Recent Articles

Br-r-r-r, if there were any doubts about what month and what season we're in, those should have been erased in recent days.
The good news is that all that white stuff -- as well as the ice that sometimes comes along with it -- have avoided us, unlike other parts of the country which have been really slicked up or buried in the snow.
But still ... do we really need this cold weather ... and if we do, is it necessary to have so much of it?

It's been habit that, at this time of year, I share my thoughts about the impacts of Dr. Martin Luther King's life, his death, his legacy and how communities in Franklin County choose to honor and reflect on those.
Two years ago, I noted how important it is that community groups in Franklinton and Louisburg both host services and celebrations of Dr. King's life and the holiday that offers the nation a chance to reflect on his impacts on civil rights, human rights and economic rights.

Dear editor: The subject of sanctuary cities is a major source of contention within American politics today. So-called Blue cities engage in policies mandating no cooperation with federal authorities in the enforcement of U.S. immigration law.
Cooperation has now metastasized to active interference resulting in the tragic fatal shooting of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting operations in Minneapolis.

Dear editor: "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee, observing the burgeoning Civil Rights movement in her American South, wrote in a private letter, "Christians were challenged for the first time to be Christians ... What was heart-breaking was to discover that people you loved -- friends, relatives, neighbors -- whom you assumed were civilized, harbored the most vicious feelings."
After ten years of watching my own neighbors and relatives, many of them professing evangelical Christians, wholeheartedly embrace the malignant morality of Donald Trump, I think I know exactly how she felt.

Dear editor: Just before New Years Day, David Griffin, a Nash County cattle farmer had 11 heifers stolen out of his pasture.
We all hear about crime and violence in the nation's large cities but not as much about crime in our rural communities. Farmers, construction companies and loggers are all extremely vulnerable to theft of equipment and livestock.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Emergency responders descended upon Wake Preparatory Academy near Youngsville, responding to a threat against the charter school.
School administrators switched to remote learning as a result of the Wednesday morning chaos.
"The safety of our students and staff is our top priority," the note to parents, guardians and interested parties stated.
"We will continue to work with law enforcement and will provide additional details and next steps as soon as more information becomes available."

Helen McKnight, who recently turned 100, at the MLK event in Louisburg

Littleton, NC -- Funeral Services for Nathaniel Bunn, age 73, who died on Sunday, January 18, 2026, will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 1 p.m. from the Pine Chapel Baptist Church, Hollister, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral Services for Harvey Lee Hartsfield Jr., age 77, who died on Monday, January 19, 2026, will be held on Friday, January 23, at 12:30 p.m. from the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Bunn, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- David Wilbur "Redbone" Prince, 71, of Franklinton died January 18, 2026. David was born on May 10, 1954 to the late Wilbur Bill and Doris Williams Prince. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his first wife, Brenda Ray Prince.

Spring Hope, NC -- Donald Leonard Mundel, 89, of Spring Hope, passed away peacefully Monday morning, January 19, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home.

Mary Hudgins Keeter, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at Bryan Health and Rehab in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Born on July 3, 1926, in Halifax County, she lived a full and vibrant life of 99 years.

WAKE FOREST, NC -- Eleanor "Nell" Lee Yates, 71, of Wake Forest passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, with her husband Scott Yates holding her hand at the Franklin Oaks nursing home after a long journey through Alzheimer's. She was blessed with peace in her heart with smiles that often broke into laughter.

Franklinton, NC -- Services for Edith M. Kearney, age 90, who died on Monday, January 12, 2026 will be held on Sunday, January 18, from 11 a.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel, in Louisburg, NC, Rev. Diane Dozier officiating.

Travis Cherry, a two-time Grammy-nominated American music producer, musician and songwriter from Raleigh, will speak at the Jones Performing Arts Center at Louisburg College at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 to discuss his rise to fame in the music industry. He has worked with artists such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Keith Sweat, Jennifer Lopez and Snoop Dogg. He also attended Louisburg College in the 1990s. This event is free to the public, and tickets are not required.

"Kindness" was the character trait emphasized during December in county schools and on Monday the Board of Education saluted 15 students who best exemplified that trait. The students honored were:

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County schools executed partnerships that will expand rec opportunities in Franklinton and Youngsville.
And they are exploring a partnership with a local baseball group to use ballfields at Bunn Elementary School.
Earlier this month, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners agreed to lease land around Franklinton Middle School's gym for a public park project for the school system and the town of Franklinton -- which gave its approval back in August.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council finalized details of the community's first large solar array on a local business, ordered a fire truck and established new stormwater drainage requirements during a nearly three-hour meeting Tuesday night.
And, in an unusual move, the council unanimously agreed to ask the state to pay the $18,901 bill for the October special election for mayor. That bill, from the Franklin County Board of Elections, was caused by a state-mandated election change the town officials did not request -- and did not want so officials are going to ask State Rep. Matthew Winslow to find the money to pay for the unwanted election.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's Unified Development Ordinance -- the document that governs development -- is a living, breathing instrument.
As such, county commissioners made some changes to it that will determine how folks can make a living, and play.
Planning staff presented commissioners with a range of revisions to the document, mostly considered housekeeping, so that it ensures compliance with changing state statutes, and makes corrections and clarifications for development flexibility.

William "Will" Doerfer, center, takes the town manager's oath from Youngsville Mayor Fonzie Flowers, with the assistance of his wife, Chelsea, during the town's Jan. 8 meeting.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Two separate cases. At least five dead dogs. Plenty of questions.
That's what Franklin County Animal Services and sheriff's deputies are dealing with.
Recently, a Youngsville landlord suspects a previous tenant of operating a dog fighting operation at his N.C. 96 property near U.S. 1.
Craig Rooth said he'd had suspicions -- as the previous owner kept as many as 22 pitbulls on the property inside cages -- but he didn't think much about it because the tenant said he sells dogs.

Donna Wade at Louisburg's Barbecue in the 'Burg event

Tickets are now on sale for the Grand Shanghai Circus, a theatrical spectacle featuring Chinese acrobatics, dance and other performance arts. The show combines traditional Chinese acrobatic art with modern stage technology, offering a high-energy and visually stunning experience. It's known for its breathtaking acrobatics, colorful costumes, and dynamic music. The Shanghai Circus is a family-friendly show suitable for all ages. Tickets are available online at www.jpacarts.com, or by calling the Louisburg College Box Office at (919) 497-3300, M-F, 1 to 5 p.m. All seats are reserved.