Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners will be asked to consider a rezoning that would make a nearly 1,000-acre development more dense.
Durham-based engineers Thomas & Hutton have petitioned Franklin County to rezone 990.78 acres on West River Road from Agricultural Residential to Residential-8, which allows for more dense development.
The primary differences between the two zoning categories are:

SNOWFALL. Franklin County was blanketed by snow last weekend, as precipitation began falling Saturday evening and into Sunday morning -- leaving a few inches of snow, depending on where you were. Above, Ellie McCoy goes flying down a hill at Luddy Park in Youngsville.

LOUISBURG -- Changes to the way Franklin County officials operate aspects of their meetings had to wait another week.
A snow storm prompted county officials and staff to cancel their Feb. 2 meeting, rescheduling it for Feb. 9 -- meaning a vote to change how and when the board can add new items to their agenda will wait a week.
And, that was after the board had already tabled the matter a month.

LOUISBURG -- A case apparently holding up a Youngsville development is slated to appear in court next week.
A Charlotte developer filed a complaint last April, alleging that attempts to enforce and collect a monthly assessment fee -- as part of a disputed restrictive covenants -- has put their residential development in jeopardy.
In December 2021, MTS RAL LLC in Charlotte bought two properties -- 29 acres off Holden Road between Horseman's Trail and Richland Drive -- from Bypass East LLC and Mosswood Partners LLC.

This male cardinal is perched in a cedar tree, either enjoying or at least tolerating the recent ice, snow and cold. Back-to-back storms rolled into Franklin County over the last two weekends, virtually shutting the county down. Temperatures have plunged, especially at night, although they have begun to moderate, making travel and outdoor activities a lot easier in recent days. But as weather prognosticators keep reminding, spring is still a long time off!

YOUNGSVILLE -- Plans for a corporate park still remain mired in litigation, nearly two years after town leaders approved a zoning change that allowed it to proceed.
The case has been assigned to mediation, though. And, failing an out-of-court resolution by April 7, the matter will go to trial in June.
In March 2023, Youngsville commissioners rezoned a 66.12-acre lot from residential to Corporate Park 1 -- the designation needed for Ichiban Fleming Road LLC to develop a 400,000-square-foot technical flex space at the intersection of Fleming Road and East Fleming Farm Drive.

Thanksgiving at Louisburg College volunteer Anne Stuchala

Two motorists escaped significant injury Monday afternoon following this two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Bickett Boulevard and E. Nash Street. Authorities said a lack of witnesses and conflicting reports prevented them from determining who had the light and who was at fault in the wreck.

Okay, one wintry weekend spent inside awaiting the second-coming of the ice age -- which never arrived -- was fine, or at least tolerable.
At least there were a couple of good football games on the tube which provided a bit of distraction from watching the wild birds attack the feeders with gusto while we humans relaxed inside where it was toasty warm.
But two weekends in a row?
This is North Carolina -- and we shouldn't be exposed to that much winter in an entire season, let alone on consecutive weekends.

Honestly, I can say I don't know why.
But, I can tell you what it looks like.
It looks like Franklin County's governing board keeps finding ways to shut out its public.
So, here's the latest example.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners is slated to meet on Monday, making up for the Feb. 2 meeting date that was cancelled because of a snow storm.

Dear editor: As an education advocate of more than 30 years -- and a veteran North Carolina public school teacher -- I strongly encourage voters to take the time to carefully research the school board candidates on their ballot.
Recently, a flyer has circulated claiming to be a "Christian Conservative ballot." Last I checked, God, Jesus, or any other religious figure, is not overseeing local elections or issuing endorsements.

Dear editor: I write in reply to Mr. Strickland's latest epistle, "Trump Held Up a Mirror" (01/22/2026).
On behalf of humanity, I must express our gratitude to him for taking time out of his busy schedule fine tuning creation. He graciously descended from on high, to bring to light the inner thoughts and intentions of the hearts of over 77 million voters, including those in all seven swing states.
Strickland began his revelation with a quote from Harper Lee who wrote a novel about racial prejudice in small town 1930's Alabama.

Dear editor: The chief federal judge in Minnesota slammed ICE last week, saying they violated almost 100 court orders in the state just in January alone. That is more than "some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence."
Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, a conservative jurist appointed by President George W. Bush, said "ICE is not a law unto itself...This list should give pause to anyone - no matter his or her political beliefs - who cares about the rule of law."

FRANKLINTON ­-- A child advocacy organization presented awards, grants and honors to educators during its annual Recognition Banquet.
FGV Smart Start held the event on Jan. 22, recognizing educators who have made a difference in the beginning of children's lives.
Smart Start awarded scholarships to assist early child care educators who are taking professional development classes or seeking Early Childhood Certification credentials.

Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start awarded scholarships to early childhood educators who help children get a leg up. These teachers are taking professional development classes or seeking Early Childhood Certification credentials. Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Cassandra Evans, Accessing Higher Education Coordinator; Martynetta Hargrove, Brenda Yancey, Director of Child Care Resource and Referral; Donathan Muldrow, Patty Green, FGV Board Chair; Kimberlee Higgs, Breanna Ragland and Dr. Tony Cozart, Executive Director. Not pictured is scholarship recipient, Baylee Fowler.

Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start awarded grants to operators of early child care centers, which help to improve the learning environment for children.

Louisburg, NC -- Renee Reese Smith, 54, of Louisburg, died Saturday evening, January 31, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Joseph Alec Hartsfield, age 66, who died on Sunday, February 1, 2026, will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

Wake Forest, NC -- Funeral services for Johnny Edward Tanner, Sr., age 78, who died on Friday, January 30, 2026, will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 12 p.m. from the Greenfield Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC with Rev. Melvin Baker, officiating.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Carrie Bell Kearney Brodie, 94, of Franklinton, was born July 27, 1931, in Franklinton, North Carolina, to the late Vincent Levi Kearney and Ruth Parrish Kearney. She died January 14, 2026, at her home.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Michael King Jolly was born on September 9, 1953 in Raleigh, NC, and was raised in Louisburg, NC by his parents, Wilbur and Sybil Jolly. He died January 28, 2026.

Sarah Ann Johnson Pearce, 96, passed away on February 02, 2026 at Hillside Nursing in Wake Forest, NC. Sarah was born on July 21, 1929 to the late Charlie and Birtie Ray Johnson. In addition to her parents, Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Pearce and her eight siblings.

Louisburg, NC -- Sherry Stell Bell, 64, of Louisburg passed away on January 30, 2026 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. Sherry was born on September 19, 1961 in Wake County to the late Bobby and Patricia Powell Stell.