Recent Articles

Dear editor:
On Wednesday (Dec. 14), when the Republican leadership of the NC General Assembly launched a surprise special session, my office that night began receiving email protests from citizens across the state.

Dear editor:
What an outrage! Why are we as responsible, knowledgeable and supposedly good citizens letting the NC legislative body try to take the state of NC into more ignorance and disgrace than they and McCrory have already done?
We should all, if allowed, be in the legislative building protesting if that's what it takes.

LOUISBURG -- Students at Crosscreek Charter School raised more than $500 to go toward cancer research.
Students at the school accepted the WHIP Pediatric Cancer Challenge to become a Golden Heart School.
The challenge required students to purchase a ribbon in honor or memory of someone effected by cancer.

Wayne Champion, of Farm Bureau Insurance, once again coordinated the Coats for Christmas program this year. It's not too late to donate. The following locations will take your clean used or new coats: Farm Bureau office in Louisburg, Youngsville Library or 401 Dry Cleaners (formerly The Village Cleaners) in Louisburg. 401 Dry Cleaners will clean them for free if needed and the coats will continue to be distributed to various organizations. The coat drive will run until mid January, according to Champion. All sizes are needed, especially for children. In the photo above, Champion distributes coats to Care and Share in Louisburg. Accepting on behalf of Care and Share are Dorene Person (at left) and Cora Hawkins.

HENDERSON -- Operation Silent Night took 88 alleged offenders off the streets, many of them violent, during a two-day team-up of local, state and federal law enforcement agents.
Pictured (Above): KEEN EYE. Officers, including Franklin County Sheriff's Office forensics officer Rhonda Coyne, left, keep a close eye on the evidence collected during a multi-county, multi-agency operation designed to get some of the most dangerous people off the streets.

Basketball fan Bailey Lucas, 1 year old

FRANKLINTON - Richard "Rick" Allen Rider, 62, of Franklinton, passed away Friday morning at his home.

LOUISBURG - Elaine Korianski Stephenson, 55, of Fox Ridge Rd., passed away suddenly on Friday evening, December 16, 2016. She was born in Queens, New York and was preceded in death by her brother, Edward Korianski.

LOUISBURG - Jim Bill Hall, 81, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 at Transitions LifeCare. The family will receive friends Thursday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. at Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services in Louisburg, where funeral services will follow at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Lancaster Memorial Park.

LOUISBURG - Memorial services are incomplete at this time for Percy Lee "Pumpkin" Williams Sr., who died Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at his home in Louisburg.

LOUISBURG - Susan Nelms Allen, 72, of Louisburg passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Missy, on Thursday, December 15, 2016. Born on November 3, 1944 to the late Graham and Emilie Avent Nelms. She was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Graham Allen; husband, William C. Shutt; and uncle, Saint Maurice Nelms.

SPRING HOPE-- David Ray Carter, 64, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 at his home. Services will be private.

Multi-county raids result in 88 'worst of worst' arrested

Two Louisburg teens charged with thefts

YOUNGSVILLE -- A gas leak earlier this month reminded a town commissioner of a long-simmering issue -- impassable roads, or at least partially impassable roads.
Earlier this month, the town experienced a gas leak and traffic along U.S. 1-A south of town was rerouted along Camille Circle -- apparently where some home construction is taking place.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Leaders have appointed a committee to figure out the best way to preserve the town's history.
In November, a representative with the Youngsville Woman's Club informed commissioners that they needed the town's help to maintain the Youngsville Museum of History.
Going back to 1959, the club has housed town artifacts and other memorabilia, currently in the old Christian Church building at 120 W. Franklin Street.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Education welcomed a new member, watched as two re-elected members were sworn in, set up its leadership team for the coming year -- and saved county taxpayers a million bucks, all in just over an hour Monday night.
Sworn in to new four-year terms were Tommy Piper, who will be beginning his first term on the board and Debra Brodie and Rosemary Champion, both of whom were re-elected.

An undercover police operation -- perhaps involving more than one county and law enforcement agency -- was underway at presstime Wednesday.
Law enforcement officials refused to provide additional details, citing operational security and safety.
District Attorney Mike Waters has promised to hold a news conference on Thursday to provide details -- and information from that news conference will be available on our website as soon as possible.

Scenes from a bygone era played out at The Person Place in Louisburg when the historic home on the corner of the Louisburg College campus was opened to the public last week. In the photo above, a costumed Jenny Burke of Wake Forest represents an earlier era in a house that has stood in the community for more than 200 years and seems to come alive during the holidays, especially when decorated and full of people and music. This year's open house was hosted by the Louisburg Historic Neighborhood Association and the Person Place Preservation Society -- and is a reminder that Christmas is just 10 days away!

WHITE LEVEL -- The White Level Fire Department recognized heroes and leaders this past weekend.
Chief Billy Brewer was named the department's Firefighter of the Year and five members earned the Beyond the Call of Duty Award for bravery in rescuing a woman from her home.
The awards were presented during the department's annual Christmas party.

LAKE ROYALE -- When Joseph Goodrow signed on as a company police officer in July, he had a five-year plan to imbue his fellow, albeit, younger officers, with the skills, ability and wisdom he's gained through 20 years in the Marine Corps and another 19 years in law enforcement -- touching upon almost every aspect of police work you can imagine.
When the Lake Royale Property Owners Association called upon him to become the community's new police chief at the end of November, he had an even better platform to accomplish his goals.

Franklin County commissioner Sidney Dunston (center) was sworn in for a new term on the county board on Dec. 8. Handling the swearing-in was Judge John Davis (left) and holding the Bible is Franklin County Manager Angela Harris. His swearing-in was delayed for a recount during which his challenger, Stuart May, lost one vote.

RENEWING HER OATH. Rosemary Champion (center) renews her oath of office Monday night as she began a new term on the Franklin County Board of Education. She was re-elected earlier this year. Administering the oath was District Court Judge John Davis (left) and holding the Bible for the oath is Mackenzie Wood, a senior at Louisburg High School and Champion's granddaughter.

NEW BOARD MEMBER. Tommy Piper (with hand raised) took the oath of office Monday night as he became a member of the Franklin County Board of Education. A former school administrator, Piper was elected to the board earlier this year.

WAKE FOREST -- A Louisburg man with a violent past is slated to appear in court next year on serious assault charges.
According to Wake Forest Police, Charles Sidney Mayo, 31, apparently got into an altercation with a cashier at Home Depot on Capital Boulevard the evening of Dec. 6.
Mayo, according to reports, punched the cashier in the face and the man fell to the floor.