Recent Articles

RALEIGH -- The state is providing more than $2.5 million in grants to support North Carolina libraries, including two sums of funds for Franklin County library projects.
The State Library of North Carolina announced last week that it was providing $2.52 million to 41 libraries across the state.
The funding comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.

LOUISBURG -- Following in the gargantuan footsteps of a legendary parent -- while creating a legacy of your own -- can be quite a challenge for a high school athlete.
And when your father is Donte' Strickland, those thunderous footsteps are even more pronounced.

ATHENS, GA. -- For the fourth time in program history and the third time since 2013, the North Carolina State University baseball team is heading to the Men's College World Series after defeating No. 7 national seed Georgia 8-5 in a winner-take-all Super Regional matchup on Monday night at Foley Field on the UGA campus.

WILSON -- Known for its affection for strong recruiting in Eastern North Carolina, the Barton College softball program boasted a tremendous trio of area players this spring -- including one in a newfound role.
That performer would be former second sacker Emily Bell, who graduated from Barton in 2023, but decided to remain with the program this past season as a first-year assistant coach.

LOUISBURG -- Elijah Jamison is coming home. Or at least much closer to it.
After two years as a member of the University of Milwaukee men's basketball team, the former Louisburg High School graduate has announced his intention to transfer to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington for his final two campaigns.

ZEBULON -- Authorities located a woman who had been missing for about two weeks.
According to sources close to the matter, Gwen Ray Bunn was found in a field on Brantley Town Road and Medlin Lane -- less than five miles from her Pilot-Riley Road home.
Bunn, 75, was reported to have been in critical condition when she was located and transported to WakeMed by Franklin County EMS.

FRANKLINTON, NC-- Michael Carlis Penny, age 55, of Franklinton, died Monday June 3, 2024.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Alta Mae Debnam Sandling, 91, died June 6, 2024 at her home in Youngsville, NC.

EPSOM, NC-- Ms. Theresa Harper Newton, 86, of Epsom, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at her home. She was born on July 3, 1937, to the late James H. and Alma Baugh Harper in Warren County, NC.

DURHAM, NC--Dan Edwin Bennett, 81 of Durham, NC passed away in the comfort of his own home on May 21, 2024.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Buddy Eugene Street, 84, of Louisburg, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at his home. He was born on November 10, 1939, in Mitchell County, NC to the late Fred and Sally Sparks Street.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners plan to host a joint meeting with selected school staff and officials, hoping to cut through the numbers and tension generated by a county budget that proposes to underfund the school system's request.
On May 20, Franklin County Manager Kim Denton presented commissioners with a $122 million, 2024-25 spending plan that increases school spending by 5.2 percent -- but falls $3.8 million short of what the Board of Education requested.

BUNN -- Authorities continue to investigate a drowning at Bunn Lake.
Authorities had not responded to requests to identify the decedent by press time.
Just before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, authorities received a call about a possible drowning at the lake, which is just off N.C. 39 in the Zebulon area of Franklin County.
According to Franklin County Emergency Management Director Nicholas Thorpe, two men were fishing when their boat capsized.

RALEIGH -- One of the biggest delegations of athletes just finished competing in the Special Olympics of North Carolina's Summer Games.
Ten athletes competed in track and field events during the weekend of events from May 31 through June 2.
Opening ceremonies were held at NC State University's Reynolds Coliseum.
"It was one of the biggest delegations that we've taken [to the state games]," said Special Olympics of Franklin County Coach Danielle Dietz.

BLAZING SPEED. Leilani Alston secured a gold medal in the 200-meter dash.

ZEBULON -- A private airport operator was recovering from injuries sustained in a plane crash.
Emergency crews responded to the area of Reid Road and Howard Tant Road just after 5 p.m. on June 1 to find the downed single engine plane.
The pilot, later identified as Crooked Creek Airport proprietor Frank Swett, was taken to the hospital and was being treated for "moderate" injuries.
According to published reports, Swett was being treated in intensive care.

LOUISBURG -- A northern Franklin County business incubator and Vance-Granville Community College staff celebrated a new class of entrepreneurs they hope can ignite development in neglected corners of Franklin County.
With the aid of State Rep. Matthew Winslow, and VGCC's Small Business Center, the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Committee established the course as a way to help folks either start or business or expand an existing one.

Long-time county resident Allen Shearin

BUNN -- Without any public input or fanfare, town commissioners approved a 2024-25 spending plan that raises the tax rate above revenue neutral.
Commissioners discussed the budget during a May 6 work session where Town Clerk Dottie Taylor presented officials with an $853,892 balanced budget.
Before Monday's decision, the town had a tax rate of 64 cents per $100 of valuation and approved a $642,000 spending plan for 2023-24.

If you've been paying attention to Franklin County government lately, you would certainly understand there has been some turmoil.
These sorts of things sort of rest in the recesses of my mind, but sometimes, they get crystallized in an instant.
That's what happened during the most recent meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and I have resident Wes Wheless to thank for it.
During his remarks on the budget, he noted that within the last year that he's keenly paid attention to county government, he's noted that there have been some conflicts ... all involving the county.

Dear editor:
A rising tide lifts all ships.
A good and improving public school system lifts all children, families and communities.
Franklin County residents have good reasons to feel optimistic about the current and future performance of our local public school programs.

Dear editor:
I was not able to attend the commissioners' meeting on June 3, but I saw the proceedings online.
I saw teachers, staff members, parents, Dr. Schuhler and others speak with passion about the need for full funding of the school budget.
I was most moved by a mother who told of her daughter with multiple challenges.

Dear editor:
Every now and then you need to stand back and wonder, how in the wide world of sports did we get to this point?
The talking heads on the news networks get to work, go through wardrobe, go through hair and make-up, and then read from a teleprompter that is prepared by the network brass. I would bet a dollar to a doughnut these pundits cannot remember much of what they just read.