Recent Articles

Franklinton, NC -- Margaret Olivia Woodlief Ragan, 97, of Franklinton, entered Heavenly rest on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2025.

ROLESVILLE, NC -- Robert Lee "Bill" Mitchell, 97, of Rolesville, passed away Monday, May 12, 2025 at WakeMed, just days before his 98th birthday. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Clarence and Vera Mitchell and was retired from Wake Electric Membership Corporation as a Line Foreman after 41+ years of service.

The Miracle League of Franklin County and law enforcement and other first responders teamed up for the annual Light It Up Blue Special Needs Community Day at the Miracle League field at Long Mill Elementary recently. The event helps families learn about guardianship and occupational therapy resources, as well as inclusive community programs. Above, Gabriel Fanara gives Audrey Green a high five at third base during the baseball game.

PLAY BALL. Above, Franklin County Commissioner Logan Davis threw out the first pitch.

BATTER UP. Above, Merrell Pettis pitches to Jackson McIlroy, as Debhani Valles and Tassie McGannon cheer.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville commissioners opted not to stake a position on prospects for a U.S. 1 toll road.
When efforts to convert the highway into a freeway to relieve congestion from I-540 into Franklin County hit funding snags, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization wanted to explore viable options to move the project forward.

FRANKLINTON -- Residents will have their chance to talk about a 2025-26 budget that proposes to spend $200,000 more, but lower the tax rate.
Town Manager Zach Steffey presented his proposed budget to commissioners during an April 17 worksession.
The 2025-26 spending plan features, among other things:

YOUNGSVILLE -- Fireworks are set to culminate a celebration that's been 150 years in the making.
Youngsville, a southwestern Franklin County town was incorporated on March 17, 1875 and town officials recognized it with a more reserved dinner event.
But, their hair-down sesquicentennial bash is slated for this Saturday, May 17, starting with an historic parade, featuring all sorts of events during the day, and featuring a grand finale with fireworks.

Patricia Adams, center, earned the Governor's Volunteer Service Gold Medallion for her volunteer work, which includes volunteering with Sewing Seeds, distributing food to folks in need, work as a booster for the Louisburg Magnet High School band, and providing transportation for folks trying to get to medical appointments, among other things. Adams received her award on Tuesday at State Capitol's Senate Chamber.

LOUISBURG -- If you're wondering where Franklin County Schools are headed -- and especially if you have a few suggestions -- the first draft of Strategic Plan 2030 is now on the district's website following action by the Board of Education Monday evening.
Toward the end of a nearly four-hour meeting filled with routine business School Supt. Rhonda Schuhler presented the board with the plan -- and requested that the board seek public input before finalizing and implementing it in the fall.

The bucket brigade was most likely the earliest form of firefighting dating back to, possibly as far as, the Roman Empire. It was certainly used in England during the "Great Fire of London" in 1666 (to no avail, as the fire lasted four days and destroyed most of medieval London).
A bucket brigade was typically used by private citizens, all volunteers with very little organization. Fire buckets are a unique part of firefighting history. They are an essential part fire museum displays in that they effectively highlight the transition from the early days of manual fire protection to more modern fire equipment.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners approved a budget that continues the town's commitment to the bypass, bolstering town resources, beefing its police force and lowering the tax rate.
Later in the meeting, though, town management presented officials with an option to calm traffic problems that carries a $40,000 price tag.
The public hearing on the budget did not generate any public feedback.

Special Olympian Savannah Allen

LOUISBURG -- A number of cases made progress during Franklin County's superior court session this week.
• Because of the expected complexities of getting necessary discovery information, the case against Jennifer Baker Pearce was declared exceptional during the May 13 session.
The designation removes it from the monthly updates calender, meaning it will only appear before a judge when appropriate motions or information warrants.

Cristy Creech, a volunteer with Novonesis, gives Lorenzo Stancil a high five after he crossed the finish line during the Special Olympics of Franklin County's spring games last month.

Jordan Pettis breaks away during the 200-meter dash at the Louisburg Magnet High School track.

Franklin County Sheriff's Deputies Janet Leonard and Keith Alston help Davonah Johnson and Jeremiah Alston light the Olympic torch to begin the April 29 games at Louisburg Magnet High School.

A gentle spring rain was just beginning as work on this column began Monday morning -- although the forecasts were for much heavier rain between now and when you're reading this.
I'm certainly not complaining about the rain because we're drier than dust out Mapleville way -- and I suspect that holds true for much of the county.
It was almost to the point where we were ready to start recruiting "rain dancers" to see if we could influence Mother Nature!

I know what you're thinking: The best spectator sport in all of Franklin County is covering our governments ... because, no matter what's on the agenda, there's always gonna be something that comes out of left field.
I don't know how many times I've looked at a barren agenda and told my boss that I have no idea what I'm going to write about, only to leave that meeting with an above-the-fold, front page story, a sidebar and a column.

Dear editor: There is a reason, a concept, behind any work of art, or architecture, or public space which speaks both to history and to new potential uses and functions of these objects and places.
In our community of Louisburg, these objects and places range from being grand gestures such as the stalwart columns which rise heavenward supporting the portico of the Main Building at Louisburg College. Standing in front of that structure you are bathed in her pre-Civil War story.

Dear editor: I found the following four consecutive MSNBC headlines quite interesting, informative, nauseating and infuriating:
•"Trump is finally getting his parade -- and its only going to cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars."
Followed by:
•"House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts proposal."

Dear editor: A few comments based on recent issues of the Times' April 17.
The school budget passed with a 6-1 vote. The paper indicated that Tom Harris voted no and did not explain his vote. Did the meeting format offer an opportunity for that explanation? Did the newspaper contact Harris to schedule a time to get his feedback and maybe dive into any concerns over the budget?
April 17, 24 and May 1. All three editions include information regarding an aquatic center.

Dear editor: I want to say how dumb it sounds to be even considering putting four swimming pools in Franklin County.
I just rode down South Main Street Wednesday and the river was so low you could see the bottom.
Houses and subdivisions are going up every day.
Franklin County is already worried about the water for residents' use.