Recent Articles

ZEBULON -- A Franklin County man charged with attempted second degree murder made his initial court appearance this week.
The case against Michael Halston Fitzpatrick remains pending, though.
According to authorities, Fitzpatrick and several friends were fishing at a pond in the 5700 block of Pearces Road just before 2 a.m. on June 4 when Fitzpatrick allegedly struck the victim with a beer bottle on the back of the head and allegedly held his head under water in the pond.

Let's try something a bit different this week -- and it's a new concept for me, so have pity and don't be shy about offering to help out a little. Or a lot.
I may need it.
The goal will be to take a load off the minds of a couple of our county commissioners who, according to news stories, are very concerned about some unusual and weighty issues they are facing.

If you're not a Star Trek nerd, I ask that you bear with me.
In the very first episode of Star Trek The Next Generation, a godlike being blipped into the lives of the protagonists and informed them that humanity was being placed on trial to determine if it was still a dangerous, savage, child race.
Of course, our protagonists did their dogged best to prove him wrong.

Last Friday was the final day of the 2020-21 school year for Franklin County Schools' students. I've been in public education in North Carolina for 28 years now, and each one has been different. But I can honestly say, without exaggeration, that 2020-21 has been unprecedented for our district, and for districts across the state and nation.
When Covid-19 emerged last spring, the original plan at the state level was that we would be sent home for two weeks.

Bunn's TC Davis (left) awaits the throw as Roanoke Rapids' Austin Geary slides during Tuesday evening's Northern Carolina Conference baseball showdown on the BHS campus.

FRANKLINTON -- Southern Nash lived up to its coach's first name with a sterling performance at Monday's Big East Conference Track and Field Championships.
The Firebirds, under the direction of Sterling Leonard, capped off their season-long domination of the Big East by taking the top spot in the boys team standings at the annual event, which was held at the Franklinton High School Football Field.

Franklinton High School's Shamari Holden sails over the bar during a successful attempt in the Girls High Jump at Monday's Big East Conference Track and Field Championships at the FHS Football Field.

LOUISBURG -- Eric Lee knew that Brianna Tucker was an elite-level talent when he recruited her to join the Louisburg College softball program before the 2021 season.
But Tucker exceeded all expectations as part of an incredible campaign as the shortstop helped LC win the Region X Tournament Championship en route to finishing in third place in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College enjoyed a tremendous 2021 baseball season -- one that featured a 28-10 overall record and a solid third-place finish at the annual Region X Tournament in South Carolina.
LC boasted plenty of individual talent to go with its team successes -- led by sophomore outfielder Trendon Craig.

ZEBULON - Joe Gray Jr. hit his league-best 10th home run while extending his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games, Gabe Holt ran his hit streak to 13 straight and Felix Valerio doubled and homered, but the homestanding Carolina Mudcats fell 15-7 in the final game of a five-game series versus the Down East Wood Ducks at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

STANHOPE -- Just like Frank Sinatra, Brian Foster did it his way -- from a humble beginning in 1997 to his team farewell speech Monday afternoon.
Foster's amazing ride as Southern Nash's football coach came to an end earlier this week when the legendary skipper announced his retirement.
Foster spoke to his players and assistant coaches during an emotional meeting before a press release was issued to the media.

Lawson Edward Lewis

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Catherine Woodard, age 97, who died on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 12 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Haywood Church Cemetery.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Arnetta Crudup Jones, 83, Franklinton, died June 2, 2021. Born February 1, 1938 in Franklinton, NC, she was daughter of the late Theodore Blacknall and Julia Lee Crudup Kelly.

Youngsville -- Julie Ellen Jones, 61, of Youngsville, North Carolina, passed away at her home surrounded by loved ones on Monday June 7, 2021. She was born in Alexandria, Virginia on November 6, 1959 a daughter of the late Samuel and Floy (Cannon) Jones. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Carol and Sandy Jones.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Francis Emil Nowak, 64, of Youngsville, passed away on June 4, 2021. He was born in Union County New Jersey on Jan. 12, 1957 to Henrietta Blazinski Nowak and the late Matthew Nowak.

CASTALIA, NC-- Everett T. Creekmore, 79, of Castalia, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. He was born in Nash County on February 8, 1942 a son of the late Robert C. and Nellie G. (Bowden) Creekmore. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings.

George "Bo" F. Hall III, 86, passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021 in Henderson. He was born August 29, 1934 in Franklin County a son of the late, George F. Hall II and Lucy (Driver) Hall. Along with his parents he was predeceased by his siblings: Janet, Sydney and Jimmy.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Isabell Williams Mangum, age 90, who died on Thursday, June 3, 2021, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021 from the St. Stephens Baptist Church in Warrenton with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. The service will be streamed via Zoom for virtual attendance. Burial will follow in the St. Stephens Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Eddie Lee "Dude" Perry, age 79, who died on Monday May 31, 2021, were held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2021 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial followed in the Haywood Church Cemetery.

Tetlow Parham Park passed away unexpectedly in her home in Ithaca, NY on Thursday, May 20th, 2021 in the presence of her husband and her two beloved dogs. Tetlow was born Elizabeth Tetlow Parham, known to everyone as Tet, because her mother never referred to her as Elizabeth. Tetlow said she never felt like an "Elizabeth" anyway.

LOUISBURG -- The dispute between Franklin County Schools and a for-profit group promoting a proposed Wake Preparatory Academy could become even more confrontational in the near future if the North Carolina Board of Education approves the new charter school, and that could happen as early as this week.
The state school board is expected to make a decision soon about the proposed 1,600 student charter school, which organizers are proposing to build just inside Franklin County along the west side of U.S. 1.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County public schools began the first of a procession of public graduations last week when dozens of Franklin County Early College High School students received high school diplomas and college degrees.
The milestone and ability to celebrate together was not lost on Principal Dr. Erica Shoulders-Royster.