Archives

YOUNGSVILLE -- With the signing of the state budget, $1.8 million was primarily dedicated for Franklin County infrastructure projects.
All told, more than $23 million in infrastructure money was made available to this region in the state budget that is months overdue. The state's new fiscal year began July 1 but, in what has almost become a tradition, was delayed for more than a third of the year.

LOUISBURG -- It was Dec. 18, 1921, when a huge steam-powered locomotive chugged to the station on Louisburg's Depot Hill, clanging to a stop in a cloud of steam and coal smoke.
Chained securely on one of the train's flatcars was a huge, for the time, truck that was destined to help preserve Louisburg for many years and which now is the centerpiece of a soon-to-open fire department museum.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Commissioners tapped the brakes on an 85-acre, 362-unit residential development, hoping to get a clearer picture on traffic impacts and negotiate a sidewalk development pact before voting.
JJS Youngsville LLC petitioned the board to approve a development agreement that would allow them to build a 267-unit single family and 95-unit townhome development on 85 acres that sits along N.C. 96, adjacent to Sirchie on the east and Hampton Village to the north -- about two-tenths of a mile before the N.C. 96/U.S. 1-A split heading toward downtown.

Louisburg Electric Department employee Ryan "Stick" Murray places a holiday snowflake along Bickett Boulevard. It's part of the town's annual holiday decorations that are placed along Bickett Boulevard and Main Street through downtown. There is also a Christmas display at Riverbend Park.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton is in the middle of a residential and development boom, as restaurants, watering holes and new houses are popping up.
During the board's Nov. 16 meeting, two folks asked the board and the public to figure out ways to make sure that health care is part of the town's newly evolving landscape.
Long-time resident Annette Young noted that the town's growth inspires hope and she's grateful for it, but there are some services that the town continues to lack -- health care.

Cousins Mallori Darnell, Caroline White

Not sure why, but I find it interesting that for the last few years, a lot of "good news stories" from the Louisburg Town Council meetings have come late in the year, especially November and December.
This month was certainly no exception if you read our last week's edition, which detailed a number of economic development issues that bode well for the future of the town.

Contrary to popular belief, I don't like to or try to en flame passions through this column.
And, quite honestly, much in the same way I try to curate my social media interactions, I also try to curate my personal and professional interactions.
However, it would be completely impossible to avoid the life and courthouse saga that has been Kyle Rittenhouse.

Cloyce B. Alford, 93, died Sunday, November 21, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.

WARRENTON, NC -- Graveside services for Joseph "The Heart Man" Stanberry, age 60, who died on Friday, November 19, 2021, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 27, 2021 at from the Hawkins Chapel Church Cemetery in Franklinton with Rev. Terry Yancy officiating.

HOLLISTER, NC--Funeral services for Mamie F. Richardson, age 75, who died on Saturday, November 20, 2021, will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Richardson Family Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Graveside services for Marietta "Mary" Anderson Smith, age 72, who died on Monday, November 22, 2021, will be held at 12 noon Monday, from the Jones Chapel Church Cemetery in Louisburg with Dr. Everett Jenkins officiating.

FRANKLINTON, NC --

Funeral services for Raymond Stokes, age 71, who died on Monday, November 22, 2021, will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Bobby Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Church Cemetery.

RALEIGH -- The Franklin County connection continued within the William Peace University women's soccer program this fall as Bunn High School graduate Rachel Alford was once again an offensive force for the Pacers.
Alford, a junior, was joined midway through the season by Louisburg High School alum Ozzy Peralta, who took over as the program's Interim Head Coach.

BUNN -- Few stars have sparkled as bright on the Franklin County prep volleyball scene over the past four years as Bunn High School's Mallori Darnell.
Back when she was a freshman, Darnell played a key role in leading the Ladycats to a junior varsity undefeated record to go with a Northern Carolina Conference Championship.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Franklinton and Bunn both qualified for the Boys Soccer State Playoffs this season, so it was no surprise that each school was well-represented on the annual All-Big East Conference Team for the 2021 campaign.
FHS, which finished second in both the Big East Regular Season and Tournament, featured a whopping five players on the First Team, including Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ethan Hall.

