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Louisburg - Franklin County Republicans focused on state and county budget priorities, election integrity, increasing government accountability, and preserving the U.S. Constitution during the Franklin County Republican Party's annual convention, Saturday, March 18.
During the convention, Franklin County residents also heard from multiple 2024 candidates before electing officers and state convention delegates.

LOUISBURG -- It took awhile, but Franklinton was able to eventually pull away from Louisburg en route to earning a 5-0 victory in a duel between two much-improved girls soccer squads last Thursday at historic Patterson Field on the LHS campus.
Franklinton is now 8-4-1 overall to go with a 2-3 mark in the Big East Conference.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Considering the Big East Conference enjoyed such a banner year in boys hoops, it was no surprise when five league standouts were selected to the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association's All-District Teams for the 2022-23 campaign.
The District 3 list featured a trio of stars from Nash County, led by first-teamer Jordan Vick -- a junior point guard from Southern Nash who was also tabbed as the Big East Player of the Year.'

BUNN -- Strange as it may have sounded in the preseason, but first place in the Big East Conference was on the line this week if Bunn was able to secure a sweep against Northern Nash in league baseball action.
Certainly, Northern's current standing atop the Big East is no surprise as the Fighting Knights boast a veteran group of returnees from last year's league championship squad.

BUNN -- Bunn swept a baseball series from backyard rival Louisburg last week -- and made a huge jump up the Big East Conference standings in the process.
The Wildcats won last Tuesday's series opener at home by a 6-0 margin before wrapping up the sweep last Thursday with a 7-3 road decision at Warrior Field.
Following the series, Bunn upped its mark to 7-5 overall to go with a solid 6-2 mark in the Big East. BHS has now won four consecutive league outings.

ZEBULON -- The Milwaukee Brewers have announced the initial roster for the Carolina Mudcats in advance of the 2023 season starting on April 7 when the Mudcats travel to Fayetteville to play the Woodpeckers.
The new roster features several returnees from the 2022 team including top-ranked Brewers prospects Jacob Misiorowski, Hedbert Pérez, Jadher Areinamo and Jace Avina.Misiorowski (Milwaukee's second round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft) and Perez (the Mudcats' 2022 home run leader) rank seventh and 20th respectively

LOUISBURG -- A Sanford man sentenced by a Franklin County judge to life in prison nearly 10 years ago is set to take part in an evidentiary hearing next week -- part of a process that could lead to an overturning of his conviction as an habitual offender.
A jury in April 2014 found Walter Eugene Spinks guilty of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Dear editor: THE PYRAMID
When you hear the word "pyramid," Egypt immediately comes to mind, and its form implies stability, power and mystery.
For me, the image conveys the essence of our Democracy. Stability originates from the people at the base, while power is relinquished to the Congress, and ultimately the President at the peak.

Louisburg, NC--James Curtis Gupton, 60, of Louisburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. He was born on November 13, 1962, to Grace Elizabeth May Gupton and the late Douglas F. Gupton.

Zebulon, NC--Odie Branch Perry Jr., 90, of Zebulon, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023. He was born on September 13, 1932, to the late Odie Branch and Stancey Pearce Perry. In addition to his parents, O.B. was predeceased by his wife, Sylvia Perry; and his brother, Zane Perry.

Knightdale, NC-- Byron Keith Harris, 68, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023. He was born December 8, 1954, in Franklin County to the late Robert Rudd Harris and Elaine Opal Sykes Harris. He graduated from Frederick Military Academy as a Cadet Lt. Col., and was awarded an academic scholarship to Duke University, where he received a B.S. in Accounting. Byron began his North Carolina state government career with the State Auditor's Office, and then continued in the Governor's Office of State Budget and Management. After 32 years of public service, he retired from the former N.C. Department of Correction, where he oversaw a billion-dollar budget. In 2011, Byron was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his significant contributions to the state of North Carolina and its communities, through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

LOUISBURG, NC - Mary Louise Turnberg Farmer, 81, of Louisburg, passed away Friday evening at her home.

Warrenton, NC--Funeral services for Minnie H. Manning, age 81, who died on Sunday, April 2, 2023, will be held 2 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2023 from the Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Warrenton with Rev. MacArthur Mills officiating. Burial will follow in the Manning Family Cemetery.

Zebulon, NC--Carolyn Pearce Perry, 82, of Zebulon died Tuesday, April 4, 2023 She was born May 25, 1940 in Franklin County to the late Gideon Russell and Mae Rue Bachelor Pearce.

HENDERSON, NC--Ralph Darnel Wester, 62 of Henderson died at Durham Regional Hospital Tuesday morning, March 28, 2023, after a long-term illness.
He was born and raised in Franklin County.

Wilson, NC--Funeral services for Ester M. Evans, age 84, who died on Friday, March 31, 2023, will be held 12 p.m., Saturday, April 8, from the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville with Pastor Paul Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Philadelphia Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Tray Perry, age 37, died Monday, March 20, 2023. He was born February 19, 1987.

LOUISBURG, NC--Dale Wayne Tharrington, 62, of Louisburg went to be with the Lord March 27, 2023.

LOUISBURG -- For the second time in three years, a Franklin County agriculturalist is a finalist for the state's Small Farmer of the Year award.
For the past decade or so, Julius Griffin has been working about 180 acres along N.C. 39, converting organic offerings into cold-pressed juices and wellness shots.
His main crop is watermelon.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested three people that led them on a short pursuit, resulting in gun and drug charges.
Franklin County authorities charged the driver, Tony Thomas, 18, of Selma with possession of firearm by felon, possession of a stolen firearm, felony flee to elude arrest, resisting a public officer, aggressive driving, no operators license, fail to heed blue lights/siren, following too closely, driving left of center, failure to maintain lane control, fail to stop at stop sign, fail to stop at red light, exceeding posted speed limit, improper passing and failure to wear seatbelt

LOUISBURG -- Two suspects in a Franklin County murder were slated to appear in court this week, but the case was continued until another superior court session.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Gavin Miller and Dillon Piper on Jan. 29, shortly after investigators allege the duo was responsible for the death of 19-year-old Hamilton Woods Jr.

CHAPEL HILL -- Bunn's Anna Dodson was among the nearly 200 Carolina medical students who matched for their residency programs, signifying the end of their time in medical school and the start of a new chapter in their careers.
But Dodson hasn't always seen herself as a doctor.

LOUISBURG -- Friends, family and Franklin County staff said goodbye to its economic development director during a retirement event that celebrated Richie Duncan's nearly 20 years of service.
Her last official day is March 31.

Franklin County Relay for Life held the Cancer Survivor Drive-through dinner Saturday, March 25, at Maria Parham Franklin, Louisburg. The main Franklin County Relay Event will be 6 - 10 p.m., Friday, April 28, at the Bunn High School football stadium. (Above) Armenta Eaton and Danette Cheatham take a quick break from volunteering.