Recent Articles

SHAKE ON IT. Judge Adam Keith, right, congratulates newly elected Council member David Rosby after taking the oath of office during the board's Dec. 15 meeting. Rosby took the oath of office with the aid of his son, Daniel, and wife Sharon.

The Franklin County Board of Education recently honored 13 students who best exemplified the character traits of self-discipline and self-control.
Those students are;

The Christmas parades are all past, the decorations are installed and lighted, Christmas dinner is probably mostly planned and maybe even started and the kids and grandkids are bouncing off the walls in anticipation of what Santa may bring.
Christmas is almost here -- and by now Santa must be loading up his sleigh and giving the reindeer a big, pre-flight meal that they'll need to get through the night.
If you're like me -- and a lot of you have confessed that you are -- it's difficult to believe that Christmas is here and we're just days away from starting a new year.

If the grey hair and grandkids weren't enough to give it away, perhaps my columns do: I've been around long enough to establish a tradition.
As this edition will hit the streets in time for Christmas, it has become routine for me to talk about the things that Santa Claus can bring to Franklin County's communities -- from Alert to Zebulon and from Youngsville to Bunn ... and everywhere in between.

Dear editor: I have said a lot about the abyss that is Donald Trump's character. One thing I haven't talked about is his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In view of the much-anticipated release by the Justice Dept. last week of heavily redacted Epstein material, in which little or nothing pertaining to Trump was allowed to see the light of day, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of his long involvement with Epstein.
Trump's connection with Epstein was a lot closer than many people realize.

Dear editor: With Christmas just right around the corner, we should maybe examine some of the many blessings we are thankful for.
I am thankful that Deputy Taylor Lucas was released from the hospital after being shot at point blank range. It is apparent that the bulletproof vest saved his life. I feel certain he will be sore, but he is alive.
I know absolutely nothing about law enforcement or crime prevention.

FRANKLINTON -- After swearing in three returning board members, Franklinton commissioners surplussed some property, removed restrictions on others, rezoned some and, as the Board of Adjustment, issued a special use permit on another.
The net gain is that it made the properties more appealing to develop.
First, the board agreed to deem surplus properties at 103 and 105 E. Mason Street during the Dec. 16 meeting.

John Allers takes the oath of office from Fogg with the aid of his wife, Sheila. Franklinton was the only town where all of its incumbents were re-elected.

HELPING KEEP FOLKS WARM! Laura Dudley, Cora Hawkins and John Faulkner with Care and Share, Louisburg accept the donations from the Coats for Christmas drive. The coat drive has been going on for over 30 years. If you still wish to donate, call Wayne Champion at Farm Bureau, 919-496-2051.

The loss of another small downtown business "has been a long time coming," said its owner, Andrea Woodin.
She recently announced the closing of the Purple Dot, a Main Street business that focused on providing piercing services as well as a variety of small gifts.
"It's rough for small businesses," she said.
The main issue behind the closing was increasing local competition, especially from a growing number of tattoo shops in the area that also providing piercing services.

LOUISBURG -- Authorities arrested a Louisburg man with a decades-long criminal record they allege shot a Franklin County sheriff's deputies last week.
The State Bureau of Investigation said both the deputy and suspect were believed to have been shot.
The evening of Dec. 18, authorities allege Jermaine Anthony Branch shot Dep. Taylor Lucas before fleeing from arrest on E. River Road near George Leonard Road.
Lucas, White said, was being treated for his injuries at a local hospital.

Born in Mountainside, New Jersey, Peter lived a life defined by service - to his country, his family, and to anyone fortunate enough to cross his path.

Zebulon, NC -- Albert Garrett, age 83, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Mebane, NC -- Funeral services for Dr. John F. Bradshaw, age 88, who died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 will be held Monday, December 29, at 1 p.m. from the Gethsemane SDA Church in Raleigh, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Gregory "Action Jackson" Jackson, age 69, who died on Wednesday December 17, 2025, will be held on Tuesday, December 30, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Wardrick Family Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Goldie Foster, age 81, who died on Friday, December 19, 2025, will be held on Sunday, December 28, at 3 p.m. from the Rowland Chapel Christian Church in Henderson with Minister Robert Lee Foster III officiating. Burial will follow in the Rowland Chapel Church Cemetery.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Wallace Wade Wilder, age 81, who died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 will be held Saturday, December 27, at 12 p.m. from the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC.

Brooklyn, NY -- Funeral services for Carolyn Harris McCoy, age 75, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Sunday, December 14, 2025, were held on Monday, December 22, at 1 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

Louisburg, NC --Martha Elaine Cottrell Duke, 87, of Louisburg, died Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at her home.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg United Methodist Church has opened its sanctuary for the season, offering folks shelter from the cold when it can.
It's the second year that the church has offered its church as a white flag shelter for homeless and others seeking a warm bed and meal during the fall and winter's coldest nights.
"... Last January, when the temperatures dropped dangerously low, it was hard to justify keeping our doors locked when we have a warm place we can offer for our neighbors who need shelter," said LUMC Pastor Tuck Taylor.

LOUISBURG -- Filing for the 2026 primary ends on Friday and, already, changes are guaranteed in the General Assembly.
And, a race for Franklin County sheriff is set for the fall.
On Monday, District 7 State Rep. Matthew Winslow announced that he would not seek re-election.
Winslow was first elected in the fall of 2020 in a contested race with Dr. Phillip Stover.

Last weekend put the focus on the season, leaving no doubt that Christmas is just a week away. In the photo above, Santa Claus welcomed all to the Bunn parade despite the bone-chilling temperatures and brisk winds, which his reindeer didn't seem to mind at all.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners selected their officers for the next year.
And, one is a new face and the other is fairly familiar.
Commissioner Roxanne Bragg was chosen as the board's chair -- her first time serving in that post. She replaces Commissioner David Bunn in that post.
Commissioner Michael Schriver was selected as vice chair -- resuming a post he was elected to last year.