Recent Articles

CENTERVILLE -- For Louisburg firefighter Ramey Seal, his destiny was written ... by himself.
The Franklin County Firefighters Association named Seal as its Firefighter of the Year during its annual banquet and awards ceremony recently.
The honor serves as a milestone in a career that Seal couldn't escape if he tried. And, he never wanted to.
"... I started late in the paid service, but I've always been a fireman," said Seal, who, after retiring from Louisburg, returned as a part-time engineer and "information man" for the department.

County Firefighters Association President Russell Mullen (left) recognized Franklinton's Darrell Chalk and David Robbins for 40 years of service.

FIVE OH! Franklin County Firefighters Association President Russell Mullen, left, presents Justice Firefighter Kenneth Williams with a plaque, recognizing his 50 years of service in the fire community.

CENTERVILLE -- Even as a youngster, Henry Nelms' voice was critical when it came to founding the Centerville Fire Department.
On the planning board for 30 years, he had a say in how Franklin County was developed.
As either mayor or a member of Centerville's governing board, he had a word in what happened in the north central Franklin County town.
And, as an auctioneer, his distinct, quick clipped voice is the last thing you'd hear before making an offer on some piece of farm equipment.

LOUISBURG -- A Louisburg man authorities allege shot and tried to kill a deputy is slated to appear in Franklin County District Court in January.
Franklin County Sheriff's Investigator Garrett Stanly charged Jermaine Anthony Branch with attempted first degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, fleeing to elude arrest and assault on a government official -- all for his role in shooting Dep. Taylor Lucas point-blank, in the chest.
Lucas survived his injuries.

LOUISBURG -- A suspect accused of killing a Bunn man about a week before Thanksgiving in 2024 is slated to appear in court later this month.
The attorney for Talib Na-Quan Alexander has asked a judge to set a $50,000 bond, arguing that the 23-year-old shot Xavier Clifton in self defense.
According to authorities, officers were dispatched to 547 N.C. 39 South at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2024 to investigate a shooting.
When they arrived, they found Clifton suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County planning staff and a Youngsville businessman reached a settlement agreement, essentially ending a nearly four-year-long property use dispute and erasing nearly $60,000 in accumulated fines.
In December 2021, Craig Rooth began clearing his N.C. 96 property to expand his trucking business, without a permit, planning staff found.

Above, Youngsville Mayor Fonzie Flowers, right, reads the oath of office to BJ Ayscue, who was aided in his commissioner's pledge by Henry David Ayscue.

Incumbent Commissioner Cat Redd takes the oath from Town Clerk Emily Hurd.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Auditors gave town finances a clean bill of health, but there was one slight blemish -- which town staff and officials have already rectified.
During the board's Nov. 13 meeting, Lee Grissom, a certified public accountant with S. Preston Douglas & Associates, presented the town with its 2025 audit, which reflected the town's strong financial positioning, a more than healthy fund balance and no crucial issues.
"... We issued an unmodified opinion, a clean audit opinion," Grissom said. "That's our highest level of assurance on financial statements."

Here's hoping you and yours had a happy, safe and very Merry Christmas this year.
It was no surprise, but we missed out on a white Christmas but all around Franklin County the holiday decorations, especially the lights, more than made up for the missing cold white stuff that can make travel so difficult and dangerous.
Actually, I suspect many of us enjoyed a very mild Christmas season!
By now, Santa is back at the North Pole, probably with his feet up in front of a roaring fire and sipping a cup of hot chocolate.

If you're familiar with this column, then, you might be familiar with another annual tradition: Making fun of wacky New Year's Eve traditions, while offering ideas on how local folks can ring in the New Year.
Well, at least for one town, I can keep my hare-brained thoughts to myself.
Back in 2021, I suggested the town lean into its Funkytown persona and drop a giant saxophone to ring in the new year.
Well, the powers that be had a better idea and instead will drop a disco ball to celebrate First Night Funkytown, a New Year's Eve celebration starting at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Dear editor: Imagine living in a country where everyone has comprehensive health insurance.
Everything is covered without question, from preventive routine care to surgery, from prescription drugs to rehabilitation.
Imagine living in a country where hundreds of thousands of people don't go bankrupt each year from medical debt.
Here in the US, 80% of the people forced into bankruptcy have health insurance. Most of them are middle-class, employed, college-educated homeowners.

The Franklin County Firefighters Association donated toys to help the Franklin County Department of Social Services provide Christmas for those in need in the area. Firefighters Chase Pulley, Mark Rowe, and Firefighters Association Vice President Bobby Peters were joined by DSS staff members Susan Weathers and Nicole Perry. The Franklin County Firefighters Association has raised funds for the project for years, generating the money necessary to help brighten Christmas for area children.

Firefighters, from left, Mark Rowe, Chase Pulley and Bobby Peters take toys from a utility trailer, preparing to give them to the folks at the Franklin County Department of Social Services, who helps provide Christmas gifts for those in need. The Franklin County Firefighters Association has partnered with DSS for years to help make Christmas a bit better in Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- Emergency crews responded to a plane crash at Franklin County's airport on Tuesday morning.
According to authorities, minor damage and minor injuries were reported.
According to emergency radio traffic transmitted across Broadcastify, a plane was reported to have gone off the runway at Triangle North Franklin Executive Airport at about 9:40 a.m.

Incumbent Louisburg Town Council member Betty Wright took the oath of office for another term during the board's Dec. 15 meeting. Judge Adam Keith administered the oath as Wright was joined by, from left, son Tracy Wright, brother and campaign manager Richard Keith, and son Kevin Wright. Betty Wright was also chosen as the Council's mayor pro tem.

Franklin Academy Charter School recently partnered with Franklin County Schools Child Nutrition staff at Louisburg High School. The staff and LHS students collected milk cartons for Franklin Academy's first grade for their annual Holiday Gingerbread House event. Shown here are some Franklin County first graders with their candy creations, some of which were not only creative, they looked great! At the top left is Abigail Atila; bottom left is Whitaker Pollock; Evan Cortright is at the top right; top to bottom are Avery Dunning, Ezra Owusu, Cash Davis, brothers Nathan Fortlage, a first grader, and Jacob Fortlage who is in kindergarten.

The Rev. Felecia Hardy

Clayton Frederick Magee Jr., 82, died unexpectedly on December 23, 2025.

Nashville, NC -- Memorial services for Mozellia V. Douglas, age 83, who died on Thursday, December 25, 2025 will be held on Wednesday, January 7, at 1 p.m. from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 1830 Old Mill Road, Rocky Mount, NC.

FAMILY AFFAIR. Incumbent Council member Betty Wright took the oath of office for another term during the board's Dec. 15 meeting. Judge Adam Keith administered the oath as Wright was joined by, from left, son Tracy Wright, brother Keith Wright and son and campaign manager Kevin Wright. Betty Wright was also chosen as the Council's mayor pro tem.

These two young ladies recently provided Santa Clas their special wish lists when the Jolly Old Gent from the North Pole visited Louisburg United Methodist just before Thansgiving. In the photo above, Anna Faulkner, 10, is all smiles as she tells Santa what she would most like this year. As usual, Santa has been a busy guy this year, riding in parades, attending Christmas tree lightings, reading to children and, of course, listening to wish lists from children who are excited about his annual visit this week.