By:
GARY CUNARD, Times Publisher
The proposal to build a new, $80 million hospital in Youngsville has been dropped.
Novant Health, which owns Franklin Regional Medical Center in Louisburg, made that surprise announcement late Thursday, saying that officials have decided to discontinue efforts to secure state approval for the new hospital.
“We continue to be committed to making Franklin Regional Medical Center in Louisburg an excellent community hospital,” said Jody Morris, chief operating officer of Novant Health’s facilities in the Triangle area.
The May 4 primary will feature some local races, as two candidates try to receive their party nominations for the sheriff’s office and two more fight for their party’s favor in a Senate District 7 battle.
And two other candidates have engaged in a struggle for a school board seat.
Sheriff Pat Green faces a Democratic challenge from Darryl Wright, a former sheriff’s deputy and Zebulon police officer. Whoever wins that race faces no Republican challenge in the fall.
A judge has ordered a murder suspect to undergo competency testing, which will help determine whether the case against him proceeds or not.
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher Steven Thomas in June 2007, almost a month after investigators allege he killed 17-year-old Bunn High student Elvira Hernandez.
Posted on:
April 30, 2010
Novant Health has decided to stop its efforts to build a new hospital in Youngsville
Martesa Williams, right, pays for hot dogs that she and her daughters, Meshia and Kashawna, enjoyed during the softball tournament for James Williamson. The event also gave the girls and Martesa the chance to see her their dad and her husband, Sgt Howard Williams, play.
From left, Linda and Sterling Blackwell take advantage of some barbecue and help a good cause as the Franklin County chapter of the Boys and Girl Club held a fund-raising event at Johnny’s restaurant on Monday.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
FRANKLINTON — Police arrested a home health nurse on charges that she stole nearly $12,000 from a patient.
Sherree Lashonda Kearney, 34, was charged with nearly 30 counts each of financial card fraud, financial card theft and identification theft.
Sgt. Wade Bulloch also charged the Wake Forest resident with two counts of criminal receipt of goods and services fraud.
By:
GARY CUNARD, Times Publisher
After reporting that he’s seeing “clouds” on the Franklin County school system’s financial horizon, Doug Moore, assistant superintendent for business and finance, warned the school board Monday night that there may be a financial storm brewing.
Already the news from Gov. Bev. Perdue’s requested budget changes isn’t good, Moore said.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
The Louisburg Moose Lodge doubled as the safest place in Franklin County as hundreds of officers, emergency responders and church members took part in a charity softball tournament to aid the family of an ailing deputy.
James Williamson has been hospitalized since he sustained severe head injuries in a Feb. 27 arrest.
Williamson has undergone two brain surgeries and is recovering from his injuries, with his family by his side.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
The financial fate of a Youngsville shopping center is slated to be hashed out in court soon.
GE Business Financial Services alleged that Youngsville Crossing’s developer, Gemini Real Estate Advisors, defaulted on a $17.8 million loan.
On April 14, the courts issued an order, allowing GE to foreclose on the property.
The 15th year of Franklin County’s Relay for Life begins this Friday with a focus on the task at hand and the future.
Plenty of work has gone into the event, the planning for which usually begins at the conclusion of the previous one.
Campaign Co-Chair Tonya Clayton said the group is in the short rows of preparation and the event will start at 6 p.m. on Friday.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Even with a camouflage shirt, Thomas King couldn’t fade into the background.
During a fund raiser in his honor, the little tyke needing a bowel transplant was the center of attention at the Farmer’s Foods parking lot on Saturday.
King, who turned one on Wednesday, suffers from total colonic “Hirschprungs Disease” a rare malady that prevents his intestines from absorbing the nutrients he needs to stay alive.
County paramedic Brian Parnell and David Sebastian, the county’s emergency management coordinator, prepare hotdogs and hamburgers for the hundreds of county employees who showed up in shifts for the meal and fellowship with fellow county workers on Friday during the annual county Employee Picnic.
Franklinton resident Allison Burkett
A Pilot man was killed at around midnight Friday when he was hit by a car.
According to Trooper C.I. Hundley, Harold Lassiter, 55, was riding a bicycle on Mallie Pearce Road when he turned onto N.C. 39.
Hundley said Lassiter was traveling South on the two-lane highway in the wrong lane when he was hit.
Jessica Lyn Turner and Jonathan Dale White were united in marriage Saturday, April 24, 2010, during a 5 p.m. ceremony conducted at Purley United Methodist Church in Yanceyville.
The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Park Hunter. Music was presented by Kimberly Agnor, organist.
Kathryn Anne Johnson of Four Oaks and Norman Allen Tharrington Jr. of Louisburg were married on April 10, 2010 at St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church, Four Oaks. The 5 p.m. double-ring ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Richard Parson and the Rev. Luke Smith.
Tiffany Riley and Dylan Edwards of Henderson are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Kenley Michelle Edwards, born April 6, 2010 at Duke Hospital in Durham. She weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Michelle Riley of Henderson and Kevin Riley of Wake Forest.
Whew! Much to his probable surprise, Louisburg Mayor Karl Pernell has opened up a can of worms.
An emotional can of worms, too, and one that’s been sitting there a long time just awaiting someone with a can opener to come along and pop its top.
At first glance, what the mayor did probably seems innocent enough. He appointed a committee of council members to meet with District Attorney Sam Currin to see what could be done to reduce crime and “clean up” Louisburg streets.
GOOD MORNING: Clear and continued cool weather reportedly on tap locally for today, with lows tonight (Wed) around 43. Sunny and some warmer Thursday. Friday fair and even warmer.
TOMATO HEAVEN: After gorging myself on delicious fresh, locally-grown tomatoes and strawberry pie over the weekend, I couldn’t help thinking about what a problem the undertaker would have trying to wipe that wide smile off of my face (or the thrill that some others might experience either, for that matter), if I were to suddenly die.
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Franklin County is the ability of its residents to help.
That fact was most recently exhibited in the campaign held by the United Way of Franklin County, as the area was only one of two in the state that helped its United Way branch reach its goal.
And it continued through this weekend, as people showed up by the carload to watch officers, paramedics, church-goers and others play softball to raise money for Deputy James Williamson and his family.
Last Week’s Poll
How did Lucy do?
How do you rate Lucy Allen’s tenure in the NC House representing Franklin County.
The following students have been named to the most recent honor roll at Edward Best Elementary School:
CREEDMOOR —Anthony John “Tony” Godfrey, 52, died Monday, April 26, 2010. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 28) at Fairview Cemetery, with the Rev. Al Thomas and the Rev. Leslie Hartsfield officiating.
