Recent Articles

STANHOPE -- Even though team scores aren't kept in an official capacity, rest assured that they were a focus last Wednesday for the Bunn Wildcats at the Big East Conference Wrestling Championships at the Southern Nash High School Gymnasium.
Bunn, coached by Parker Haake, had already ripped through the team portion of the Big East's regular season schedule.

BUNN -- Few strategies are available to teams looking to upset the high-powered Southern Nash Firebirds during the 2021-22 boys basketball season.
Falling hopelessly behind early isn't one of them.
But time and time again, that has been the fate of Southern's foes this winter as the Firebirds inevitably use their tenacious full-court pressure defense to take command of a game early -- and never relent.

RED OAK -- "Championship game."
That's how Northern Nash boys basketball coach Henry Drake said he wanted to treat every game going forward.
If the Knights want to earn the Big East Conference Regular Season Championship, Drake's club will likely have to win out from this point forward.

Franklin County Register of Deeds Brandi Brinson, left, swears in Marian Cascone as the county's new Tax Administrator. Cascone joined the county as its deputy tax assessor in 2020. She takes over for Dan Williams, who is retiring on Friday. (Contributed photo)

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's Emergency Services Director Hendrix Valenzuela resigned abruptly, this week.
County Manager Kim Denton said mechanisms are in place to navigate the department until a permanent replacement is named.
"Moving forward, we already have a reporting structure [in place]," Denton said, noting that Emergency Medical Director Jim Gusler will fill Valenzuela's post on an interim basis.

The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has named Dr. Levy Brown to the position of senior vice president/chief academic officer.
He fills the position vacated by Dr. Kimberly Gold, who was promoted to the position of chief of staff with NCCCS.
Brown's prior work includes several leadership roles with Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC), including vice president of Learning, Student Engagement and Success; vice president of Academic Affairs, and vice resident of Student Services.

CASTALIA, NC--Danny Morris Murphy, 72 of the White Level community passed in peace at his home on Murphy Hill January 27, 2022. Son of Willie Lousie and Mary Lou Murphy. Preceded in death by his parents, Sister Barbara Alley and Brother Larry Murphy. Survived by his daughter Jessica Murphy, his nieces Tonya Clayton, Sonya Alley, Veegie Murphy and Nephew Cameron Murphy, His trusted sidekick Scoot.

LOUISBURG, NC - Michael Dan Fuller, 62, of Louisburg, died Monday evening, January 31, 2022.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Martin Lewis Gourley, 62, of Franklinton died January 28, 2022 . He was born on November 3, 1959 to the late J.C. and Dorothy Hall Gourley. In addition to his parents, Marty was predeceased by brothers, William Douglas Gourley and Michael Jay Gourley; and a sister, Sandra Minor.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Alex Davis "Peely" Edwards, 74, of Louisburg, died early Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022 at his home.

LOUISBURG, NC - Funeral services for Clyde Lee "C.P.&L. " Powell, age 66, who died on Monday, January 24, 2022, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Frank Kingsberry officiating. Burial will follow in the Kingsberry Family Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC - Undine Carpenter Burnette Faucette, 82, of Louisburg, died Monday morning, January 31, 2022 at her home.

LOUISBURG, NC - Frances Perdue Ayscue, 97, of Louisburg, died Saturday evening, January 29, 2022.

LOUISBURG, NC - Arlene Edwards Fuller, 62, of Louisburg, died Tuesday morning, January 25, 2022.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Memorial services for Robert "Bobby" McKnight, age 53, who died on Tuesday, January 25, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Elder Lewis Edgerton officiating.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Warrenetta Massenburg Stevenson, age 59, who died on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.

Tax season isn't something most people look forward to, particularly if they suspect they owe money. However, a few tax prep tips can make the process of filing a return and, if necessary, paying back taxes as pain-free as possible.
1. Call your tax preparer early. If you use an accountant or another tax preparer, be sure to book the appointment as soon as possible because slots fill up quickly.

Taxpayers have two options when completing a tax return, take the standard deduction or itemize their deductions. Most taxpayers use the option that gives them the lowest overall tax.
Due to all the tax law changes in the recent years, including increases to the standard deduction, people who itemized in the past might want to switch to the standard deduction.

Tax laws are complicated but the most common tax return errors are surprising simple. Many mistakes can be avoided by filing electronically. Tax software does the math, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. It can also help taxpayers claim valuable credits and deductions.
Using a reputable tax preparer - including certified public accountants, enrolled agents or other knowledgeable tax professionals - can also help avoid errors.

Nidina Pee poses just outside the bookmobile.

Tammie Piper (left) and Cindy Jones pose for a selfie near the Franklin County Library's newest bookmobile, "Franklin Voyager."

LOUISBURG -- Architects are getting closer to the point where they can present commissioners with definitive plans for a new judicial complex and administration facility -- having a preliminary price tag of more than $40 million.
It was back in 2019 that Rocky Mount- and Raleigh-based Oakley Collier Architects began evaluating the county's space needs, which revealed the need for new judicial space, as well a new administrative complex.

LOUISBURG -- During a special-called session, Franklin County Commissioners approved a broad set of goals, ranging from bolstering public safety to maintaining and retaining a dedicated workforce to expanding cultural and leisure options.
They also want to do those things while committing to lowering the county's tax rate.

Above, Bailey Lester and Sherry Mercer prepare the pieces for a snowman. About three inches of the white stuff fell across Franklin County over the weekend, enough for snowmen and sledding.