Recent Articles

Dear editor, In response to Mr. Strickland's latest letter I have analyzed, equipped with a gas mask, Strickland's 35 screeds which he euphemistically calls "letters to the editor." Mind you, he has been able to bombard this space with 35 "letters" in a mere 13 months. Upon reviewing these I have compiled the following observations.
Apparently, it is no longer enough to criticize immigration enforcement or executive actions in plain English.

Dear editor: In The New York Times, Dave Marcus recently wrote "the end of climate change hoax." Matt Huber suggested that climate change is the most expensive hoax in history. This opinion is in The New York Times.
There have been trillions of dollars spent by government and industry to fight this situation which, in fact, might be a hoax. Think of how the world be far better if off we had been focused on maximizing the use of fossil fuels rather than pushing electric vehicles.

Dear editor: I believe I sent an opinion this past week regarding your newspaper weaponizing the liberal left that has followers who are ready to arm up, as our recently gunman at the journalist convention. I do not see it posted. Mr. Days says it exactly, some people read the vitriol from Mr. Strickland and amass it in their brains over days or weeks and then do some act of violence, like murder or attempted murder. We have seen it over and over again. The Democrat party has become known as the party of violence.

Raleigh, NC -- Funeral services for Phyllis Rosalyn Comfort, age 75, who died on Thursday, May 7, 2026, will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. from the Old Liberty Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC.

Faye Mitchell Holton, age 82, died May 7, 2026.

LOUISBURG - Bobby Brown Chamblee, 81, of Louisburg, died Monday afternoon, May 4, 2026.

Bunn, NC -- Kannie Lee Horton Perry, 94, of Bunn, NC, died at her home on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Franklinton, NC -- Vernon Homer Lowery, age 83, of Franklinton, North Carolina, died at his residence on Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2026. He was born on August 12, 1942, in Franklin County, to the late, Luther Cleveland Lowery Sr. and Letha Mae White Lowery.

ZEBULON, NC -- Joseph Richard Eicher, 86, of Zebulon, passed away Tuesday afternoon surrounded by his family.

Sometimes there is nothing quite like a controversy or a crisis to make one stop, think and reflect.
The recent fiasco of the county trying to clandestinely get the right to dip into Kerr Lake has been one of those times, at least for me.
Our county leadership -- after literally decades of inaction or totally ineffective action -- has suddenly realized it is facing a potential water crisis and, if this drought continues, maybe even a water shortage.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County management presented a spending plan for 2026-27 that gives the school system what it asked for, doesn't raise taxes, provides employees with a raise, and lowers utility rates for low-water users.
County Manager Ryan Preble said the budget reflects months of careful planning, collaboration and decision-making.
"We worked diligently to balance fiscal responsibility with the growing needs of our community," Preble said, "prioritizing the retention of our dedicated workforce and making strategic investment in our facilities.

Louisburg Magnet High School hosted the Franklin County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 28. Dozens of athletes took part in walking, running and throwing competitions during the annual event. Above, Louisburg Police Officer Lonnie Shumate, along with athletes Marquis Lynch and Shae McDonough carry the Olympic Torch as part of the Spring Game festivities. Athletes were able to demonstrate the results of their practice and hard work getting ready for the annual games. Local games serve as opportunities for athletes to qualify for the Special Olympics of North Carolina State Games.

ZEBULON -- "Taste the ice cream. Just taste it."
It's sort of the motto that Todd Ward tells anyone asking about Holly Creek Creamery, the micro dairy in southern Franklin County he runs with his wife, DeeDee, and his daughter, Victoria Brown.
"We want people to come, see where we are, taste the product," Ward said in the days leading up to this Sunday's Franklin County Women in Ag Local Foods Farm Tour.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville has hired its newest planning director.
Star Brantley, town management said, brings a solid foundation in urban planning, public administration and community engagement, along with a diverse professional background to support the town's continued growth and development.
"My approach to planning and zoning initiatives in Youngsville is rooted in thoughtful consideration, not rapid expansion," Brantley said.

Cancer survivor Marie Kidd, during the recent Relay for Life at FHS

Pianist Keiko Sekino will present music of Mozart and Franz Schubert at Cherry Hill on Sunday, May 10. The Mother's Day program will begin at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the antebellum home of the George Washington Alston family.
Built in 1858, the Inez plantation home is the site of the Cherry Hill Concert Series and is open for touring after the event.

When most people get caught doing the equivalent of an end-run attempt to gain legislative powers that thumbs their nose at similarly elected leaders in their "neighboring" counties, there's usually a mea culpa moment ... maybe even an attempt to apologize -- even if you don't really mean it.
There was an opportunity for Franklin County commissioners, management and staff to do that during their May 4 meeting.
Didn't happen.

Dear editor: When my mother was well into her 90s, she began to noticeably decline, both physically and mentally. Her doctor gave her a cognitive test to assess her mental acuity.
She was asked to repeat a short string of words, do some simple arithmetic, draw a clock face, identify the town she lived in, and distinguish between an elephant and a horse.

Dear editor: I announced that I love uneducated people.
My "deer in the headlights" followers responded with adulation and glee.
This response begs the question: How much "dumber than dirt" can anyone possibly be?
It is oh so easy to fool those who "have not a clue."

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's new grant writer/economic developer, David Pyoas of D.B. Pyoas and Associates, had his first sit down meeting with the town's Economic Development Committee last Thursday, although only three members of the formerly nine-member committee attended.
Pyoas started the meeting by telling those in attendance that his first impression is that Louisburg has two challenges, infrastructure development to sustain growth and ending the out-migration of local young people who choose not to stay in town after completing their educations.

A DAY OF SERVICE. Global Youth Service Day was celebrated last month in and around Franklin County, and around the world. The April 25 event was an opportunity for youth to volunteer in their communities on projects. Above, Elijah Crudup helped paint the gazebo at Irene Mitchell Park in Youngsville;

HENDERSON -- Legislation that juggles incorporated land passed the Senate and was on the North Carolina House's calender last Wednesday.
The section that would have given Franklin County the authority to buy or condemn land from its neighbors -- without the approval of those leaders -- was removed from the bill, though.
It was a win for opponents of Franklin County's legislative push.