Recent Articles

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.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is still making its presence known in Franklin County -- especially in the county schools.
But there was some good news this week as the number of students experiencing new infections dropped from the 283 recorded last week to 211 new cases this week.
But school staff members aren't faring as well. The number of infected staff members jumped from 53 recorded last week to 66 this week, a 25 percent increase.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County residents can provide input into the future of the county's emergency medical services.
County commissioners approved $53,000 to hire the Center for Public Safety Management to assess the program and develop recommendations for the future.
The consulting firm -- staffed by former and current EMS practitioners -- have distributed a survey to gauge public input on the program.

It's not often that an employee chalks up 50 years of service to an employer but Charlie Dowtin of Spring Hope did just that ... and more. In this photo Dowtin (left) received a plaque from B.B. Pruitt for 54 years of "dedicated service" with Pruitt Lumber Co. of Louisburg. Dowtin was hired as the planer mill foreman in April of 1968 and had previous work history with Mitchell Lumber Co. and Edwards Millwork Co., both in Spring Hope.

LOUISBURG -- Local agencies combined to arrest a Franklin County man on child sex charges.
Alexander Christopher Swearingen, 29, of Louisburg, was arrested Jan. 20 and charged with three counts of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Charges stemmed from an extensive investigation conducted by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the State Bureau of Investigations Computer Crimes Unit.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Against the objections of nearly a dozen residents, commissioners unanimously approved a development agreement on Jan. 13 that would bring nearly 300 new residential dwellings along a budding town corridor.
Youngsville and Franklinton residents David G. Harney and Steven D. Hayes, company officials with Fleming LLC, intend to build 127 single family homes and 164 town homes at the northwest corner of Bert Winston and Fleming roads.

At the risk of over-celebrating small victories, I just managed to type 2022 correctly -- and since we're less than a month into this new year, I'm going to consider that a victory.
That said, here's a prediction about one topic that likely will be center stage for most of this new year -- disputes over land use, zoning and special exemption permits that, if you read last week's edition, are becoming regular features at local government meetings.

It wasn't so much a request for a resolution, but, in January 2019, animal advocates showed up at a meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, asking for changes.
They asked the county to dedicate more staff, more resources and more adoption efforts at its animal shelter, all in an effort to bolster adoptions and cut down or eliminate the need for euthanasia.