Recent Articles

FRANKLINTON, NC--Bennie Junior Long, 63, died September 28, 2024 at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Bennie was born on April 3, 1961 to the late Wilbert and Lucy Smith Long. In addition to his parents, Bennie was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Stallings.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Charles Kenneth Parent, Sr., 71, died September 27, 2024 at his home in Franklinton. Charles was born on January 10, 1953 in Easton, PA to the late Anthony and Viola Sullivan Parent.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Jairns Arch "Punk" Redmond, age 69, who died on Saturday, September 28, 2024, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, October 5, from the Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Kittrell with Rev. Marcus Dunston-Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Willie Cornelius Ruffin Jr., age 102, who died on Thursday, September 26, 2024, will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, October 5, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Manasseh Church Cemetery, Franklinton, NC.

LOUISBURG, NC--Mrs. Shirley G. Marshall, 89 of Louisburg, passed away peacefully shortly after midnight on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was born on September 6, 1935 in Granville County, N.C. to the late Mortiamon Robert and Nora Turner Garner.

LOUISBURG -- Bunn, Louisburg and Franklin County are all driving to the hole in their efforts to build basketball courts.
In the spring, United Way of Franklin County approached Bunn, Franklinton and Louisburg leaders about working together to build a basketball court and STEM-inspired playground in each of those municipalities.
The initial location in Franklinton didn't work out, but the fallback was Franklinton Park -- which is owned by the county and required their approval.

RALEIGH -- Former Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court Patricia Chastain had her day before the North Carolina Supreme Court last week, asking chief justices to reverse a trial court and appeals court decision that ousted her from office.
At the heart of the argument Matt Ballew presented to the court on Sept. 19 was that Superior Court Judge Thomas Lock was not the judge who should have been ruling in Chastain's case, but, if he was, Chastain's actions did not rise to the constitutional level of corruption or malpractice.

SUN'S OUT. BUNN'S OUT. Bunn held its Bunn Fun Day last Saturday, drawing tons of people downtown for the community event. The annual event featured something for everyone, including opportunities to paint, hitch a ride on the train that weaved its way around and through the event, bounce houses and all sorts of inflatable games, from soccer to basketball.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners have approved bids for both work and play.
First, commissioners awarded a bid to a Raleigh-based company to build a road and other infrastructure to serve Phase 2 of its Triangle North Franklin Business Park.
Then, commissioners approved a bid to build the Epsom Park.

The 2024 graduates of Franklin County high schools racked up more than $10 million in scholarship offers to continue their educations.
Here's a quick look at where the grads of 2024 are headed:

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County leaders have promised to get back to a resident who questioned EMS's transport policy.
During the public comments portion of the board's Sept. 16 meeting, Franklinton resident Leslie Joyner said the county's transport policy is keeping him from his preferred destination.

Each September for the last several years, the state of North Carolina has released what it calls its Accountability presentation for public schools.
But what do those rather complex statistics -- which were fully detailed in last week's edition -- actually mean for parents and taxpayers?
With that question in mind, here's what Franklin County Schools' Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler had to say:
"I'd like to point out that the state's accountability model is based on one test given on one day in each subject area.

The Margaret Hilpert Scholarship is made possible by proceeds from the annual quilt raffle sponsored by the Quilt Trails of the Tar & Roanoke Rivers. Quilter Beverly Wilson of the Seven Paths community donated this year's quilt valued at $1,000. The quilt is a Chevron design (98 inches x 72 inches) in yellow, gray, black and white featuring daisies and honeybees in the border. You can view the Chevron Quilt and purchase raffle tickets on the Quilt Trails website, https://quilttrailsenc.org//events.aspx, or by emailing admin@quilttrailsenc.org.

Sometimes, when it's late at night and quiet, I wonder if ace reporter Carey Johnson and I are wasting our time and energy researching and writing about what government says it's going to do.
So often government, especially locally, doesn't do what it says it's going to do -- and that's frustrating.
Let me explain:

I know what you're thinking: Is it possible to write a story or column about Youngsville and NOT talk about downtown or surrounding community traffic?
The answer is: Yes ... and no.
So, here's proof:
• The police department just added a new officer to its ranks, swearing in Mason Witte.

Dear editor:
In late 1890, control of the U.S. Senate depended on who South Dakota would select to represent them. President Benjamin Harrison, a Republican, had lost the popular vote in 1888, but the Electoral College had given him the victory (just as Hillary Clinton received 3 million more votes than her opponent in 2016, but still lost the election).

Dear editor: It truly does take a village! Many citizens made it possible for Kamliah Perry to get her car up and running after finding out she had been sold a car with a blown head gasket and subsequent engine damage. (See previous letter to editor in the July 25 edition of The Franklin Times.)
Some folks helped with advice and support, 20 individuals made generous cash contributions as did the United Way community and some, namely Greg and Keith Smith of Pete Smith Automotive, contributed the labor necessary to install a new/used engine.

Dear editor: It was interesting to study the school accountability numbers in The Franklin Times last week. The results were interesting and demonstrated improvements needed in most of the schools. I have limited knowledge of the school system in Franklin County, but I do see many of the challenges facing our educators.
My question is this. How will electric school buses improve the performance of these schools and aid the teachers in doing their job?

FUN FOR ALL. Franklin County Library Outreach Coordinator Ebonie Alston shares some library items and information with Sammie Evans and his daughter, Aubre.

Noah Sullivan and Marissa Hines grab some of the goodies from Maria Garcia and her 3 Stars Kettle Corn, which hand prepares a variety of kettle corn for festivals, events and farmers markets.

BUNN -- Two years ago, Bunn pulled off one of the biggest football upsets in recent Big East Conference memory when the Wildcats stunned Rocky Mount at home.
RM returned the favor last season and was considered the clear-cut favorite for the rivalry's latest installment last Friday night at the BHS Football Field.
Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats were in position to possibly pull off another unlikely triumph -- but that was before the Gryphons began to flex their offensive muscles en route to earning a 34-7 decision over the Wildcats in the league opener for both clubs.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Southern Nash and Nash Central were expected to joust for the Big East Conference girls golf team championship this fall -- and the clubs took turns into the opening week of the season exchanging blows.
Southern claimed the inaugural standings event last week, but Nash Central returned the favor Monday during nine-hole action at The River Golf Club near Bunn.
Central closed with 158 strokes -- nine ahead of the defending league title holder Ladybirds.

ROCKY MOUNT -- With superstar and defending champion Brinkley Robinson sidelined by illness, the top girls spot at the most recent Big East Conference cross country event was suddenly up for grabs.
Robinson, Franklinton's elite-level sophomore, is expected back soon, but her unavailability last week suddenly made things interesting in the girls event at Rocky Mount High School.