Recent Articles

JC WITH THE THROW. The Louisburg Parks and Recreation Department recently wrapped up another successful T-Ball season with games being held at Joyner Park. In this photo, JC Wright of the Trash Pandas makes a lightning-quick throw to first base during a recent game. Happy Birthday JC!!!!!

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston RiverDogs scored a pair of runs in the last of the seventh inning and made that stand-up as they beat the Carolina Mudcats 3-1 in the series opener on Tuesday night Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Ballpark.
With the score tied at one and Charleston (22-29) batting in the seventh inning, the RiverDogs went to work.
With two out, Ricardo Gonzalez struck for a struck a line-drive single into centerfield to plate a pair of runners and give the RiverDogs the lead 3-1.

If you're as confused and frustrated trying to understand the current school funding fiasco as I am trying to explain it, let me summarize things in a few paragraphs -- then we can delve into the nitty-gritty details if you want more.

The bottom line is that Franklin County has plenty of money to fully fund the local school system -- but has been hiding behind a smokescreen while it shortchanges schools and students by about $3 million.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., -- Milton Gray Smith "Smitty," 66, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024. He was born on August 4, 1957, in Franklin County, North Carolina, the youngest son of the late James and Pattie Williams Smith.

Funeral Services For Jimmy Lee Hopkins, age 72 who died on Thursday, May 30, 2024 will be held 1 p.m., Saturday June 8, from the Cedar Rock Baptist Church in Castalia NC., Dr. Carl D. Wardrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG - Memorial services for Maggie "Pearl" McCargo Williams, 82, who died on Wednesday, May 29, will be held on Sunday, June 2, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Dr. Carl Wardrett officiating.

LOUISBURG -- Interested parties will have another chance, and quite possibly their last opportunity, to weigh in on the county's budget.
Franklin County Manager Kim Denton has recommended a $122 million budget that slightly raises the tax rate above revenue neutral, increases utility rates, adds 13 new full-time positions, adds 23 new vehicles to the county's fleet and allots $1.4 million to bolster employee pay.

Above, proud Dad Henry Alexander takes a selfie with his daughter, Alaija Alexander, following the May 23 graduation of 50 Franklin County Early College High School students.

Franklin County Early College High School grads turned their tassels, one of the last ceremonial elements of graduation.

LOUISBURG -- More than 100 Louisburg College students celebrated their graduation.
During the May 18 commencement, family, friends, faculty and staff watched 106 students receive their degrees inside the JPAC.
This year's ceremony included gifting of multiple medals and awards to faculty, staff, and students.

FRANKLINTON -- On Saturday, American Legion Post members and volunteers placed more than 700 flags on graves of veterans.
And, on Sunday, they held their annual Memorial Day celebration.
Both events honor the military dead. And, they serve as reminders to the living to never forget their sacrifices.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council all but finalized its 2024-25 fiscal year budget during a Tuesday evening meeting, although a projected $22 million challenge caused mostly by growth pressures has yet to be addressed.
The town's proposed general fund is balanced at $16,304,532 with about $4.8 million of that in the general fund.

FRANKLINTON -- Two residents with roots on S. Chavis Street urged town officials and staff to continue efforts to improve safety on that road.
In March, town commissioners agreed to petition the state to reduce the speed limit on S. Chavis Street from 35 mph to 25 mph.
The action was in response to concerns residents have expressed about the narrow, two-lane road off Mason Street/N.C. 56 since at least 2021.

Selma Hobson during the Mother's Day tea at the Franklinton Senior Center

ATTENDS CONFERENCE. Franklin County 4-H'er Meredith Potter had the privilege of attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. through a NC 4-H teen program called AIRE (Application, Interview, Resume, Essay). While in D.C., she got to meet with the Senate Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. She and other NC 4-H'ers were able to discuss how important rural agricultural and youth development is in our country.

Since my late Mom somehow managed to teach me a few manners, please allow me to apologize in advance for what I'm about to write.
Yes, I know it's rude to say "I told you so," but I can't help it! I told you so in a previous column -- and please accept my apology for starting off this week saying that.
Exactly as I predicted, local governments are using the recently completed property tax revaluation as a cover to raise the taxes you will be paying while trying to hide behind the fact that tax rates might be lower because valuations have skyrocketed!

For some time, I've valued using this space to relay to readers of this newspaper the opportunities that are available to volunteer in the community, in many ways, opportunities to do more than complain -- taking actual measure to make Franklin County better.
I also certainly relish using this space to draw attention to folks who do just that.
During the May 20 meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meeting, Charles Mitchell, Franklin County's Cooperative Extension director...

The county manager's May 20 budget recommendation for 2024-25 proposes a funding increase that represents a fraction of what is needed to sustain successful operations of Franklin County Schools.
The recommendation allocates only $1.3 million of the $5.2 million requested for current expenses, which includes the statutorily required appropriation for charter schools.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A "major" wreck near Youngsville prompted emergency crews to reportedly dispatch a helicopter.
According to public radio scanner traffic and Franklin County Emergency Management, a major wreck was reported at Mays Crossroads Road and Salem Lane at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Dear editor:
Two things were very apparent to me in the county commission meeting with school officials recently.
No one addressed the question of why so many parents are opting out of pubic schools if the FC public schools are doing such a great job?

Dear editor: Greetings from Florida. I am writing this letter to offer vociferous support for retaining the Librarian positions throughout Franklin County Schools' elementary, middle, and high school campuses now subject to budget cuts.
As a former newspaper editor, I sat through more county commission budget sessions and more board of education budget sessions than I care to remember.

Dear Franklin County Board of Commissioners:
As duly elected members of the Franklin County Board of Education, we have worked to serve children well, make responsible use of taxpayers' dollars, and collaborate with the Board of Commissioners to support the advancement of Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- The restoration of a vintage machine that spent its working "life" protecting the Louisburg area has received a Certificate of Recognition from the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus and its old Dominion Historical Fire Society Chapter.
The certificate recognizes the Louisburg Fire Department and the Louisburg Fire Museum for the restoration of the 921 American La France fire engine and the establishment of a town fire museum to preserve the department's history.