Recent Articles

The 2025 growing season has been drastically different from what we went through in 2024.
Last year we dealt with no rain for over 40 days in early summer, then when the drought ended, we had an oversupply of rain and two tropical storms.
This year has been a good growing season for most, receiving ample rains through most of spring and summer with only a handful of dry periods scattered throughout.

Pianist Solomon Eichner will perform at Cherry Hill this Sunday, Sept. 28. The program will include works by Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and other well-known composers. Originally from Baltimore, Eichner graduated from the Manhattan School of Music and Peabody Conservatory. He has performed in England, Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland and throughout the United States, including several well-received performances at Cherry Hill. He maintains a faculty position for the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute.

Holly Thornburg & Roxanne Bragg

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Lucy "Mama Lu" Holden, age 82, who died on Monday, September 22, 2025, will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. from the Rowland Chapel Christian Church in Henderson. Burial will follow in the Rowland Chapel Church Cemetery.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Annie "Teenie" Cooke Johnson, age 78, who died on Monday, September 22, 2025, will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at noon from the First Baptist Church in Franklinton with Rev. Delores Cooke officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchiner's Grove Church Cemetery.

BUNN, NC -- Jasper F. White, 96, of Bunn died early Friday morning, September 19, 2025 at Wake Med with his daughter Debbie by his side. He was born January 15, 1929 in Franklin County, a son of the late James R. and Victoria Gay White. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Louise Strickland White; sisters, Madeline Moody and Elizabeth Sykes and a brother, Melton White.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Waltin "Turk" Young of Youngsville, age 97, son of the late Dora Smith Young and Andrew Young was born on May 7, 1928 in Boydton, Virginia. He died September 2, 2025 at his home in Youngsville, NC.

Charlotte, NC -- Funeral services for Zenora "Yvone" Teasley, age 71, who died on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, will be held on Wednesday, September 24, at 2 p.m. from the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC with Rev. Rory Sneed officiating.

Castalia, NC -- David Green Faulkner, 91, of Castalia, passed away Friday night, September 19, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Walter B. Richardson, age 93, who died on Monday, September 15, 2025, will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Shocco Chapel Baptist Church in Warrenton, NC with Pastor Lennis Thorpe officiating. Burial will follow in the Shocco Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC -- William "Bill" Alfred Sullivan, 74, of Louisburg, passed away early Thursday morning, Sept. 11, 2025 at WakeMed.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Charles Robert Fenske, 72, of Louisburg, died Tuesday evening at his home following complications from colon cancer and kidney disease.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners are set to consider a more than 1,000-acre solar farm that, when presented to the surrounding community in January, drew queries and ire.
Charlottesville, Va.-based Diamond Solar LLC has secured 12 parcels -- split between eight property owners -- along Trinity Church, Pete Smith and Sutton roads, where they propose to build a solar farm on 1,083 acres.

LOUISBURG -- Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many of whom were first responders running into danger.
During a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives and celebrate those who continue to serve their communities, Franklin County Emergency Management Director Nicholas Thorpe urged first responders to be just as brave in reaching out to help.
Devastatingly, the first responder profession has a high suicide rate.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A transportation organization representing the region, including Franklin County, was expecting to champion the Youngsville bypass as a funding priority for the state.
During Youngsville's Sept. 11 meeting, Commissioner Scott Brame, who is also a member of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's executive board, said CAMPO selected the bypass for funding consideration through the State's Transportation Improvement Program -- which details projects and project schedules for the next 5-10 years.

YOUNGSVILLE -- For the past four years, Nathan Page has helped the town chart a path for growth -- particularly fast-tracking plans for a Youngsville bypass.
Starting in January, Page will be charting his own course -- around the Atlantic Ocean.
Page tendered his resignation at the board's Sept. 11 meeting -- effective Jan. 2.
"... This position has been, without question, the most rewarding and meaningful chapter of my professional life," Page said in a letter read by Mayor Fonzie Flowers.

What do the construction of the Louisburg water system and the organization of the Louisburg Fire Department have in common?
Obviously, the citizens of the town needed a safe and adequate source of drinking water and the fire department needed a dependable water supply in order to fight fires.
Both needs were addressed at the same time. However, the connection between the fire department and the town water system goes a little bit further than meets the eye.

Levi & Chuck Odom, division winners of the Huck Wear Open disc golf tourney

LOUISBURG -- Two local Girl Scouts were recognized for their achievements.
Bethany and Naomi Bolyard received the High Achiever Award during a ceremony at Hill King UMC last week.
Naomi was the top Girl Scouts cookie seller in Franklin County this year.
Her sister, Bethany, was the third top seller in the county.

Don't look now, but we've passed the mid-point of September and Fall will officially begin next Monday.
Not sure how all that has happened so quickly but the relatively cool days and downright chilly nights recently have left little doubt that Mother Nature is gearing up for the annual change.
And some folks who are more organized than some of the rest of us are already beginning to set up decorations for the next big holiday.

Dear editor: I appreciate Pastor Haley's response to my Aug. 28 letter.
I admire his refusal to resort to vitriol or insult concerning a topic he is so obviously passionate about.
I realize the Letters section might be a strange place to attempt a dialogue, but it is the forum we have and I too am passionate about the topic.
Haley emphasized the importance of loving others and respectful conduct. I agree with those values.

Dear editor: Thank you Franklin Times for your reporting and investigations.
In response to the letter to the editor, "Can world survive Christian Fundamentalism," Robert Strickland bring up very interesting ideas.
Let's not forget a Christian is someone who is Christ-like.
This does not describe any politicians we know. The term evangelical is one who shares the gospel, regardless of race, color or nationality.

Dear editor: Wow! Thank you, Rev. William Haley, for your letter in The Franklin Times last week. I have known Bill Haley for several years and have the utmost respect for his knowledge and faith.
With the violence of the last few weeks, this letter would have been excellent reading for everyone in this country.
As the story unfolded concerning the murder of the young woman in Charlotte, it was almost overlooked by both local and national news media.

Broccoli evolved from the leafy cole crops in the Northern Mediterranean around the 6th century.
The name "broccoli" comes from the Italian word "brocco," meaning "sprout" or "shoot," which is derived from the Latin "brachium," meaning "arm" or "branch."
It was introduced to the USA from Italy in the 1800s but did not become popular until the 1920s.
By the 1940s, broccoli had become a common vegetable in America.