GOOD MORNING: I might well have had a different outlook on the situation yesterday (Friday) morning had the weather lived up to predictions and the DOT hadn’t blown all that money treating area highways with an anti-icing solution, but, thankfully, all those dire predictions of freezing rain and or snow turned out to be just another case of crying wolf, locally at any rate.
Franklin County lost a true artist over the holiday season.
But perhaps not the kind of artist most people envision when that description is used.
The tools of his craftsmanship were stone, mortar and perhaps a hammer and chisel.
But when Merlyn Macon worked his magic, the results were something to behold.
He was a lifelong mason who worked with both brick and stone and he passed away Dec. 28 at age 75.
Veteran stone mason Merlyn Macon supervises as Gary Cunard tries his amateurish hand at laying one of the last flagstones on a patio that Macon had created.
Louisburg’s Merlyn Macon tries out the flagstone walk he created at the Jackson House in Mapleville. “Can’t believe one man did all that,” he quipped.
If you accept the notion that those who focus on public policy issues for a living have some insights into future happenings please allow my predictions about what to expect this New Year.
The economy may recover slightly in the second half of the year but will remain sluggish. Unemployment will continue around 11 percent much of the year. State revenues will be lower than projected, especially in sales taxes and personal and corporate income taxes, leaving the state budget with a 450 million dollar deficit for the year ending June 30. Governor Perdue has already taken steps to reduce spending and will continue to adjust budgets enough to cover the shortfall.
Dear Editor,
I am writing because there is a new law in the state of North Carolina that prohibits smoking in all restaurants and bars that began on Jan. 2, 2010. This law is called “House Bill 2” and as a local athlete, I am glad that I am now able to enter any restaurant without the worry of my performance being slowed due to lung infection.
WAKE FOREST - Graveside services for Baby Boy Mahki Dowell Massenburg, infant, who died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Lynch family cemetery, with the Rev. Carl Wardrett officiating.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
LOUISBURG -- One of the most important stretches of the regular season is at hand for the Louisburg College men’s basketball team.
And second-year head coach John Meeks isn’t quite sure how his Hurricanes will respond to the challenge of three consecutive Region X outings on the road.
WARRENTON -- In a game of spurts, the Bunn Wildcats had the final one during a boys basketball matchup Tuesday at Warren County.
Bunn, after giving up 20 straight points in the second half, rallied by scoring the game’s final seven points to defeat the Eagles by a 44-38 score in a key Northern Carolina Conference contest.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
STANHOPE -- Southern Nash must not have learned its lesson from an earlier-season meeting with the never-quit Franklinton Lady Rams.
During that game in December, Southern built a substantial lead -- only to see Franklinton rally in furious fashion in the fourth quarter.
It was the best of times, and the most unfulfilling of times.
Thanks to Alabama’s victory over Texas on Thursday night, I was able to move into an 8-8 tie with Carey Johnson in The Franklin Times College Football Bowl Picks.
Under current rules, the defending champion (me) retains the beloved Old Ironsides stapler in case of a tie.
WARRENTON -- Following a two-week layoff, Bunn High School girls basketball coach Chuck Mann didn’t know how his club would respond during Tuesday’s matchup at Warren County.
But Mann liked what he saw as the Ladycats rolled to a 60-24 decision over WCHS in a Northern Carolina Conference event.
“This was probably the best we shot the ball and played offensively,’’ Mann said. “I thought we might be rusty coming off the break.’’
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Bunn went one up and one down during high school wrestling action this week.
Tuesday on the road, the Wildcats were defeated 50-24 against Northern Carolina Conference rival North Johnston in Kenly.
Bunn came back Thursday with a 59-24 decision at non-league opponent Ravenscroft -- marking the second time in a five-day span that the Wildcats have topped the Ravens.
High School Basketball
FRIDAY
Louisburg at Warren County 6 p.m.
Bunn at Franklinton 6:30 p.m.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
STANHOPE -- Role reversal was the theme of Wednesday’s non-conference basketball matchup between Southern Nash and Franklinton.
During the first meeting between the schools in December, Franklinton won the boys contest and Southern was the winner in the girls game.
RALEIGH -- This Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes will host Military Appreciation Night as the team takes on the Ottawa Senators at 5 p.m at RBC Center.
This marks the seventh season that the Hurricanes have hosted Military Appreciation Night as an opportunity to thank servicemen and women for their contributions, as well as raise awareness about the branches of the military.
Louisburg College’s Fletcher Wynn (with ball) grabs a rebound for the Hurricanes during Wednesday’s home meeting with Carolina Prep Academy at historic Holton Gymnasium.
Louisburg College’s Jordan Davidson converts a jump shot Wednesday night for the Hurricanes.
Franklin County student-athletes Cameron Capell, Justin Loyd (above) and Tyler Bolton are best known for their success on the baseball diamond at Kerr-Vance Academy in Henderson. But the players are also enjoying fine seasons this winter as members of the Spartans’ boys basketball squad. Each has played a key role in Kerr-Vance’s success. At the conclusion of the campaign, Loyd, Bolton and Capell will shift their attention to the diamond. Capell has already verbally committed to continue his career at the University of South Carolina. Bolton and Loyd are also considered college prospects.
Franklinton sophomore Jalissa Debnam (with ball) drives for a basket Wednesday against Southern Nash.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Franklin County Commissioners agreed to wait until its next meeting before deciding whether it fills a vacated seat with a board member recommended by the county’s Republican party.
District 4 Representative Bob Winters resigned at the end of 2009 to begin, full-time, a restaurant venture with his daughter in Florida.
Louisburg electric department employee Colt Dickerson takes down this Christmas decoration which was hung atop a light pole at the Franklin County Courthouse. Louisburg crews had hung wreaths, banners and lights around town and along Bickett Boulevard during the Christmas holiday. The decorations began coming down on Monday.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners agreed to back a state application that would bolster the chances that an Israeli company would move into the old HON building.
Already, the county’s governing board agreed to match a $250,000 One North Carolina Fund grant to lure Palziv’s North American headquarters into the HON building on N.C. 56 just outside of Louisburg.
By:
Carey Johnson, Times Staff Writer
A 31-year-old Louisburg woman proved to be the first fatality of the year after dying in a single-vehicle wreck on Jan. 1.
According to reports and the state Highway Patrol, Annetta Maria Mitchell was traveling on N.C. 401 near Lake View Road near the Ingleside community at about 4:30 a.m.
Mitchell died from injuries sustained in the wreck. It was not clear if anyone else was in the vehicle, but Mitchell was the only decedent.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Blistering cold temperatures are expected to hang around like a freeloader, but it may not be all bad.
While overnight temperatures in the teens is reason for concern for man or beast, the cold snap is at least expected to yield a bright spot — death to weeds, insects and fire ants.
“When the ground freezes and thaws, it kills those things,” said County Cooperative Extension Agent Will Strader.
