of the familiar 'snapping' sound heard when the beans are broken) are not always green despite their name, they can also be yellow or purple in color.

LOUISBURG -- Parents of a Wake Preparatory Academy parents claim the school and a teacher are guilty of corporal punishment and hazing, as well as indirect activity that harmed their child and others.
The case -- which seeks a jury trial and at least $75,000 in damages -- remains pending in Franklin County Civil Superior Court.
"Kids should be safe, and feel safe, in schools," said Durham attorney Daniel Meier, who filed the lawsuit on May 28 on behalf of the student's father.

At a recent town government meeting, I froze. I'm not afraid to admit it.
But, it also made me think of how I might be able to help.
I have not yet made a decision, yet, on whether I'll follow through on this, but sometimes, it's important to have the conversation -- even when you don't know all the answers.

Dear editor: On April 4, 1968, biblical scholar Dennis MacDonald was attending a talk at extreme fundamentalist Bob Jones University, where he was a senior. The presentation was given by John Stormer, an author and seminal figure in the radical right-wing movement. Most of the student body and faculty were there.
After the speech, Bob Jones Jr. approached the podium and announced that Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot. President Johnson had asked that universities fly their flags at half mast, but Jones declared that Bob Jones University would not lower their flag for an apostate.

Dear editor: Great article on school board planning for new Franklinton Elementary School.
For people like me that attended original school, BF Person Albion Black School, which became Franklinton Elementary School after School Desegregation.
I'm wondering in new Franklinton Elementary School construction will there be some material from original BF Person Albion Black School included in new construction?

LOUISBURG -- Interim Animal Services Director Jerry Jones is set to meet with county management this week -- updating them on what's happened during his tenure and the direction of the shelter in the future.
During Monday's meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Board, members said that future should come under Jones' direction -- permanently.
Former county manager Kim Denton tabbed Jones as interim director last September following a shake-up prompted by a state investigation.

LAKE ROYALE -- Authorities are looking for suspects who shot into a home and nearly struck a four-year-old.
No injuries have been reported, though, in the Monday night incident.
Authorities have also clarified that the incident appears to be isolated and there is no current threat to the gated community at large.
According to a Lake Royale Police Department, officers, with the aid of sheriff's deputies, were called out to multiple reports of shots being fired at home on Shawnee Drive just before 9 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale now for Louisburg College's 68th Allen de Hart Concert Series. This year's series includes 10 performances from a wide variety of entertainers.
•Andrew Stanley - Sept. 12 Andrew Stanley is fast-rising stand-up comedian who has been performing all over the country since 2016. His unique perspective pairs well with his dry delivery and observational nature.

Dawson Proctor shows off a sheep he displayed during the Franklin County Fun 4-H Livestock Show at Wildwynn Stables in Youngsville. Nearly 30 kids participated in the show, where they got to demonstrate their knowledge of animals and their ability to handle and care for them in an informal environment.

Fletcher Cross shows off his chicken

Holly Thornburg helps 4-H Extension Agent Meg Wyatt organize prizes

Above, Taylor Joyner judges Nolan Cross.

Demolition efforts began in earnest this week to clear the way for a proposed and controversial three-story courthouse annex in downtown Louisburg. In the photo above, a large track loader's bucket is about to pull down the Nash Street side of the former Ford Insurance Agency building across from Louisburg town hall.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Tashia Jacobs, age 52, who died on Sunday, August 24, 2025, will be held on Tuesday, September 2, at 12 p.m. from the Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson with Pastor Charles Thompson, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Sandy Grove Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Dorothy Ann Lassiter Spivey, age 75, who died on Monday, August 25, 2025, will be held on Friday, August 29, at 11:30 a.m. at the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC with Pastor John Hopkins, officiating. Burial will follow in The Spivey Gardens.

Nashville, NC -- Funeral services for Adolph Freeman, age 76, who died on Tuesday, July 29, were held Saturday, August 2, at 12 p.m., from the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville with Pastor Jack Reese, Jr., officiating. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery.