Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- A portion of the Franklin County Commissioners' agenda purposely designed to eschew dialogue prompted a fair amount of discussion ... and confusion.
According to UNC School of Government, consent agendas are useful for disposing of routine and non-controversial items of business -- allowing a board to efficiently approve several items simultaneously using only one vote.

FIRST NIGHT. Revelers in Franklinton rang in the new year in style with its First Night Funkytown, the first New Year's Eve celebration sponsored by the town. Above, Town Manager Zach Steffey is at the center of the ball being dropped at 9 p.m. to help younger folks celebrate the new year without ruining their bedtime

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County witnessed a spike in rabies cases during 2025.
And, 2026 brought the county's first positive test for avian flu.
The state confirmed that a bird, part of a backyard flock, tested positive for H5N1 on Jan. 1. The state, county staff said, did not release the location of a reported case for privacy reasons.

LOUISBURG -- Following a closed session on Monday, commissioners denied a request by Williams Communications to change an aspect of their radio upgrade project.
The details of the request are not clear, though.
In January 2022, Franklin County hired Florida-based Williams Communications to upgrade its emergency radio system at a cost of about $22 million.

The community of Centerville holds Franklin County's only New Years Day parade and greeting 2026 was no exception on a beautiful, unseasonable warm New Year's Day. In this photo Centerville Fire Chief Allen Nelms drives a Centerville Fire and Rescue truck past the front of the Centerville Fire Department Station.

Three generations of Langfords, from left, Darnell, Elijah and Erick

Happy New Year!
I trust you and yours survived the New Year's celebrations and are primed to begin 2026, which promises to be quite a year on many fronts.
But here we are, just eight short days into the year and already the Franklin County commissioners have provided fodder for debate about how local government should operate.

So, the last time I published New Year's resolutions in this space, it was January 2024.
It was decidedly not a new year, new me kind of post because it was me at 50 ... so, yeah, I'm old.
And, now, I'm older.
So, lets check in and see how I did. And, I'll give you an idea of what I want in 2026.

Dear editor, I read Mr. Strickland's heartfelt appeal with admiration for his passion, yet several of his assertions merit closer scrutiny and correction. A constructive dialogue demands both empathy AND evidence, so allow me to set the record straight.
Strickland claims other developed countries provide unquestioned comprehensive coverage. Yet, in Canada and Europe, wait times for non-emergency care often exceed months, and services like dental or vision require supplemental insurance or out-of-pocket costs.

Dear editor: Machiavelli wrote over 400 years ago "one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived."
It has been fascinating and frightening to watch our modern, supposedly sophisticated, society hoodwinked and caught in the grip of a habitual liar and swindler.
The lying long ago reached such a fantastical, cartoonish pitch that I sometimes feel I'm living in one of those movies where aliens are taking over the bodies of the townsfolk, while the few desperately trying to warn the town of danger can't convince anyone that anything is wrong.

Dear editor: My name is Timothy Bryan Gupton -- and I am not running for sheriff of Franklin County.
Tim L. Gupton is my neighbor, friend and distant cousin. He is running for sheriff.
Franklin County needs and deserves a new sheriff, one that will come when you call and make himself visible.

FRANKLINTON -- A Franklin County woman was killed just after Christmas when the car she was driving flipped three times.
Lisa Ann Williams, 59, was driving a car that was reported stolen at the time of the Dec. 26 crash.
According to Trooper I. Alwadei, Williams was driving south on Walter Grissom Road before 9:30 p.m. when the Buick Lacrosse she was driving at a high rate of speed crossed the center line in the area of Sims Bridge Road.

Twins Adalynn and Emmarie ride while mom Alayna Benton keeps a watchful eye on them from a few steps behind

Braxton Appleford and his cousin Avery Grace Hight were riding in style

L.C. Nelms and son, Levi, ride their Farmall

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Lisa A. Williams, age 59, who died on Friday, December 26, 2025, were held on Monday, January 5, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel, Louisburg, NC. Burial will follow in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.

Ember Victoria Puett, was born into God's loving arms on December 29, 2025. Ember is survived by her parents, Hannah Wolan and Jordan Puett; her paternal grandparents, Danny and Melissa Puett; her maternal grandmother, Nancy Wolan; aunts and an uncle; and cousins.

Miss Ember Victoria Puett, was born into God's loving arms on December 29, 2025. Ember is survived by her parents, Hannah Wolan and Jordan Puett; her paternal grandparents, Danny and Melissa Puett; her maternal grandmother, Nancy Wolan; aunts and an uncle; and cousins.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Cindy Ann Debnam, 69, died December 29, 2025 at her home in Louisburg, NC. Cindy was born on September 07, 1956 to the late Owen Charles and Barbara Hudson Debnam. In addition to her parents, Cindy was preceded in death by a sister, Julie Hunt.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Annette Leonard, 67, of the White Level community died at home on December 31, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Burnell and Sedonia Murphy Leonard. In addition to her parents, Annette was preceded in death by a niece; and a brother-in-law.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Juan Rodriguez-Juarez, 52, of Louisburg died in his home on January 4, 2026.

BUNN, NC -- David Carlton Batton, 70, of Bunn, died Monday morning, January 5, 2026 at WakeMed.

HENDERSON, NC -- James Edward Bennett Jr., 95, of Henderson, was born on November 18, 1930, in Vance County, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Suddie Heggie Bennett and James Edward Bennett, Sr. He died December 29, 2025, at Kerr Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Henderson, NC.