Recent Articles

Caroline White, Carrigan Ewers

LOUISBURG -- The county's clerk of court, her attorneys and those seeking her ouster were still waiting this week on a judge's ruling.
The week of Sept. 28, Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock listened to arguments that would form the basis of whether or not he removed Patricia Burnette Chastain from office.

It was one of those good news, bad news moments last week, brought to you by your friends in county government.
It was a tossup whether to celebrate the county's action or just shake your head in despair that such a step was deemed necessary.
It came as many county decisions have come lately, with no public debate, discussion or explanation, all of which raises some interesting questions.
The county agreed to spend $75,000 to determine if it can afford to spend a whole lot more of your money to find and make useable a new source of precious water.

Any election brings with it a certain amount of shenanigans.
The November 3 election -- probably the second-most anticipated act of Democracy in my lifetime -- has all the usual calling cards.
Each day, my mailbox is littered with campaign fliers that, more often than not, become drink coasters.
I'm not exactly sure the stock of paper they use, but those things work incredibly well at keeping condensation from ruining the wood on my coffee table.

Dear editor:
2 Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Dear editor:
I'm just an average citizen who enjoys watching the wheels of democracy turn. I have taken an interest in the ongoing issues of the Franklin County Clerk of Court because this case strikes at the core of the democratic process. The smooth transfer of power shines as the hallmark of American democracy -- without it we become animals engaged in the fight for power and dominion over the land.

ANNIVERSARY. In a candlelight ceremony on Sunday, July 3, 1960, Eula Bell Paschall became the bride of Joseph Lucas Gupton. The couple celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on July 3, 2020 with a drive-by celebration at the couple's home. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren hosted the event.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The town's ABC Board has agreed to move forward with selling its property -- making way for the town to have two liquor stores that could help offset taxes or bolster town projects.
The ABC Board has completed the upset bid process that would allow WW Properties and Rentals to buy the N. College Street building and nearly 2 acres surrounding it for $395,000. The seller is conducting due diligence, town staff said, but the sale is expected to go through.

BUNN -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a man in a stabbing case that took place in a neighborhood between Bunn and Lake Royale.
Deputies responded to 15 Queens Drive to find Mark Brodie suffering from a laceration to the arm and puncture wound to the stomach.
James Dunston was charged with misdemeanor assault for his role in the matter.

As you can imagine, we have fielded many inquiries about what is going on at the Franklin County Libraries.
A lot as it turns out! We are currently and indefinitely closed inside to the public. Our reasoning is relative to space to ensure that all of our materials are properly quarantined before releasing them to you.
We make every effort to ensure that materials are disinfected, quarantined and handled appropriately by staff before and during any transaction.

FRANKLINTON -- An officer was transported to Maria Parham and treated for injuries sustained while making an arrest in a domestic dispute last week. .
According to Chief James Davis, officer J. Wilson responded to a domestic disturbance at 23 W. Green Street the evening of Oct. 7.
Following an investigation, Wilson began to arrest a man at the scene when the suspect began fighting.

LOUISBURG -- To truly display Carrigan Ewers' mound excellence, Louisburg College softball coach Eric Lee encourages a visitor to watch Ewers pitch from the protective side of a backstop just behind home plate.
"Look at that movement!,'' Lee shouts as an offering tails away from a right-handed hitter at a recent intrasquad scrimmage at Sheilah R. Cotten Field on the LC campus.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg College's softball team has undertaken several intrasquad scrimmages this fall, but there is still no substitution for being able to take the field against an opponent.
That strategy is usually a staple of LC's fall season, but COVID-19 has forced Lady Hurricanes' veteran head coach Eric Lee to shift his focus more this time around.

TAMPA, FLA. -- East Carolina University stiffened defensively in the second half last Saturday night on the way to a 44-24 American Athletic Conference road football victory over USF at Raymond James Stadium.
The Pirates notched their first league win of the campaign while keeping the Bulls winless in conference play.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Southern Nash alum Zonovan 'Bam' Knight enjoyed a strong performance for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack during their 38-21 road victory last Saturday at Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference football showdown.
NC State upped its mark to 3-1 overall on the campaign, and the Wolfpack have won two straight games -- both on the road.
Knight, a sophomore running back, paced the Wolfpack with a team-high 101 yards on 18 carries. He also caught one pass for 12 yards.

LOUISBURG--Funeral services for James Earnest Hicks, Sr., 72, who died Monday, October 12, 2020, will be held Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, with the Rev. Douglas Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the Hicks family cemetery.

ASTALIA--Ronnie F. Pearce died at home Friday, October 9, 2020, at 76. A Franklin County native, he grew up on a farm in the Cedar Rock community. He attended Edward Best High School and joined the NC National Guard soon after graduation. He served his state and country for 32 years, retiring in 1995. Ronnie was married to Barbara Wood for 54 years.

PILOT - Kenneth Elsworth Tant, 58, of the Pilot Community died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at his home. There is no formal service planned at this time.

ROCKY MOUNT--Funeral services for Joe N. Thomas, 71. who died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11.m. in the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

FRANKLINTON--Graveside services for Thurmon "Vine" Yarborough, 73, who died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, will be held Monday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. in the Kinches Chapel Church cemetery in Franklinton, with the Rev. Eddie Williams Jr. officiating.

LOUISBURG -- Despite its rich and storied history, overall depth has rarely been an intangible possessed by the Louisburg College softball program.
Most years, the Lady Hurricanes have soared to success with a roster of players in the low-teens -- and one ace pitcher.
That certainly won't be the case in 2021 for Louisburg College as head coach Eric Lee has amassed a roster loaded with both depth and talent.

LOUISBURG -- While the public awaits the results of a study that's supposed to help the county identify more water sources, officials agreed to commission an analysis that would help them identify ways to fund the expense -- but that comes at a $75,000 additional expense.
In November, the county hired Southern Pines-based MBD Consulting Engineers to conduct a water supply study in hopes of identifying and securing more of the resource.