Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- As the Board of Equalization and Review, Franklin County commissioners said they will hold assessment appeals open until the end of October.
That decision came over the objections of Franklinton management, officials and staff.
Earlier in Monday's meeting, they argued that such an extension puts their 2024-25 spending plan in jeopardy -- including their ability to count on revenues and make new police payrolls.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners agreed to negotiate an easement with a developer that could serve as the linchpin for sidewalks connecting to downtown.
Holden Village developers need a temporary construction easement to complete a 120-unit townhome development along the southside of Holden Road, just west of Porter Hill Drive.
In exchange for that, Youngsville staff and officials want the developer, Eastwood Homes, to at least grade the area along Holden Road, essentially paving the way for the town to lay concrete for a sidewalk later.

FHS's MacKenzie Allred

Louisburg, NC -- Memorial services for Thomas Callaway Towns, age 64, who died on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, will be held 1 p.m., Sunday, June 23, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

Macon, NC -- Funeral services for Harmony "Hummingbird" Copeland age 31, who died on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, were held 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, from the Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister with Pastor Robert Hedgepeth officiating. Burial followed in the Richardson Family Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Annie Mae Wilder Stukes, age 77, who died on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, were held 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 19, from the Castalia Missionary Baptist Church in Castalia with Pastor Victor Fenner officiating. Burial followed in the Castalia Baptist Church Cemetery.

Franklinton, NC-- Funeral services for Rose Harris, age 84, who died on Friday, June 14, 2024, will be held 12 p.m., Thursday, June 20, from the Faith Missionary Church in Louisburg with Pastor K. G. Hall officiating. Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC--Leroy Morris Sutton, age 71, died June 12, 2024.

He was born in Greensboro, NC on September 19, 1952, to Albert and Betty Sutton. Roy was a graduate of Grimsley High School and Clemson University. He received his undergraduate and master's in Chemistry and a Doctorate in Entomology. Roy was employed by Burlington Industries, CompuChem Labs and Terminix.

A group of ladies from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and their guests went time traveling one recent Sunday afternoon -- although they never left the confines of the historic Person Place in Louisburg.
Their journey back in American history focused on Eliza House Trist (Circa 1751-1828) who was a native of Philadelphia and went west, two decades before Lewis and Clark.

LOUISBURG -- In a special meeting that lasted barely 10 minutes Monday evening, the Franklin County commissioners did an abrupt about face and fully funded the Franklin County Schools' current expense budget request.
The move, which obviously had been ironed out prior to the meeting since there was absolutely no discussion about the change, effectively ends a two-month standoff between the school system and the county.

LOUISBURG -- Lake Royale residents were out in force this week, demanding to know why their police chief was ousted at the start of a week-long Jr. Police Camp.
According to those close to the situation, Interim Chief Gabe Fanara was asked to either resign or be terminated following a private Lake Royale Board of Directors meeting on June 9.
That discussion, according to a social media post attributed to the Lake Royale Police Department, was about apparent discussions to dismantle the police department and allegations of insubordination lodged against Fanara -- who became interim chief in January.

LOUISBURG -- The effort to remove the last vestiges of federal oversight of the 50-plus-year-old desegregation order facing Franklin County Schools was the focus of a public hearing Monday night during the school board's regular session.
When Franklin County Schools began to desegregate in the 1960s, the district was placed under a court order that regulated many concerns like majority-minority enrollment, teachers, staff, transportation and a host of other concerns affecting students.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council took several steps toward meeting current and future challenges during its Tuesday night meeting.
The council created a permanent Economic Development Committee, hired a consulting engineering firm with expertise in water to help situate the town to meet future needs and agreed to contact Louisburg College officials about potential cooperation on the long-discussed College Street extension.
In addition, the council passed a resolution in support of Franklin County Schools, citing the importance of education to the future of the town and county.

LOUISBURG -- Earlier in the school year, Louisburg Magnet High School students asked Principal Tonya Treadway: 'Do you stand on business?"
Without hesitation and, honestly, without knowing the latest slang, Treadway said: 'Of course I do."
They laughed. And, she Googled.
The slang phrase essentially means that you're taking care of your obligations.

Louisburg Magnet High Principal Tonya Treadway hands a diploma to Jayden Burgess.

Valedictorian Jessica Foster advises students to live in the moment.

BUNN -- It felt appropriate that there was a Taylor Swift reference on the football field.
As about 180 students received their diplomas from Bunn High School, Valedictorian Rachel Baker quoted the pop icon, businesswoman and most popular Kansas City Chiefs (and Travis Kelce) fan during Tuesday's commencement.
"... She once said 'I want to be defined by the things that I love, not the things that I hate, not the things that I'm afraid of,'" Baker said, quoting lyrics from Daylight.

Father Tracy Smith hugs son and graduate Dillon Smith

Franklinton's Cora Grace Roberson

There's an old saying that "all's well that ends well."
Maybe sometimes but not always!
Thanks to a dramatic change of direction Monday night, Franklin County commissioners decided to fully fund the county schools' request -- at least the current expense portion.

Quite honestly, I don't remember much about my high school graduation.
What I do remember is that it was hot -- as are most June mornings in the South.
I remember being happy about the journey, glad it was over and pretty terrified for what my future held.
I certainly don't remember who addressed our class or what they said.

Dear editor: We celebrate important days, weeks, and months for various topics in our country.
Military Appreciation Month is in May, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October, and National Hobby Month is in January.
Often we have months to celebrate people who have undergone a significant struggle for equality in America. February is Black History Month, November is Native American Heritage Month, and July is Disability Pride Month.