Recent Articles

Louisburg, NC -- Caleb Allen Jr., 84, of Louisburg, died Monday, August 18, 2025. He was born on September 13, 1940 to the late Caleb Allen and Arrah Brewer Allen in Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- The much-discussed Franklinton Elementary School upgrade took a step toward reality Monday night when the school board agreed, on a split vote, to begin the process of seeking an architect to design the school.
The aging, multi-building Franklinton Elementary campus has been targeted for upgrades for several years and finally moved out of the discussion stage on Monday. The proposal is to build a new building on the current school campus in the playground/field area.

Above, Bunn Officer A.F. Edwards helps Alex Zaebst navigate an obstacle course wearing goggles designed to mimic impairment during National Night Out on Aug. 5.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council took a few moments Monday night to honor a veteran coach -- and mentor to countless youth over the years -- Eugene Yarborough.
To many, Yarborough was "Louisburg baseball" and now a field at Joyner Park will carry his name.
Yarborough passed away in December, 2024, and on Monday Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal brought the town council a proposal to name the field after a man who meant so much to so many young people struggling with the challenges of growing up.

LOUISBURG -- A superior court judge refused to reduce the bond for a Henderson teenager accused of selling drugs that killed a Franklin County man.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Tyreese Gibbs on April 17, alleging he sold Jonathan Mojica heroin laced with fentanyl in early February.
According to prosecutors, medical examiners determined Mojica, 26, died Feb. 12 from fentanyl intoxication.
Gibbs has remained in jail since April, in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

This article will discuss the fire extinguisher, primarily from a historical perspective. A discussion of the many types, applications, and sizes of modern fire extinguishers goes well beyond the scope of this article.
A fire extinguisher is a handheld device, usually filled with a dry or wet chemical agent, used to extinguish or control small fires. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire. The golden rule of fire extinguishers is simple: Only attempt to fight a fire if it is small, contained, and you have a clear exit path.

David Harris & Reggie Bess

We missed another perfect opportunity to solve one of Franklin County's most pressing and long-term problems.
And we certainly can't blame Mother Nature.
Over the past several days, especially Wednesday a week ago, we were blessed with significant amounts of rainfall with totals measured in inches in many places, especially in eastern Franklin County.

In last week's edition, I took the opportunity to highlight a resident's concerns ... and some county commissioners' pledges to address the matter.
So, I might as well do Part 2 for this edition.
During the Aug. 4 meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, resident Mary Solomon urged the county to address problems at its convenience centers -- particularly the potholes, muddy bogs and lack of paving, which makes some trips to the 'dump' a messy proposition.

Dear editor: I was very interested in an article in The Franklin Times on July 24, 2025. It was called "Sexual Exploitation."
The man involved made pictures of the assault and even had a "live performance." Yet on June 26, his bond was reduced from $490,000 to $250,000. There is no doubt that he did what he is charged with.

SPRING HOPE -- A Louisburg man and woman were killed the afternoon of Aug. 6 when flash flood waters swept them off NC 581 in Spring Hope.
Louisburg residents 55-year-old Raymond Evans Jr. and 24-year-old Lottie Alston, were both killed when their 2002 Honda minivan was swept off the side of the road and about 35 yards into a ravine near 687 North NC 581.
The area received nearly seven inches of rain in a very short period of time that day.

LOUISBURG -- Attorneys for the town of Louisburg plan to move a wrongful termination lawsuit to federal court.
Charlotte attorney Jake W. Stewart filed the notice July 25 on behalf of the town, Mayor Christopher Neal and Town Administrator Sean Medlin.
Former fire chief Randy Lanham filed a lawsuit against them on May 20, alleging, among other things, his November 2024 firing was retaliation and that Medlin defamed him with finance staff and because of it all, Lanham "endured significant embarrassment, humiliation and severe damage to his reputation."

First Bank, 202 N Main Street, in downtown Louisburg, recently held their grand opening. The bank is based in Virginia. Pictured left to right: Tamera Terrell, Banking Associate; Michaya Epps, Banking Associate; Tiffany Burnette, Assistant Banking Center Manager; and Linda Gupton, AVP, Banking Center Manager.

LOUISBURG, N.C. -- Maria Parham Franklin and sponsor Vaya Health, presented a $5,000 donation recently to First in Families of North Carolina (FIFNC), following the success of the hospital's inaugural Stomp the Stigma 5K held this past May.
The funds will go toward supporting Franklin County residents in need of mental and behavioral health assistance through FIFNC's network of community-focused services.

Recently the Pilot Lions Club held their annual reverse raffle. One of the goals this year was to assist a Lions Club in the North Carolina mountains with their continued efforts in recovering from Hurricane Helene. They elected to team with the Riverview Lions, who have worked diligently helping the towns of West Jefferson and Preston. Many of the Riverview Lions' projects, beyond suppling basic needs, have been providing materials and labor to replace and repair roads and bridges for residents living in remote areas.

Above, from left, are Alexander Garcia, Kara Hoskins, Maci Hoskins, Laura Strum, Richie Strum, Jaden Hoskins, Sebastian Garcia and Molly Strum pose for a picture in front of a Louisburg fire truck during National Night Out, Aug. 5.

Jaxton Rogers, Marie Salter, Salleigh Rogers, Fiorella Velez and her son, John-Paul, get some goodies handed out by retired Franklin County sheriff's deputy Harry Upchurch at Bunn's National Night Out.

Louisburg canine Officer Jeremy Horn shows folks what K-9 Officer Trace can do, including searching for people and items.

Candy Collins, center, left, helps her grandkids, Grace and Willow Eichacker grab goodies in Bunn.

YOUNGSVILLE -- From 1966 to 1970, Youngsville High basketball coach Larry Lindsey took 33 kids and molded them into state champions -- twice.
Lindsey died in October.
But long before that, and well after, his players remember the coach who worked them hard and loved them harder.
They got together this past weekend for a reunion of sorts at the Youngsville Museum of History.

Warrenton, NC -- Funeral services for Phillip "Phil" Evans, age 74, who died on Saturday, August 9, 2025, will be held on Friday, August 15, at 2 p.m. from the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Warrenton with Pastor Willie D. Silver officiating. Burial will follow in the new Mt. Bethel Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Robert Wayne Ayscue, 72, of Louisburg, died Tuesday morning August 5, 2025 at his home.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Raymond Evans Jr., age 55, who died on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, will be held on Thursday, August 14, at 1 p.m. from the Rocky Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg, Rev. Rory Sneed, officiating.