Recent Articles

Could it be that this last little blast of chilly -- maybe even cold -- weather is the last gasp of winter?
Let's hope so.
After all, spring officially arrives on Monday, March 20, so there is every reason to hope the really cold stuff is behind us.
Of course, this is North Carolina and the weather has been known to change on a dime -- and give 9 cents in change.

When you're southern, born and raised and fully immersed in it, if you're anything like me, you never think much of it until Hollywood does a movie about the South and you hear these horrible approximations of what everyone else must believe is a southern accent -- and it makes you cringe.
I remember feeling that way watching "My Cousin Vinny," a film set in Alabama that did it's level best to tick off every southern stereotype you can imagine -- from the art that is making the perfect grits to the use of an exaggerated, syrupy twang.

Dear editor: Rather than taking time and space for public comment, I thought it would be most beneficial to review a small but very important portion of the Code of Ordinance, Town of Louisburg.
Let us start with Article II -- Town Council, Section 2-39. Meetings to be public. Provides that all meeting of the town council shall be open to the public.

Dear editor: In response to the letter concerning the balloons and the citizens of Franklin County, I feel that I failed to make myself clear. That is my fault.
I do feel that big city, liberal newspapers provide little if anything that relates to rural America. The editors of these publications live in a bubble and a have no idea about living, raising a family and enjoying life in rural America. That is sad.

The National Dance Company of Ireland will bring its popular show "Rhythm of the Dance" to the JPAC 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 25.
This extravaganza celebrates all elements of Irish culture with champion step dancers and innovative choreography, first rate Irish musicians and singers, and storytelling that is centuries old and yet utilizes the latest in stage technology to celebrate the Emerald Isle in the 21st century.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Elijah Jamison has made the most out of his strong freshman season for the University of Milwaukee men's basketball team -- and he isn't finished yet.
After finishing in the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament, the Panthers have accepted a bid to compete in the postseason College Basketball Invitational, with a date and opponent to be determined.

ROANOKE RAPIDS -- As if the powerhouse Roanoke Rapids squad needed another edge, the Yellow Jackets enjoyed home-course advantage during last Wednesday's latest Big East Conference 18-hole boys golf matchup at Chockoyotte Country Club.
The Jackets are plenty familiar with that track, as evidenced by their collective strong score while once again taking the top spot in the league.

BURLINGTON -- The Class 2-A North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) State Championship was held on February 25 at Forsyth Country Day School near Winston-Salem, and the event held significance for local talent.
The Burlington School would defeat Greenfield School by a final score of 78-65 to claim the state championship.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, have announced that single-game tickets for the 2023 season are on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.
Single-game ticket availability opens up all of Carolina's 2023 home games for purchase including each of the previously announced 10 souvenir giveaway events, the 11 Friday Night Fireworks nights, Opening Night on April 11, and the Mudcats for America Fireworks Extravaganza on Independence Day.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Here are last Saturday's results for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's State Basketball Championship Games:

Lenny Laflamme during a quiz bowl at Franklinton Senior Center

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Sarah Louise Gilliard, age 78, who died on Sunday, March 12, 2023, will be held 1 p.m., Sunday, March 19, from the Ambassadors for Christ Ministries in Louisburg with Pastor Jamaal Brodie officiating.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Mary Perry Strickland, age 77, who died on Friday, March 10, 2023, will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, March 18, from the Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.

Henderson, NC--Memorial services for Leon Lamonte Davis, age 36, who died on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, will be 1 p.m., Friday, March 17, at from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

CASTALIA, NC - Francine Collins Rich, 69, of Castalia, died Tuesday morning, March 14, 2023.

Wake Forest, NC--Roy Frazier, 87, of Wake Forest died Monday afternoon, March 13, 2023.

CASTALIA, NC-- Shelba Jean House Smith, 86, of Castalia, died Sunday evening, March 12, 2023, at WakeMed.

Zebulon, NC--Patricia Jones Raybon passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023. Known as Pat, Trish, mom, grandma, granny, and dear friend, she lived a life to be proud of. She enjoyed a 23 year career in accounting with Westinghouse and was an avid traveler, traveling throughout the US and to Europe.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg officials were presented with more than $22.6 million in capital needs, the bulk of which would go for fire and police operations.
The Louisburg Town Council met March 3 for a strategic session, plenty of it dealing with a proposed classification and compensation plan.
However, Town Manager Sean Medlin also presented the board with departmental needs, including outlining more than $22 million in capital needs.

LOUISBURG -- A handful of commissioners vehemently opposed relocating its veterans services office.
County management said it would re-evaluate the prospect.
Both pronouncements came Monday after veterans flooded the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meeting space, demanding that the county keep the Veterans Services office in its current location.

BUNN -- Town officials swore in their newest commissioner, approved an ordinance that let's them better deal with junked vehicles and heard about law enforcement efforts to crack down on juvenile wrongdoing.
Prior to Monday night, long-time resident Audrey Hartsfield served on the town's zoning board, but she was upgraded to a seat on the town's board of commissioners, serving out the unexpired term of Mack Jones -- who died in December.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners are preparing to present the General Assembly with changes to its charter that, among other things, would balance election cycles by granting a one-time, two-year extension of the mayor's term, allow the town to place special assessments on property owners for transportation improvements and use recreation-in-lieu fees on central projects -- not solely within the general area of where they are collected.