Recent Articles

A friend of mine told me last week -- rather bluntly -- that I needed to apologize to 4-year-olds everywhere.
And he was correct. So, kids, I'm sorry for popping off without thinking.
I'll try never to say something so silly and incorrect again, so please 4-year-olds, accept my sincere apologies.
What sparked all this was a long day of dealing with silly allegations made on social media, the scourge of the earth, by Sheriff Kevin White.

Franklin County has had a pretty consistent history with voter turnout; early voter turnout, particularly.
Presidential elections, obviously, bring out even the most reluctant of voters, as election results and turnout percentages often reflect more intrigue in the every-four-year presidential cycle.
And, conversely, elections focusing on municipal races generally are yawn-inducing, at least as far as turnout is concerned.

Dear editor: A Franklin Times editorial on Oct. 3 described "dribble" as "truth devoid of facts.
Did we not hear Donald Trump declare on Fox News to Sean Hannity in December, 2023, that if elected he would be a dictator "only" on day one? He could not rule out retribution when pressed by Hannity. Now, protected by immunity from the Supreme Court for his actions, I ask if day one will be enough?

Dear editor: At its annual Survivor Candlelight Vigil this past Saturday, at Grace Haven Baptist Church, Safe Space honored Dr. Jim Grove for his years of dedicated service to the organization.
Dr. Grove's contributions have been significant and foundational in the success of Safe Space which supports the survivors of sexual assault and of physical and emotional abuse.

Every month during the school year, the Franklin County Schools recognize students who exemplify specified character traits that have been stressed the previous month.
During September, those traits were respect, citizenship and teamwork.
Here are the students who were singled out as best meeting those traits and who were honored at Monday night's board meeting:

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners approved an ordinance to punish litterbugs.
And, during Tuesday's meeting, they rezoned a property and issued a special use permit allowing a developer to move ahead with a potential Airbnb.
Franklinton, said Town Manager Zach Steffey, has been working to keep rights-of-way free of litter.
There's also been an effort to, quite frankly, beautify the town.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County library system is soliciting input it will use to develop a strategic plan for the community researching resource.
In June, the State Library of North Carolina announced that it was providing $2.52 million to 41 libraries across the state.
The funding comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County and its animal advocate partners have made improvements to the Anima Services department.
But, there's still room for improvement.
During the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' citizens comments portion of its Oct. 7 meeting, animal foster and rescue volunteer Jenna Koenigshofer wanted to "[reflect] on where we are currently and where we hope to be in the future ..."

The Antique Swap Meet & Farm Show was the place to find antique tools and other parts to keep your tractor running. The two-day event also featured old cars and trucks, tractors, live music, hit and miss engines, and plenty food and fun during the Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 event at the Gold Sand Fire Department and Edwards Farm.

Proud Franklin County resident Wanda Tevepaugh

Rocky Mount, NC--Funeral services for Freeman Cotton Jr., age 49, who died on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will be held 2 p.m., Friday, October 18, from the Rocky Mount Memorial Park Chapel. Entombment will follow in the Rocky Mount Memorial Park Mausoleum.

RALEIGH, NC--Ronald Douglas McConnell Sr., 76 of Raleigh, died Saturday morning, October 12, 2024 at his home with his family by his side.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Susie Bell Burton of Franklinton, age 72, died Thursday, October 4, 2024.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Selma Massenburg, age 91, who died on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, were held 1 p.m., Saturday, October 12, from the Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Timothy Walker officiating. Burial followed in the Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC--Joel Henry Pusey, 82, of Louisburg, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 12, 2024, at his home.

LAS VEGAS, NV--Tad Heding Krauss passed away on October 4, 2024, at the age of 76 in Las Vegas, NV. Born on December 17, 1947 in San Francisco, CA, Tad dedicated his life to the pursuit and teaching of mathematics, a passion that defined both his career and personal fulfillment.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Mr. William T. Crocco, 78, of Youngsville passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at his home. He was born on February 4, 1946, to the late Salvatore and Marion Butler Crocco in Dutchess County, New York.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Charles M. Carr passed away peacefully at home October 5, 2024 at the age of 89 after a wonderful life.

LOUISBURG -- Sheriff Kevin White called for the county manager's job on Monday morning social media post, calling apparent acts to hamper hurricane relief a grotesque lack of leadership.
And, it came four days after a cryptic post alleging that any official throwing up roadblocks to hurricane relief aid was abdicating their fundamental responsibility to serve the people they represent.

LOUISBURG -- For farmers, this past growing season has been about too much of one thing, or not enough of something else.
Early this summer, it was too much heat and drought, which laid waste to corn -- and damaged other crops as well.
Then, a few weeks later, it was too much rain, which washed out farmland and swamped some tobacco fields.
Pictured (Above): from left, Steve Nelms, third from left, accepts the Franklin County Enduring Farmer Award. He's pictured with, from left, family member Travis Nelms and wife Jackie Nelms, and Voluntary Ag Board Members Shawn Journigan, Ed Wheeler, Tonya Pearce, Natalie Farmer, Brent Strickland and Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell.

Extension Agents William Landis and Martha Mobley, far left and second from left, present the Agriculture Volunteer of the Year Award to MAE Farm, including Suzanne and Mike Jones, front row, second from right and far right, with their family

Franklin County Assistant Library Director Wayne Hunt and Library Director and Franklin County Library Director Michelle Hildreth accept the Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer of the Year Award.

BUNN -- Town commissioners approved changes to its food truck ordinance to keep vendors from essentially squatting around town.
Also, during the brief meeting, they heard about steps to onboard a new police chief and they changed their decision about fencing at a new basketball/pickleball venue.
Town Administrator Dottie Taylor told commissioners that one particular food truck has been parked at a gravel lot in town every weekend, but has not secured the proper permitting from the town.

Franklin County School System Chief of Auxiliary Services Larry Webb, center, helps lead county commissioners and school board members on a tour of Louisburg Elementary School on Oct. 1. So far, officials have visited six of the system's 16 schools in an effort to better understand facility and budgeting needs.