Recent Articles

Dear editor: I am surprised that Robert Strickland responded to my letter in The Franklin Times in such a manner.
I have always thought, no matter your religious conviction, that your conscience was between you and God. Morality and the word of law are determined here on earth.

Dear editor: In a recent editorial section of The Franklin Times, one reader took issue with the handling of the long running Patricia Chastain, Clerk of Franklin County court case, and went as far as to boldly say the case had been "mishandled by the courts," and I believe this reader is on to something.
Litigation of Chastain's alleged misconduct has been volleyed back and forth across the indecisive N.C. court system like Forrest Gump's ping pong ball, and to this day no written order has been entered to bring the issue to an end.

Dear editor: Robert Strickland's "letter to the editor" in last week's issue of The Times was outstanding in analyzing our political status. I wonder if all of our voters will absorb this info and give their opinions on what he stated.
I suppose "Trump's cult" will continue to watch the "mealy mouth XXX" continue to destroy this country and vote their conscience, that is, as Robert said, "if they can find it".

YOUNGSVILLE -- After a national search for its next town manager, Youngsville officials decided to keep it local.
Following a Nov. 24 special-called meeting to interview candidates, the board selected Will Doerfer, elevating him from his assistant town manager post.
The decision, said Mayor Fonzie Flowers, followed an exhaustive national recruitment process designed to identify the most qualified and visionary leader for our growing community.

Wendell, NC -- Funeral services for Shirley Ann Tucker , age 67, who died on Friday, November 28, 2025, will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC with Min. Bobby Gaye, eulogist.

Oceanview, DE/Hollister, NC -- Funeral services for Lockie Ray "Lucky" Richardson, age 66, who died on Friday, November 21, 2025, will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 11 a.m. from the Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Warrenton with Rev. Michael Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Walter's Chapel Church Cemetery.

Castalia, NC -- Funeral services for Rev. John Williams, age 83, who died on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, will be held on Sunday, December 7, at 1 p.m. from the Gillfield Missionary Baptist Church in Castalia with Pastor Melvin Johnson officiating.

Castalia, NC -- Funeral services for Charlene Strickland, age 77, who died on Thursday, November 27, 2025, will be held on Thursday, December 4, at 12 p.m. from the Castalia Baptist Church in Castalia, NC with Rev. Carlyle Hall officiating.

Louisburg, NC -- Viewing for Willard Allen Jr., age 82, who died on Friday, November 21, 2025 was held on Sunday, November 30, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Archie Lee Silver, age 76, who died on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, were held on Saturday, November 29 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Elder Ron Clifton officiating.

Rocky Mount, NC -- Graveside services for Toy Ellis Birch, age 94, who died on Saturday, November 22, 2025, were held on Friday, November 28, at 1 p.m. at the Ellis Family Cemetery in Louisburg.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Funeral services for Clarence "Bay Bay" Perry, age 61, who died on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, were held on Monday, November 17, at 12 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Evangelist Gertrude Jones, eulogist and Rev. Michael Alston presiding.

Castalia, NC -- Grover Kirk Collins, 66, of Castalia, NC went home to be with the Lord on November 22, 2025. He was born on March 23, 1959, to the late Grover and Dorine Collins.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Martha Freeman Davis, 88, surrounded by her loving family, peacefully passed away on November 24, 2025 at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh. Martha was born on October 11, 1937 to the late Numa and Margaret Holden Freeman.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Maple Springs Baptist Church with the Reverend Jason Havens officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church following the committal.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County is three years into a clinical trial study to mitigate cardiac arrest, and the prognosis is positive, emergency medical services staff and leaders say.
Three years ago, Franklin County and its emergency responders began a trial called RACE CARS, Randomized Cluster Evaluation of Cardiac Arrest Systems.
Essentially, partners focused on three intervention goals:

DURHAM -- Two of Franklin County's finest were recognized for their lives of service, both earning the President's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Educator Wendell Tabb and author, motivational speaker and consultant Tensie Taylor received the President's Lifetime Achievement Award -- the highest honor within the President's Volunteer Service Award program.
The "President's Lifetime Achievement Award" is an honor given through the President's Volunteer Service Award program," explained Dr. Bobbie Richardson, who nominated them both.

FRANKLINTON -- With conditions, Franklinton officials approved a special use permit that will allow Franklin County Schools to better treat young students with mental health issues.
Already, Vine Academy, provides academics, behavior, social and emotional skills to sixth- through 12th-graders through an alternative learning program at their space on the Franklinton Middle School campus.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklin County residents and visitors will have plenty of chances to ring in the holiday season.
• Franklinton gets things started with its Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Market on Saturday, Nov. 29, in front of Franklinton Middle School. It runs from 4-7 p.m.
Then, on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., the town hosts Franklin County's only nighttime Christmas parade.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police are investigating a shooting that left a 16-year-old injured.
Police responded to the shooting incident at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 21 on Ridley Street.
The juvenile sustained a gunshot wound, but his injuries were non-life-threatening.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners and staff were scheduled to interview two candidates, one of whom could be their next town manager.
Nathan Page announced in September that he would be resigning his post, effective at the start of January.
At the time, Mayor Fonzie Flowers said the board would work, in tandem with Page, to have the town manager post solidified by December.
Commissioners were planning to take part in a special called meeting at noon on Nov. 24 to conduct town manager interviews which came after the deadline for this edition. Full details will be in the Dec. 4 edition.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Both the Franklinton and Louisburg ABC stores reported thefts within the past three weeks.
On Oct. 30, the Franklinton ABC store released video footage of a man appearing to steal a bottle of liquor from their store in Franklinton Square Shopping center off U.S. 1.
The footage shows a man, wearing a white t-shirt and vest, apparently putting a bottle of liquor inside a vest pocket and leaving.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are investigating an apparent break-in at a corner store.
It was not immediately clear what time deputies were notified of the incident, but officers responded to 282 N.C. 56 at the corner of East River Road where a break in was believed to have occurred.

Don't look now, but Turkey Day is upon us!
In just a few hours -- even earlier in some homes where cooks prepare food well in advance -- ovens will be heated up, cooktops filled with pots and pans and everyone will be eagerly awaiting the fun, food and fellowship which comes with one of this country's favorite holidays, Thanksgiving.
It's a time for families to gather together and enjoy the fruits of their labor and continue a long-standing tradition that dates to our more agrarian roots when the feasts of fall followed a bountiful harvest period.