Recent Articles

Former assistant principal Clarence E. Hicks, who retired from Franklinton High School in 2019, recently had a pleasant surprise when purchasing a new vehicle in Raleigh. He purchased the vehicle from his former student, Keinan Chetti, who graduated from Franklinton High in 2019. Hicks said this is a reunion worth talking about, knowing that former young students are doing well and being good, productive citizens in society.

LOUISBURG -- A roomful of passionate pool advocates -- again -- pushed county leadership for a county-sponsored pool.
On Monday night, they were backed by Louisburg leadership -- who have made official their desire to partner with the county for a recreational center, complete with a public pool.
Still, county leadership offered no comment after voting down an April 21 motion to seek federal grants for the project.

LOUISBURG -- Long-simmering frustrations boiled into the open during Monday's Louisburg Economic Development Committee meeting -- and much of that frustration was aimed at town officials.
The frustration reached the point where EDC Chairman Will Hinton relinquished his chairmanship, saying that he was the "right person at the wrong time" to try to lead the group forward.

CASTALIA -- Tempest Cellars isn't perched on the hills of Tuscany, but if you've got one of Joe Burgess' wines in hand while watching cows graze in a pasture, or you stroll by 150-year-old barn or find yourself staring at a peaceful two-and-half acre pond -- you could probably taste the best of Italy.
"His wines are awesome," said Joe's dad, Vann Burgess, who, along with his wife, Gayle, decided to make their retirement a bit more active by starting Franklin County's only winery last year.

LOUISBURG -- In its consent agenda, Franklin County commissioners adopted a resolution asking the state to re-include money to expand the section of U.S. 401 from Royal into Louisburg.
While the consent agenda does not require discussion, resident and former State Department of Transportation engineer Gary Faulkner took to the podium during the public comments portion of the meeting to share just how important it is for the county -- and anyone else interested in the roadway -- to let their voices be heard.

BUNN -- Town commissioners took a proactive step for their police department, anticipating adding more resources for law enforcement in the coming fiscal year.
The town also agreed to let a Raleigh company handle their trash.
During an April 22 budget work session, by consensus, commissioners agreed to present the public with a budget that raises property tax rates -- primarily to hire another full-time law enforcement officer and outfit them with the resources they'll need, including a new police truck.

Armenta Eaton

Often referred to as the "Orange Superfood" sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a warm season crop and a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).
Sweet potatoes are grown for the large storage roots they produce and are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "yams."
Yams are an entirely separate plant and it is unlikely that many locals have eaten a true yam.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville police are investigating a report of a sexual assault.
According to the incident log, the incident was reported to authorities the morning of April 17.
The location is listed as the 100 block of W. Franklin Street.

Although I'm not sure how it happened, the first week of May is already behind us -- and I hope you're getting outside to enjoy this great weather.
And here's a suggestion: Make sure you find some locally grown strawberries soon because this year's crop, as always, is delicious.
Locally grown berries are getting harder to find since many of our growers have stopped producing strawberries but there are local berries available if you do a little research which, I think, you'll find is well worth the effort.

It was on the county's consent agenda, but it almost got past me.
The week of May 4-10 is the 56th annual Professional Municipal Clerk's Week.
And, why was it on the county's agenda?!? That's because County Clerk Kristen King makes sure essential information gets out to the public and the media.
And, she's not the only one.

Dear editor: I am writing this letter to express my support for building a public pool in Franklin County.
My family and I moved to North Carolina and specifically Franklin County about four years ago, and though I love this community and have made it my home, I noticed that there were things that this community was lacking.
The fact that we do not have a public pool or recreational facility like many of the other surrounding counties and communities is absurd to me.

Dear editor: We citizens have entrusted our commissioners and county manager to spend our tax money in a timely and efficient way to fulfill our most urgent need.
It has been made apparent that water is our first priority.
A study is necessary to reveal where that impoundment would best be positioned in the county.

Dear editor: For quite some time now, every Monday, my granddaughter and I go to the local Louisburg library at 4 p.m.
There are other wonderful programs throughout the week for young people, younger, and older adults . . . plus helpful and cheerful staff willing to help you find whatever you might need from teaching Internet skills to helping you locate a library book via interlibrary loan.

Franklinton High School Principal Russell Holloman has been suspended with pay during an investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred on a school district activity bus in March.
School officials also said shortly before press time on Wednesday that the veteran principal has been recommended for termination.
The allegation against him is that he failed to properly report an incident to either the school system's administrative staff or law enforcement.

LOUISBURG -- Next week's court session could determine if there is any movement in a robbery case that involved shots being fired at deputies.
Gavin Davis was in court last month to face charges that he, and others, went on a Dollar General crime spree in October 2023.
His April case was continued as prosecutors awaited outcomes of a defendant's case in federal court.
That federal case, local prosecutors said, is expected to determine who fired the shots -- which would weigh on how they proceed here in Franklin County.

WARRENTON, NC -- Funeral services for Sallie Mae Lynch, age 98, who died on Monday, May 5, 2025, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister with Pastor Robert Hedgepeth officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Chapel Memorial Garden Cemetery.

HENDERSON, NC -- Kathy Diane Faulkner Ayscue, 65, died May 4, 2025 at Maria Parham Health in Henderson, NC. Kathy was born on November 28, 1959 to the late Roger Faulkner and Leoma Weaver Bishop.

LONGVIEW, TX -- Funeral services for Horace A. Richardson, age 83, formerly of Warrenton, NC, who died on Thursday, May 1, 2025, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Warrenton with Rev. Eric Evans officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Jones Richardson Family Cemetery.

Raleigh, NC -- Funeral services for Emma Jean Robertson, age 86, who died on Monday, April 28, 2025, were held Monday, May 5, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Melvin Johnson officiating.

BUNN -- Town commissioners have been presented with a budget that would raise taxes -- an expense necessary to round out the town's police force, officials said.
During a work session on April 22, Town Administrator Dottie Taylor presented the board with a 2025-26 spending plan that increases spending by about $70,000 more than the current budget.
The police department, which includes a new police chief, full-time sergeant and plans for another full-time position (and $60,500 spread over five years to buy and outfit a truck) to provide better law enforcement coverage would see their budget increase by more than $160,000.

Above, Monroe Richman doesn't mind doing the dirty work, providing some landscaping work at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Louisburg as part of the Global Youth Day of Service on Saturday.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners updated its agreement with the Youngsville Fire Department that continues the southwestern unit's official partnership with the county as a wing of its EMS system.
There wasn't any discussion about the county's efforts to broker similar partnerships with other fire departments around the county.
Youngsville has had a medical responder program agreement with Franklin County since 2012 that allows its fire department to act as emergency medical response units on the county's behalf before county EMS units arrive on a scene.