DURHAM -- The Durham Bulls are currently conducting a Black Friday Sale online and at the Ballpark Corner Store at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Online, fans can save 20 percent off regular-priced items in addition to free shipping on orders over $75.
In store, the DBAP will host a huge sale this Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Rachel Alford (left) had a knack for always being around the ball during her soccer career at Bunn High School -- and she is doing more of the same as a junior member of the women's program at William Peace University in Raleigh.

A SPECIAL DAY. Napoleon Walker and Annie L. Walker celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary Nov. 9, 2021. They were married in Henderson on Nov. 9, 1957. They raised five children, and have 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one great, great-grandchild, and one foster child. They reside in Franklinton.

Thanksgiving Day is full of family get-togethers, giving thanks, lots of food and some turkey deep frying horror stories. From homes burning down to turkeys skyrocketing into the air, safely preparing and frying a turkey doesn't have to be dangerous. To avoid becoming one of these Thanksgiving Day horror stories, and to make sure you fry that centerpiece safely to avoid foodborne illness, USDA offers advice on properly preparing and frying your turkey safely.

(Family Features) Many people are familiar with omega-3 fatty acids, and some of those at risk for heart disease take them as dietary supplements.
However, according to a Harris Poll commissioned by Amarin Pharma, Inc., some people have limited understanding of the risks and benefits of these dietary supplements.

Statins are currently the first-line proven therapy for lowering cholesterol. However, statins, along with diet and exercise, still leave persistent cardiovascular risk.
Despite commonly held beliefs to the contrary, fish oil dietary supplements have not been successfully proven to provide cardiovascular benefits in clinical studies. There are multiple reasons for this:

The Franklinton Senior Center held its Halloween party at the end of October. Members dressed up, received treats and had their photos taken in the Halloween photo booth. Above, the "Coffee Club" group, left to right: H.W. Chappell, Ronald Champion, Howell Lee Jones and Joseph Dillehay.

Franklin County Arts Council is now accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Dec. 1, 2021.
Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils.

Lyric soprano Joy Jan Jones will make her debut appearance at Cherry Hill at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28. She will be accompanied by pianist Robert Buxton. Jones is a versatile performance artist. The native Texan is an independent, multi-genre singer, instrumentalist, writer, producer and model. Based in New York City, she has won numerous awards in vocal competitions, and performs music from Coltrane to Baroque, Gospel to German Lieder. As an opera singer, she is a lyric-coloratura and has sung works of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Mozart, and others.

LOUISBURG -- An organization battling domestic violence and sexual assault has launched a website aimed at young people.
Safe Space, Inc.'s launch of the LoveLevelUp.org website solidifies the organization's long-standing commitment to reducing relationship violence and sexual assault through interactive programs, education, and outreach, the organization's staff said.

LOUISBURG -- Engineers recently shifted traffic patterns to accommodate U.S. 401 construction.
In September 2018, crews began working to widen the two-lane highway from N.C. 96 in Wake County to Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road -- roughly six miles of road.

Franklin County Arts Council (FCAC) Writers' Guild is inviting the public to attend the Launch Party for County Lines: A Literary Journal 2022, ninth edition.
It's billed as a chance to celebrate with local writers and listen to readings from Carolina Prize for Writing contest winners and others.
The Launch Party will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, starting at 1 p.m., at the Franklinton Lions Club, 205 S. Chavis Street in Franklinton.

HENDERSON --- Heather Joi Kenney has been chosen coordinator of Franklin Vance Warren's rural small business clinic in partnership with Gateway CDC.
Kenney is a native of Vance County. She graduated Spelman College with a B.A. degree in sociology as well as Howard University School of Law. She worked in family law for four years, practiced entertainment and business law for several years and then ran an entertainment company.