Archives

YOUNGSVILLE -- A leader in the repurposed computer business cut the ribbon on its custom-built, 54,000-square foot Center of Excellence that, among other things, uses robots to run parts out to technicians and is beginning a pilot project of a fully automated disassembly line for servers.
But, PlanITROI CEO Paul Baum said the New Jersey-relocated company is about people and impacts.
"... The first thing that you think of when you think of used computers and recycling and all that is probably not the best image in your head," Baum said during the Feb. 19 ribbon cutting, with the building as backdrop and lightly falling snow providing carpeting.

If anyone had any doubt about how fickle the weather can be around these parts, these photos ought to ease those doubts just a little. In the photo above, across the county in the Mapleville Community, Cheryl Morris got bundled up against the chill and crafted a snowman complete with a red plaid winter scarf.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners adopted another piece to their Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
Engineers with Kittelson & Associates presented commissioners with a bike and pedestrian plan during the board's Feb. 18 meeting.
In January, the town adopted a Comprehensive Transportation Plan, a concept that outlines future bypasses, pedestrian paths, local roadway connectors and other routes in the town's short-, medium- and long-range plans.

FRANKLINTON -- If you ride an ATV through town, a stop at the ATM will be in order.
During the board's Feb. 18 meeting, commissioners strengthened an ordinance it has to keep ATV and dirt bike riders off of town streets.
The town instituted a $250 fine for such offenses.
"We've continued to get an increasing number of complaints about ATVs riding on town roadways," said Town Manager Zach Steffey.

FHS wrestling standout Noah Michael

Okay, fellow Franklin Countians, we need a volunteer with connections!
The task? Remind Mother Nature that March starts this Saturday -- and that it is barely three weeks to the beginning of spring!
After all, this isn't New England, which is infamous for its weather, or even the Midwest where the winter weather can be downright miserable and stretch into April.
This is North Carolina -- and we've had enough winter already and it's time to begin enjoying the first vestiges of Springtime, warmer weather, sunshine and the first few blooms that those will bring. This week has been a good start, but ...

From September 2002 until September 2018, I made the daily commute from Durham to Louisburg.
In those innocent, early days, it was a roughly 45-minute commute on the worst of days.
That was easy for me because it was all driving. All of the backed-up traffic was heading in the opposite direction, so while those folks saw red lights for miles, I was often greeted with open roads.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Barbara Long Everette Goswick, 80, passed away on February 19, 2025 at her home in Franklinton, NC. She was born on April 22, 1944 to the late Wesley Long Everette and Rosa Hazel Patterson Timberlake.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Claude L. Dunston, age 94, who died on Monday, February 24, 2025, will be held on Monday, March 3, at 11 a.m. from the Allen Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Stanley Dunston presiding. Burial will follow in the Allen Chapel Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Consuela "Na" Graham, age 51, who died on Thursday, February 14, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Brother Matthew Richardson officiating.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for George Allen "Buck" Johnson, age 69, who died on Saturday, February 22, 2025, will be held at noon, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from the First Baptist Church of Louisburg with Rev. Janice Durr officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Jermaine "Jaycee" Walker, age 51, who died on Monday, February 17, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11 a.m. from the New Hope Freedom and Deliverance in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Brodie Family Cemetery.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Joyce Loyd Mitchell, a devoted servant of Christ, was called home to be with her Savior on February 23, 2025. She lived a life full of love, faith, and devotion to her family and the Lord.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Mary "Lean" Richardson Johnson, age 86, who died on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 1 p.m. from the Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister with Rev. Kenneth Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Chapel Memorial Garden Cemetery.

Crime fiction fans will be excited to know author RJ McCarthy has released a new novel, Entering Central Time.
The story is set in Los Angeles, circa 1999. It opens on a late night outside a diner where criminals attempt to rob two waitresses. Acting on instinct, little-known actor Tony Hearn intercedes.
The result, one of the robbers is killed by the other, who also wounds Hearn in the process.

LOUISBURG -- Attorneys reached a more than $1 million settlement in a fatal drunk-driving case that robbed the victim's wife and three kids of a breadwinner
Waleed Mohamed Abdelsattar's wife filed a lawsuit in April 2024, alleging Wake Forest's Kristen Hellier and the Raleigh bar that served her, Barcode, were responsible for the head-on collision that killed the 47-year-old as he was driving home the evening of Dec. 28, 2023.
Abdelsattar, a Franklin County resident, died as a result of his injuries.

LOUISBURG -- A judge refused to lower the bond of an Alert man accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
Perry Wheless Moseley will remain in custody in lieu of a $3.7 million bond on charges that he took indecent liberties with a minor nearly a decade ago.
His wife, Ernestine Walker Moseley, whom authorities allege was complicit and an accomplice, is next slated to appear in court in March.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Perry Moseley on Dec. 23, alleging the 80-year-old was responsible for sexually assaulting and taking indecent liberties with a child.

The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, "A Constitutional Speech Contest," is to develop knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution among high school students, explained Chris Smith, commander of American Legion Post 52 in Franklinton.
Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights, and privileges that go along with being an American citizen, he said.

In October 2024, American Legion Post 52 in Franklinton held CPR and AED training sponsored by the Compress and Shock Foundation and Franklin County Emergency Services.
Because more than 30 citizens were trained that day, the Compress and Shock Foundation provided a free AED for public use.
"We want the citizens of Franklinton to know that this life-saving device is available 24/7 located at 40 American Legion Road," said Post Commander Christ Smith.

A snowplows works to clear streets in downtown Franklinton which looks quite different with a dusting of the white stuff

These members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 52 are supporting Orator Victoria Sema (third from the left holding flowers) as she prepares for the next level of contests.

LOUISBURG -- During a court hearing that produced emotional outbursts following a ruling, a Franklinton man remained in jail with no changes in his bond.
Youngsville and surrounding authorities arrested and charged DreShaun Branch with second degree murder ... without regard for human life in December -- almost a month after he was indicted on charges of killing his nine-month-old daughter.
The 27-year-old's arrest came nearly five years after Brianna Leigh Franklin-Branch died in January 2020.

LOUISBURG -- The attorney defending a Wake Forest woman against charges that she killed two Franklin County women in a wreck is calling upon the services of experts.
As such, the case against Jennifer Baker Pearce was continued until a subsequent Franklin County Superior Court session -- May 13.
According to authorities, the 44-year-old Pearce was driving north on U.S. 401 near Bennett Perry Road the afternoon of Nov. 29 when she crossed the center line.