Recent Articles

BUNN -- Bunn High's boys tennis season ended in the second round of the state playoffs.
But the Wildcats enjoyed a nearly undefeated regular season and Top 4 seed in the state playoffs.
And, they snagged 2/3A Player and Coach of the Year, with Elias Brown and Coach Allen White securing the hardware.
"I want to thank my players and their former coach, Dale Murphy, for this award," Coach White said.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg officials received some long-awaited good news about their audit Monday night -- and also took time to honor retired Fire Chief Timmy Smith for his decades of service.
Focusing on the town's books, "no fraud or illegal activities" were found, James Sargent of the accounting firm PB Mares told the council.
Referring to the audit of the town's 2023 records, he said "we found nothing" illegal although he said a number of other bookkeeping and record-keeping issues were found and are being straightened out.

Veteran Franklinton High School Principal Russell Holloman is being considered on "inactive status" without pay, pending the outcome of what amounts to his appeal of his possible termination.
In their regularly scheduled closed session for personnel Monday night, the Board of Education did not take employment action regarding Holloman.
The board has been notified that Dr. Holloman is exercising his due process rights as provided by the law.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Norwood Marshall Smith, age 75, died May 8, 2025.

Youngsville, NC -- Marlo Junior Thorpe, age 43, Youngsville, NC was born to Marvin Junior Blacknall and Sheila Annette Blacknall on September 20, 1981 in Durham, North Carolina. He died on May 1, 2025.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Alphadean B. Tharrington, age 75, who died on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 will be held on Friday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Ft. Washington, MD -- Funeral services for Ira "Ike" Alston Jr., age 74, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on April 29, 2025, will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. from the Haywood Baptist Church in Louisburg.

Henderson, NC -- Funeral services for Dian "Ann" Smith, age 68, who died on Sunday May 11. 2025, will be held on Monday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at the Mitchner's Grove Baptist Church in Franklinton with Pastor Melvin Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchner's Grove Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Vermus Coley Sr., age 84, who died on Friday, May 9, 2025, will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. from the New Hope Worship Center in Bunn, NC.

Washington, NC -- William Arthur "Butch" Strickland, age 78, a resident of Washington, NC died Sunday, May 4, 2025 at The Service League of Greenville Hospice House.

Former assistant principal Clarence E. Hicks, who retired from Franklinton High School in 2019, recently had a pleasant surprise when purchasing a new vehicle in Raleigh. He purchased the vehicle from his former student, Keinan Chetti, who graduated from Franklinton High in 2019. Hicks said this is a reunion worth talking about, knowing that former young students are doing well and being good, productive citizens in society.

LOUISBURG -- A roomful of passionate pool advocates -- again -- pushed county leadership for a county-sponsored pool.
On Monday night, they were backed by Louisburg leadership -- who have made official their desire to partner with the county for a recreational center, complete with a public pool.
Still, county leadership offered no comment after voting down an April 21 motion to seek federal grants for the project.

LOUISBURG -- Long-simmering frustrations boiled into the open during Monday's Louisburg Economic Development Committee meeting -- and much of that frustration was aimed at town officials.
The frustration reached the point where EDC Chairman Will Hinton relinquished his chairmanship, saying that he was the "right person at the wrong time" to try to lead the group forward.

CASTALIA -- Tempest Cellars isn't perched on the hills of Tuscany, but if you've got one of Joe Burgess' wines in hand while watching cows graze in a pasture, or you stroll by 150-year-old barn or find yourself staring at a peaceful two-and-half acre pond -- you could probably taste the best of Italy.
"His wines are awesome," said Joe's dad, Vann Burgess, who, along with his wife, Gayle, decided to make their retirement a bit more active by starting Franklin County's only winery last year.

LOUISBURG -- In its consent agenda, Franklin County commissioners adopted a resolution asking the state to re-include money to expand the section of U.S. 401 from Royal into Louisburg.
While the consent agenda does not require discussion, resident and former State Department of Transportation engineer Gary Faulkner took to the podium during the public comments portion of the meeting to share just how important it is for the county -- and anyone else interested in the roadway -- to let their voices be heard.

BUNN -- Town commissioners took a proactive step for their police department, anticipating adding more resources for law enforcement in the coming fiscal year.
The town also agreed to let a Raleigh company handle their trash.
During an April 22 budget work session, by consensus, commissioners agreed to present the public with a budget that raises property tax rates -- primarily to hire another full-time law enforcement officer and outfit them with the resources they'll need, including a new police truck.

Armenta Eaton

Often referred to as the "Orange Superfood" sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a warm season crop and a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).
Sweet potatoes are grown for the large storage roots they produce and are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "yams."
Yams are an entirely separate plant and it is unlikely that many locals have eaten a true yam.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville police are investigating a report of a sexual assault.
According to the incident log, the incident was reported to authorities the morning of April 17.
The location is listed as the 100 block of W. Franklin Street.

Although I'm not sure how it happened, the first week of May is already behind us -- and I hope you're getting outside to enjoy this great weather.
And here's a suggestion: Make sure you find some locally grown strawberries soon because this year's crop, as always, is delicious.
Locally grown berries are getting harder to find since many of our growers have stopped producing strawberries but there are local berries available if you do a little research which, I think, you'll find is well worth the effort.

It was on the county's consent agenda, but it almost got past me.
The week of May 4-10 is the 56th annual Professional Municipal Clerk's Week.
And, why was it on the county's agenda?!? That's because County Clerk Kristen King makes sure essential information gets out to the public and the media.
And, she's not the only one.

Dear editor: I am writing this letter to express my support for building a public pool in Franklin County.
My family and I moved to North Carolina and specifically Franklin County about four years ago, and though I love this community and have made it my home, I noticed that there were things that this community was lacking.
The fact that we do not have a public pool or recreational facility like many of the other surrounding counties and communities is absurd to me.

Dear editor: We citizens have entrusted our commissioners and county manager to spend our tax money in a timely and efficient way to fulfill our most urgent need.
It has been made apparent that water is our first priority.
A study is necessary to reveal where that impoundment would best be positioned in the county.

Dear editor: For quite some time now, every Monday, my granddaughter and I go to the local Louisburg library at 4 p.m.
There are other wonderful programs throughout the week for young people, younger, and older adults . . . plus helpful and cheerful staff willing to help you find whatever you might need from teaching Internet skills to helping you locate a library book via interlibrary loan.