Recent Articles

Honestly, I can say I don't know why.
But, I can tell you what it looks like.
It looks like Franklin County's governing board keeps finding ways to shut out its public.
So, here's the latest example.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners is slated to meet on Monday, making up for the Feb. 2 meeting date that was cancelled because of a snow storm.

Dear editor: As an education advocate of more than 30 years -- and a veteran North Carolina public school teacher -- I strongly encourage voters to take the time to carefully research the school board candidates on their ballot.
Recently, a flyer has circulated claiming to be a "Christian Conservative ballot." Last I checked, God, Jesus, or any other religious figure, is not overseeing local elections or issuing endorsements.

Dear editor: I write in reply to Mr. Strickland's latest epistle, "Trump Held Up a Mirror" (01/22/2026).
On behalf of humanity, I must express our gratitude to him for taking time out of his busy schedule fine tuning creation. He graciously descended from on high, to bring to light the inner thoughts and intentions of the hearts of over 77 million voters, including those in all seven swing states.
Strickland began his revelation with a quote from Harper Lee who wrote a novel about racial prejudice in small town 1930's Alabama.

Dear editor: The chief federal judge in Minnesota slammed ICE last week, saying they violated almost 100 court orders in the state just in January alone. That is more than "some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence."
Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, a conservative jurist appointed by President George W. Bush, said "ICE is not a law unto itself...This list should give pause to anyone - no matter his or her political beliefs - who cares about the rule of law."

FRANKLINTON ­-- A child advocacy organization presented awards, grants and honors to educators during its annual Recognition Banquet.
FGV Smart Start held the event on Jan. 22, recognizing educators who have made a difference in the beginning of children's lives.
Smart Start awarded scholarships to assist early child care educators who are taking professional development classes or seeking Early Childhood Certification credentials.

Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start awarded scholarships to early childhood educators who help children get a leg up. These teachers are taking professional development classes or seeking Early Childhood Certification credentials. Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Cassandra Evans, Accessing Higher Education Coordinator; Martynetta Hargrove, Brenda Yancey, Director of Child Care Resource and Referral; Donathan Muldrow, Patty Green, FGV Board Chair; Kimberlee Higgs, Breanna Ragland and Dr. Tony Cozart, Executive Director. Not pictured is scholarship recipient, Baylee Fowler.

Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start awarded grants to operators of early child care centers, which help to improve the learning environment for children.

Louisburg, NC -- Renee Reese Smith, 54, of Louisburg, died Saturday evening, January 31, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Joseph Alec Hartsfield, age 66, who died on Sunday, February 1, 2026, will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

Wake Forest, NC -- Funeral services for Johnny Edward Tanner, Sr., age 78, who died on Friday, January 30, 2026, will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 12 p.m. from the Greenfield Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC with Rev. Melvin Baker, officiating.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Carrie Bell Kearney Brodie, 94, of Franklinton, was born July 27, 1931, in Franklinton, North Carolina, to the late Vincent Levi Kearney and Ruth Parrish Kearney. She died January 14, 2026, at her home.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Michael King Jolly was born on September 9, 1953 in Raleigh, NC, and was raised in Louisburg, NC by his parents, Wilbur and Sybil Jolly. He died January 28, 2026.

Sarah Ann Johnson Pearce, 96, passed away on February 02, 2026 at Hillside Nursing in Wake Forest, NC. Sarah was born on July 21, 1929 to the late Charlie and Birtie Ray Johnson. In addition to her parents, Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Pearce and her eight siblings.

Louisburg, NC -- Sherry Stell Bell, 64, of Louisburg passed away on January 30, 2026 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. Sherry was born on September 19, 1961 in Wake County to the late Bobby and Patricia Powell Stell.

LOUISBURG -- Thousands lined one of the county's main thoroughfares as the Walk for Peace made its way through Franklin County on Monday.
The Buddhist monks are on a 2,300 mile walk to the Nation's Capital, hoping to inspire reflection and positive change along their journey.
They certainly left those vibes with folks who gathered along U.S. 401/Bickett Boulevard in Franklin County to see the procession make its way north through Franklin County.

The weather outside may feel a great deal like the dead of winter but that isn't stopping local Girl Scouts from their annual cookie sales drive. Whether you prefer the slogan "It's cookie season!" or perhaps "It's cookie time," young scouts are out there with sweet treats to sell. Shown here at one of the recent sales booths are Josephine Stover (left) and Sonia Gray. They are both members of Girl Scout Troop 508 of Louisburg. Both young ladies are Cadets with the Scouts.

UP CLOSE. Above, Aubrey Fuller, right, holds a flower she got from the passing monks. Fuller was there with her mother, Dalnajia Thomas, and sister, Kay Fuller.

LOUISBURG -- Three suspects arrested during a State ALE investigation at Bunn Tavern are slated to appear in court the next two months.
The case against the proprietor has been dismissed, and the case against another employee was disposed of as part of a guilty plea.
Bunn police, acting on a community tip, brought in State Alcohol Law Enforcement agents, as well as deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to conduct an undercover investigation at the bar.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County and the region avoided significant damage from Winter Storm Fern.
But, the rush of freezing rain, sleet and snow on Saturday night and early Sunday morning shut down some town and county governments, and schools for a a day or two.
And, there were few more than a dozen power outages reported.

Dr. Nakia Hardy takes the oath of office, officially becoming superintendent of Franklin County Schools. Holding the Bible is her mother, Mildred Hardy, while Board of Education attorney Boyd Sturges administers the oath. Dr. Hardy succeeds Dr. Rhonda Schuhler who retired at the end of 2025 following eight years at the helm of the county's largest employer

Mark Speed & Nicholas Thorpe

Monks walked quietly through Louisburg on their journey for peace

Louisburg resident Sue Guerrant greets the walkers with a sign wishing them "Namaste," a Sanskrit word that is a respectful way of greeting and honoring someone in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism

Crowds greeted the walkers as they made a turn onto Wade Avenue en route to the Louisburg fire station for a brief rest before continuing their journey northward