The family of a man mistakenly believed to be dead following an accident two years ago is hosting a prayer vigil tonight.
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity Inc. announces the availability of additional funds to weatherize homes and repair or replace home heating and cooling systems. Eligible households may receive both services. Funds are available to assist eligible households in Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren and Person counties.
Parenting Matters, a parent education series for all parents, will be offered on Thursday nights through March 8, from 6-8 p.m. in the conference room at the Extension Center, 103 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg.
• The NETSTAR scandal made headlines in the first edition of 2006, with Ben Barrick set to face manslaughter charges in the death of Franklin County deputy Ted Horton.
2006 was a year for progress in education, economic development and the human spirit. We continued with new school construction from a bond passed in 2004, agreed to make the airport a top economic investment target and celebrated many achievements as well as lost several community leaders who will be missed for years to come. We continued to face challenges of leadership, economic development, the widening of Highway 401, loss of small businesses and juggling resources as demands for services increased. Here is a review of the ups and downs, the laughter and tears of 2006, with the hope and expectation that 2007 holds a great deal of promise for us all.
• Debbora Schweers took her border collie MaCh Bobbie Jo CDX to the AKC National Agility Championship.
• Local Sprint got a new name, Embarq.
• Richie Duncan assumed a newly-created position in the Economic Development Office as an existing business coordinator.
• Ben Barrick was indicted for involuntary manslaughter in the helicopter-crash death of Deputy Ted Horton in the NETSTAR scandal. Sheriff Jerry Jones was cleared of criminal wrong-doing in the scandal.
• The Andrews-Moore house off Collie Road in Justice burned. The Georgian plantation house was built in 1785.
• The Board of Education approved a 114-acre site for a joint location of a new elementary school and a new high school. The school system had negotiated a $14,000-an-acre price; final approval had to be made from commissioners. Commissioners would eventually reject this site and approve purchase of a site off Burt Winston Road for $35,000 an acre - the Mitchell property.
• In a close vote, the school bond for $45 million failed.
• Sheriff Jerry Jones was defeated in the primary; Pat Green would move on to the November election and would face Republican Kent Winstead.
• Ted Horton’s estate filed a lawsuit in the deputy’s death, naming Sheriff Jerry Jones and the county for liability.
• A multi-county drug bust ended a 45-day undercover operation. Thirty-four people were charged in 170 felony counts that involved selling and distributing marijuana and cocaine. The Sheriff’s Office led the bust.
• A $69.4-million county budget was proposed with no tax increase. A controversial flat fee for waste was added. The $45 fee was widely opposed but ultimately approved.
• Developer Jim Moss approached the Board of Education to buy land for a new high school and new elementary school.
The original proposed deal was packaged to buy both lots off Bert Winston Road.
The BOE deemed Moss’ deal too restrictive. Moss was asking for a holding fee, too high of a price per acre and too much in return in water and sewer hookups to adjacent properties, the BOE determined.
• Franklinton police confiscated more than 480 capsules of Ecstasy in a routine traffic stop. One arrest was made.
• Volunteers in Medicine members headed off to a mission trip in Venezuela.
• Franklin Regional Medical Center confirmed reports that it was considering a relocation closer to Franklinton or Youngsville, moving away from its existing location in Louisburg.
• Construction projects at Bunn and Louisburg high schools were under way.
• Commissioners approved certificates of participation as a funding strategy for a new elementary school.
The board directed staff to investigate the use of COPS for the funding source. School board members continued with plans to start construction of the school in April of 2007, with a 2008 fall opening.
• The Franklin County Library kicked off a communitywide reading program —Project Read — and encouraged everyone to read “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
• Victory for Pat Green, Lucy Allen, Doug Berger, Alice Faye Hunter, Bob Etheridge, Harry Foy, Penny McGee-Young and Bob Winters.
• Sign-ups started for the Boys and Girls Club.
• Stephen Barrington was hired as the executive director for the Chamber of Commerce.
• Angela Harris took on a part-time, interim role as the United Way director until one is hired.
By:
By Geoff Neville / Times Sportswriter
FRANKLIN COUNTY — A reunion, a few farewells and a bountiful welcome home provided key stories during a busy 2006 in the Franklin County sports scene. One of the county’s greatest-ever teams -- the Louisburg High School 1970-71 state basketball champion -- gathered in February to relive the historic moment. On the same night -- Feb. 3 -- legendary girls basketball mentor Lester Wilder coached his final regular season home game.
“I would like to make some money one of these years.”
Developer Jim Moss to the Board of Education
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CARTOONS FROM 2006
ROCKY MOUNT - William “Bill” Haywood White Jr., 82, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today (Saturday, Jan. 20) at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Mausoleum.
LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Mrs. Teresia Solomon Perry, 69, who died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Mitchell Baptist Church, with the Rev. Daniel Lilly officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
FRANKLINTON - Kenneth B. Hill, 79, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007. Graveside services were conducted Friday, Jan. 19, at Flat Rock Baptist Church cemetery. Arrangements by Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest.
YOUNGSVILLE - Carmine Milioto, 62, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007. A memorial service was conducted Friday, Jan. 19, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Wake Forest.
DURHAM - Fay High Powell, 64, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 at Duke Hospice Inpatient Facility. Funeral services were conducted Friday, Jan. 19, at Westwood Baptist Church, with Dr. Harry Byrd and the Rev. Frances Sykes officiating. Burial and committal were at Rocky Mount Memorial Park in Rocky Mount, with Dr. Chet Raines and Dr. Harry Byrd officiating.
FRANKLINTON - Christopher James Watson, 37, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today (Saturday, Jan. 20) in the Franklin Funeral Service chapel in Franklinton, with the Rev. John Yount officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
RALEIGH - Eva Virginia Jeans Height, 86, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 at Universal Health Care. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Neuse Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church cemetery.
