Recent Articles

BUNN -- The Bunn High community was grieving the loss of a student and trying to lift his family.
According to the State Highway Patrol, a 17-year-old was driving east on N.C. 98 near Bethlehem Church Road at about 11 p.m. on Aug. 22 when the GMC Yukon he was driving ran off the road and hit a tree.
Franklin County Schools confirmed that it was Juan Alvarado Vazquez who died.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners approved two property decisions -- one a potential revenue stream and another to improve the entrance into downtown.
All told, including $400,000 from the state General Assembly, the town made a $663,000 commitment during their Aug. 18 meeting.
Town officials said the renovation projects will, ultimately, generate revenue for the town and pay for itself, while changing the entrance into downtown and expanding available space.

ON DISPLAY. The town of Youngsville has become the latest place where the Arts Council of Franklin County can display unique sculptures. Above, an astronomy-inspired sculpture is on display at Louisburg College on Main Street.

YOUNGSVILLE -- The town of Youngsville and one of its most popular seniors have joined forces.
In April, resident Twig Wiggins asked if the Youngsville Board of Commissioners could set aside space, at least once a week, so seniors could gather, play cards, socialize and have fun.
Starting on Sept. 2 -- and every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. thereafter -- the Youngsville Town Hall will be made available for Youngsville Cards & Friends, an opportunity for folks 50 and over to gather, play cards and have a snack.

Fletcher Cross puts on his livestock thinking cap

YOUNGSVILLE -- The Arts Council of Franklin County is bringing its beauty bandwagon to Youngsville.
A year ago, the nonprofit group launched Sculpture in Franklin -- an initiative that pairs North Carolina-based artists with towns and communities, placing art in public spaces.
"... One of our goals," Arts Council President Lauren Anderson told Youngsville commissioners, "is to help beautify our communities and figure out ways we can get the public more access to the arts.

SCOUTS GO SWIMMING. It was sometime in the 1920s that Boy Scout Troop 1 headed to Balance Rock for a swim. Shown here in the front row, left to right, are George Cook, George Ragland, Karl Allen, James Stova II, Bill Scoggin, Snooky Uzzell, Arthur Ragland and Numa Freeman. In the back row, from the left, are Frank Hudson, Atward Newell, Ernest Ferguson, Bill Mills, Lewis Scoggin, Arthur "Doc" Fleming and James Wheless. Also, notice the car parked in the background.

YOUNGSVILLE -- By disguising education as fun, the Cooperative Extension has been bolstering the ranks of agriculture enthusiasts for more than a decade.
The annual Franklin County 4-H Livestock Fun Show serves as entry point for youngsters, giving them a chance to learn and display their knowledge about animals in a less formal setting -- giving them the chance to make mistakes, learn from them and have a good time, all at once.
"... I believe it is important to foster youth's interest in the world of animal science to spark their interest in future careers that are available to them," said Cooperative Extension Agent Meg Wyatt, who focuses on 4-H and youth development.

Sweet, juicy, and naturally nutritious, fresh figs are one of summer's hidden treasures. Harvested during the warm months, figs have been enjoyed for thousands of years and are prized for their unique flavor and impressive nutritional value.
Whether eaten fresh, dried, or incorporated into recipes, figs provide a delicious way to add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet.
Fresh figs are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them as a quick snack, add them to salads, pair them with yogurt or cottage cheese, blend them into smoothies, or serve them alongside lean proteins and whole grains for a balanced meal.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the construction of a tower to boost cell service and emergency communications near the county line.
Network Towers, a Raleigh corporation managed by Thomas Kane, petitioned the county to build a nearly 200-feet monopole tower in the area of 1733 N. White Street.

You probably remember the old joke about a young person who was talking to his banker.
The customer whines, "but my account can't possibly be overdrawn, I still have checks!"
That may have brought a chuckle when you first heard it but I'm about to suggest how that same concept applies to Franklin County -- and you're probably not going to like it one little bit.

In this line of work, I get a front-row seat to watch people at their best ... and, their worst.
And, that goes for adults and kids.
Last Thursday was a good day.
It was the 14th year of the Franklin County Fun 4-H Livestock Show, a chance for kids to share their animal knowledge, demonstrate their care and control of chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats.

Dear editor: This November, North Carolina voters will be asked to decide on two constitutional amendments that could have consequences far beyond what their titles suggest.
One would permanently cap the state income tax rate at 3.5%. The other would require the General Assembly to create limits on how much local governments can raise through property taxes, without telling voters what those limits will actually be.

Dear editor: Add Franklin County Environmental Heath Department to the list of places where employees seem to keep an attitude and not polite.
I reached out to Environmental Health Department on Aug. 3, because I had questions regarding zoning permit and how to go about obtaining a Perc test. The person that answered my call, Tonya, seemed bothered and irritated at approximately 9 a.m.
I don't know the process/guideline for prepping land to build a dwelling and thought I was calling to the department that should be more than happy to assist.

Dear editor: True No Kings Americans are unlikely to unite to halt Trump's autocratic and cruel train in its tracks as long as so many of us act as though we were born a member of a pre-ordained political team and essentially have Republican or Democrat branded to our arms or backs.
Our founding fathers were strong individualists and critical thinkers. The U.S. Constitution does not address the matter of political parties.
George Washington did not affiliate with any organized political group.

Dear editor: A government-run electricity delivery system is being scrutinized in connection with the recent deaths of a family of three and their pets in Rocky Mount.
Louisburg is poised to catch up with Murder Mount's body count, any day now, weather permitting.
With hundreds of families reportedly denied access to the life-preserving power grid in Rocky Mount, its power officials have boldly planned to attend the ElectriCities conference at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.

The Franklinton Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting, ceremonially opening Tar River Interiors. Owners Chris and Sean Kingsley, center, were flanked by, from left, Town Manager Zach Steffey, town Commissioner Judy McArn, county Commissioner Roxanne Bragg, employees Andy Ayscue and Sue Schenker. Not pictured is Dawn Perry. Previously located in Louisburg, the Franklinton location features locally owned home furnishings and décor and vintage finds. The shop is located at 1 N. Main Street in Franklinton

There has always been something magical about the start of a new school year.
As a father of two FCS students starting new journeys, I saw firsthand the spark in their eyes. As I traveled to visit schools, I continually saw that same spark.
But where does that spark come from? Is it the opportunity to meet new friends?
Is it the beginning of something new? Is it the opportunity to showcase a new backpack or pair of shoes?
I think similarly to a Disney excursion, it is an opportunity to have a new experience.

Students will encounter a wide range of obstacles over the course of their academic careers. As students progress through academia, many learn to overcome new challenges by looking back on past experiences when they faced obstacles and ultimately prevailed.
Younger students do not necessarily have that history of overcoming academic challenges to help them when faced with fresh obstacles. When reading for school, young students may not have identified an approach that can help them more easily comprehend texts.

•Make sure you know your full name, street address and phone number including area code. If you can't remember all of these things, carry them on a piece of paper. In case of emergency, call 911.

•Know how to use the telephone for help in case of an emergency.

•Never get into anyone's car without your parents' permission.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Robert "Bob" Earl Wilder, son of the late John Simpson Wilder and Mabel Perry Wilder, was born on September 13, 1935, and died at the age of 90 years old, on August 17, 2026..

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Charlotte Harris Cooke, 84, passed away on August 22, 2026 at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC.

Franklinton, NC -- Andrew Robert Lortcher, Sr., 84, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026 at his home in Franklinton.