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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Louisburg College officials welcomed more students back to school this week than last year. The college boasts a 14.6 percent increase over the same time last year. This fall, 447 new students have enrolled, pushing enrollment numbers to 737 students.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A commissioner who was arrested this week on charges of drug possession and assaulting a woman said he is innocent and looking to turn the tables.
Dare County Sheriff Rodney Midgett said Harry Foy was arrested with three of his employees a few miles off the coast of Hatteras in the Pamlico Sound Aug. 15 after one employee, Laurie Boemper, called 911 alleging that Foy assaulted her.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
County commissioners are slated to discuss revenue options during their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. The state Legislature adopted a budget in July that relieves counties of their Medicaid burden during a three-year phase out, and legislators also afforded counties the opportunity to pursue one of two revenue options — either a quarter-cent sales tax increase or a land transfer tax.
Following are some cases adjudicated in Franklin District Court recently:
LOUISBURG — Charles Ray Merritt, 69, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. Cryptside services will be today (Saturday, Aug. 18) at 11 a.m. from Lancaster Memorial Park Mausoleum in Louisburg with Hospice chaplain Andy Stewart officiating.
AUSTIN, Pa.– Marilyn Lou Williams Norek, of Youngsville died Aug. 9, 2007. The Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Augustine’s Church in Austin on Aug. 13. A memorial mass was at St. Catherine’s in Wake Forest on Aug. 17 with Fr. Paul Byron presiding.
LOUISBURG — Jonathan R. “Richie” Murphy Jr., 44, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007.
Funeral services were held Aug. 17 at the Shingleton Funeral Home chapel in Wilson.
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By KATHY HARRELSON, Managing Editor
This year Genie Faulkner is looking forward to a hard rain. As the assistant principal at Laurel Mill Elementary School, Faulkner is anxious to see just how well new drains at the school’s entrance are going to work. A stream of water after a rain typically flowed into the school’s front entrance, through a lobby area and out a back door. Last year, teachers and staff pushed out the water with mops and brooms after a good rain.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A local businessman who’s looking to expand his high-tech business said he’ll continue to express concerns about the impact an animal control shelter could have on his plans. Tom Albright said he’s deciding whether to expand his TTI Wireless company at the county’s hub site or at a 30-acre site he owns along T. Kemp Road near the Sheriff’s Office.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
The county’s Airport Commission adopted an aggressive field maintenance program on Tuesday, addressing concerns about pilot safety, aesthetics and economic development that cropped up last week. Former airport groundskeeper Shane Mitchell expressed concerns about upkeep during the Franklin County Commission’s Aug. 6 meeting and former Airport Commission member and Commissioner Don Lancaster suggested that the board further discuss the matter at another meeting.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
U.S. Congressman Bob Etheridge paid a visit Thursday afternoon to a Franklin County family farm that helped itself to a new future when tobacco markets were beginning to dry up. And he talked about the 2007 Farm Bill that may be able to help them even more.
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Contributed photos by Shannon Johnson
COMMUNITY RABIES CLINIC. The Franklin County Humane Society along with Town and Country Supply sponsored a free rabies vaccination clinic last weekend in Louisburg at the store off Bickett Boulevard. Volunteers, including Mike Hindle, top photo, help with the shots — 200 available.
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By Geoff Neville, Times Sportswriter
BUNN -- After taking on finesse-oriented teams Millbrook and Green Hope at Saturday’s Pigskin Preview, Bunn found a willing power-football dance partner Tuesday during a home scrimmage against East Bladen. Just like the host Wildcats, East Bladen doesn’t hide what it does best, which is try to control the ball with a pound-it-out offense.
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By Geoff Neville, Times Sportswriter
STANHOPE -- When Louisburg High School head football James Collier scheduled a scrimmage against Southern Nash -- for the second straight season -- he had no idea the long-term benefits the event would provide. Southern, coached by Brian Foster, is historically known for its power football scheme. But with 18 starters graduated from last year, including four behemoth linemen and star running back Jerry Howard, the Firebirds have opted to utilize a spread offense -- at least some of the time -- in 2007.
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SPORTS COLUMN / Geoff Neville
See and be seen, but not too much. And definitely don’t give any secrets away.
No, this isn’t about a Hollywood star trying to chase down a good time -- while being chased by the tabloids.
At every preseason football scrimmage, you’ll seen plenty of coaches. But not just the ones of participating teams
LOUISBURG -- Head coach Rick Mohlmann and his Louisburg College Hurricanes have kicked off fall drills in anticipation of their Sept. 1 football opener at George Mason University. This coming Friday, LC will scrimmage at Methodist College. The event is slated for 3 p.m. in Fayetteville.
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By Geoff Neville, Times Sportswriter
FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton’s high hopes for the 2007 football season didn’t come to fruition in the team’s opener Friday. Instead, backyard rival South Granville controlled the game from the outset and went on to post a convincing 52-6 non-conference decision over the Red Rams at the FHS Football Field.
$30-Million School Bond Package raising the roof for education
Bunn’s and Louisburg’s Friday Night Pigskin Preview debut pushed to cooler Saturday temperatures
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Although there are concerns that a business development could pose a snag for an animal control shelter, a decision to postpone a Louisburg Planning Board meeting by a week will not delay any municipal decision on a special-use permit.
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By KATHY HARRELSON, Managing Editor
The bell is ready to ring for the projects from the 2004 $30-million school bond and from additional dollars appropriated by the county.
Projects at all three high schools — primarily Louisburg and Bunn — and at Laurel Mill, Youngsville and Bunn elementary schools are finished or are nearing completion.
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By KATHY HARRELSON, Managing Editor
The Board of Education will pursue a May 2008 school bond.
The board had suggested to county commissioners an August 2008 special referendum for a $53-million bond.
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By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A local radio station will begin a show next month giving residents a forum to clear the air.
Country 102’s “Franklin County Forum” — a two-way talk show — will hit the airwaves on Sept. 1 beginning at 8 a.m.
A community advocacy group is hosting a back-to-school bash this Friday at Riverbend Park.
