Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County went with an experienced hand in naming its newest Emergency Medical Services Director.
Matt Masters has nearly three decades of experience, County Public Information Officer James Hicks said.
Masters will begin serving on January 2.
"I am excited to join Franklin County as the EMS Director and use my more than 29 years of EMS experience to navigate our team into the future," Masters said in a county press release.

The Greatest: Carolyn Wilham

LOUISBURG, NC--Donnie Lee Horton, 63, of Louisburg, died Friday afternoon, December 22, 2023 at Wake Med.

Hollister, NC--Funeral services for Norman Edward "Bruh" Hedgepeth, age 83, who died on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, were held on Saturday, December 23, at 2 p.m. from the White Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Hollister with Pastor Alonzo West officiating. Burial followed in the Old White Rock Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Willie Mae Richardson, age 76, who died on Thursday, December 21, 2023, were held Sunday, December 24, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Al Cooper officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Bethel Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC--Robert "Larry" Southerland, Sr., 72, of Louisburg passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 24, 2023. He was born on February 12, 1951 in Franklin County, NC to the late James Sabat Southerland and Ethel Pendergrass Southerland.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Franklin County's Care and Share will use more than $130,000 in Golden LEAF funds to support its efforts to feed those in need.
The General Assembly appropriated $10 million to Golden LEAF for its Food Distribution Assistance Program.
On Dec. 7, Golden LEAF, the non-profit responsible for doling out funds received from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers, announced the recipients of the Food Distribution assistance, which includes the county Department of Social Services'-operated Care and Share -- a local food pantry.

GIFTS. Above, Silas Pearce grabs a toy.

CHECKING IT TWICE. Above, from left, Serenity Rogers, Sayra Sanchez Espinoza and J'Honesty Smith-Mendez check out gifts.

GROUP EFFORT. Above, the Northern Sportsman Chris Edwards, center, is flanked by, from left, Barry Adams, Laural Mill Elementary teacher Treza Sokar, Commissioner Mark Speed, teachers Candace Lathrop and Melissa Edwards, County Commission Chair Harry Foy, Principal Genie Faulkner and Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler, with teacher Casey Bolton down in front.

GIVING BACK. Orlando Jones with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity loads a turkey into the back of a vehicle as part of St. Paul Presbyterian Church and the Franklin Area Clergy Ecumenical Society [FACES]'s Feed the Needy food donation.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg swore in a new wave of leadership, but not before saying goodbye to a community stalwart.
On Monday, Judge Adam Keith administered the oath of office to Dr. Phil Stover, Dalita Woods and Kim Baker -- who now constitute half the council.
Before that, though, the Council said goodbye to Emma Stewart, who concluded three decades of public service.

WHAT A GIRL WANTS. Hazel Stovall used Louisburg's Tree Lighting event to give her Christmas list to Santa.

Bunn High cheer team members, from left, Hannah Weston, Mikaela Field, Scarlett Shannon and Gracyn Shannon, led the parade.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners approved a rezoning that one resident says will pave the way for more affordable housing in town.
The board also received its annual audit that reflected strong fiscal controls.
And, town management has arranged a meeting with State Department of Transportation staff that they hope will hasten efforts to remove truck traffic from Main Street.

LOUISBURG -- The conclusion of the filing period last week means there will be some races and challenges in the spring primary, while others will wait until the fall general election to be determined.
Democrat Ryan Williams and Republican Logan Davis have filed for the newly drawn District 1 seat on the county's Board of Commissioners.

Allie Modlin of Bunn, with a Teddy Bear given to her by a fireman in the parade

No sooner had the sounds of the Bunn Christmas parade faded out than the reality set in: The local Christmas parades are over, the decorations are up and lit and the big day is just days away.
In case you haven't been paying attention, Christmas is Monday.
As in NEXT Monday so time is short to get that last-minute shopping completed, those gifts wrapped and start baking a "few" (?) cookies to leave out for the jolly old gent from the North Pole who will be making his rounds on Sunday night.

Anyone who knows me knows I have a stock response when it comes to public service:
I'm glad there are people willing to do it because their ain't no way in hades that I'd ever do it.
This past Monday, Louisburg's Emma Stewart got her flowers and her moment, being recognized by the governing board and the community for 30 frickin' years of public service.

Dear editor:
I am growing tired of the movement to completely do away with fossil fuels. People will travel on airplanes and motor vehicles, all powered by petroleum products, to demonstrate against the use of these products. Go figure.

OATH. Above, newly-elected Commissioner Tasha Hatten, with help from her daughter, Victoria Cristiano, takes the oath of office from Clerk of Court Shelley Dickerson.

LOUISBURG -- A Wake Forest woman has been charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, and more charges are pending in a November wreck that claimed two lives.
Jennifer Baker Pearce, 43, was charged with the two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, plus driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, driving left of center and not wearing a seat belt.

LOUISBURG -- Sunday's heavy storm overwhelmed the county's wastewater system, spilling more than 16,500 gallons of sewage.
According to county staff, Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater at the Youngsville Regional Pump Station.
The discharge was the result of heavy rain on December 17.