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LOUISBURG -- There was an air of celebration clearly evident as several school administrators addressed the Board of Education Monday night to detail the district's "accountability scores" achieved by students.
The scores, based on a one-day test of students, are based 80 percent on achievement and 20 percent on "growth" in reading and math scores.
Overall, looking at grade level proficiency, Franklin County students showed 56 percentage or above grade level proficiency, below the 59.2 percent figure for all students in the state.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners rezoned a property from residential to commercial, allowing a storage facility to be built over the objections of nearby homeowners.
At the end of June, Franklinton resident Steven Hayes filed a petition to conditionally rezone 5.75 acres near the intersection of Fleming Road and Bert Winston Road from a medium density residential use to general business commercial.

While many adults attending the Edward Best School's 100th anniversary celebration chatted, caught up with friends and reminisced about their days at the Franklin County school, many of the kids had a better idea -- having fun! For young Grayson Stallings in the photo above, that meant swinging on a set of monkey bars, defying gravity and causing major concern among the adults watching his high-flying antics.

LOUISBURG -- Charges against a school bus driver remain pending after a more than four-hour bus inspection revealed no mechanical issues.
The State Highway Patrol charged Danielle Arnetta Harris with reckless driving to endanger and failure to maintain lane control after the bus she was driving ran off the road.
According to Trooper Z. Belinsky and Franklin County Schools, Harris was traveling on Alert Road near an apparent curve when she ran off the road to the right, hitting a mailbox and driveway culvert, causing the bus to go a "bit" airborne, Belinsky said of the accident, that was reported around 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

State Rep. Matthew Winslow presented Martha Mobley, left, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The honor is given to folks for their exemplary service to the state. Winslow surprised Mobley with the honor during Dinner in the Meadow, a fundraiser that Mobley spearheads to help small farmers in the region. In the center is Beverly Kegley, a recent recipient of the Order, nominated by Mobley.

Lesley Tanner, K-2 interventionist at Edward Best Elementary

LOUISBURG -- Police arrested a Louisburg College student, charging the Raleigh resident with second degree rape.
According to investigators and court records, Justice Casiano is alleged to have engaged in sexual activity with another 18-year-old student.
According to the Sept. 11 arrest warrant, the incident is alleged to have happened on Sept. 3.
The victim reported the incident to Louisburg police on Sept. 6.

It seems that we're in that period which some refer to as a "shoulder season," meaning that it's not really summer but fall doesn't officially begin until next Tuesday.
Case in point was last Saturday.
We slipped out to the 100th anniversary celebration of Edward Best School Saturday evening -- and the humidity was off the charts.
Apparently planners at EBS have about the same luck as we do -- they planned an outdoor event during a drought and nearly got rained out!

Other than the organizers, I've probably been to as many 9/11 ceremonies in Franklin County as anybody.
As expected, they are often solemn.
September 11 was designated as Patriot Day in 2001. And, in 2009, it was designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
But, it's not a national holiday, so attendance during the middle of the day ceremony certainly fluctuates depending on folks' ability to get there.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners, again, committed $10 million to match elusive state grant funds to build a new Franklinton Elementary School.
Since 2022, county commissioners agreed to provide matching funds to secure a $42 million Needs Based Public School Building Capital Fund grant to build the new school on the site of the current elementary school.
The first two years, the county committed $1.5 million and $2.1 million, both amounts that the board of education asked for.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has filled its parks and recreation director position on a permanent basis, promoting from within.
County management tabbed Emily Lockamy-Gilarranz as Parks and Recreation Director, after she served as interim director for several months -- replacing KP Kilpatrick.
"I am excited to lead the development of parks and recreational opportunities in Franklin County," Lockamy-Gilarranz said.

LOUISBURG -- Twenty five years later, Sept. 11, 2001 remains a day that most will always remember.
Ted Jones, chaplain of the Franklin County Firefighters Association, urged those who gathered for the 25th anniversary of those terrorist attacks to never forget the heroes of that day, including Tara Jones -- who moved from New York to Franklin County shortly after that harrowing day.
Jones worked at a day care at what became Ground Zero, ushering the three- and four-year olds under her charge to safety.

LOUISBURG -- The case against a Hollister man who led authorities on a two-county chase after assaulting a bail bondsman is slated for near the end of the month.
Jorge Perez, 30, was slated to appear in Franklin County District Court on September 3.
However, the matter was continued until the September 25 court session.
According to Louisburg investigators and court documents, bail bondsman Terrence Reynolds had gone to the Taco Bell/KFC on Bickett Boulevard to apprehend Perez the afternoon of March 26.

LOUISBURG -- The case against a Henderson man was declared exceptional, streamlining the court proceedings in a murder case.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Talib Alexander in November 2024, a day after they allege he shot and killed 25-year-old Xavier Clifton of Bunn.
At the time of the shooting, authorities said the shooting appeared to be the result of a dispute among friends at a home.
During a previous bond hearing, Alexander's attorney, Buzzy Gardner, argued that the shooting was in self defense.

LOUISBURG -- For almost 10 years, Martha Mobley has helped pull of Dinner in the Meadow, a farm-to-table festive fundraiser for small farms.
And, for nearly four decades, she has been an advocate and champion for agriculture as a Franklin County cooperative extension agent, also running Meadow Lane Farm -- the site of the fundraiser.
During Sunday's event, Mobley floated around the venue, celebrating and highlighting others.

BALLOONS AND CLOWNS ARE A FAN FAVORITE. Saylor Beasley waits for her balloon from the Balloon Wizard (Alvin) during the 100th birthday celebration at Edward Best Elementary School.

ED BEST T-SHIRT ANYONE? This Edward Best trio was manning the T-shirt booth at the event. Left to right: Lena Allan, Edward Best Pre-K teacher; Whitley Ball, first grader at Edward Best; and third grade teacher Jessica Harris.

SLIDING DOWN, HAVING FUN! These little ones enjoyed the playground, especially the slide during the 100th anniversary. Above: Ezra Jane Saldana Cook.

SLIDING DOWN, HAVING FUN! These little ones enjoyed the playground, especially the slide during the 100th anniversary. Above, Ean Rawles.

In this month's article we are going to share information about a cool season vegetable crop that is currently being planted.
Cabbage can be grown in a wide variety of soil types with a pH ranging between 5.8 and 6.5. You can grow cabbage in the spring and fall, but the fall season produces the best crop.
For a spring crop plant transplants in mid to late March. For a fall crop plant in late August. Space the transplants 18-24 inches apart for adequate growth to be harvested in 65-75 days.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Melvin Douglas "Doug" Hayes, passed away on September 13, 2026.

Oxford, NC -- Jimmy Alton Phelps, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Durham VA Hospital.

West Jefferson, NC -- Wilson Allen Driver Jr., age 76, passed away peacefully at home in West Jefferson on September 11, 2026.