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Sovereign Le Bey, almost two

Above, Down Home's Ashley Sanneh, as Marie Antoinette, is aided by Rosemary Champion as they put on a performance in front of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' meeting space on Monday. Members said it was an opportunity to hear directly from rural residents about the stakes of policy decisions, like the One Big Beautiful Bill, and state budget cuts. It was also part of the group's growing call for accountability and transparency from local government.

Franklinton Area Community Theatre players, from left, Myles Tambling (King of Hearts; Caleb Lawrence (Caterpillar); Hazel Zimmermann (Small Alice); Emily Hanson (Alice); Mililani Allen (Tall Alice); and Anna Harris (Queen of Hearts) join others in a run through of Alice in Wonderland Jr. The community theater group will be putting on a performance of the musical the weekend of April 17.

Spring has arrived in Franklin County -- complete with typical temperatures that yo-yo from almost summer-like one day to downright chilly a day or two later.
As usual for this time of the year, the winds have been brisk -- and that keeps tons of pollen stirred up, which may be good for plants but isn't much fun for those with seasonal allergies.
But what is most noticeable this year is the fact that it is very, very dry -- and that the few showers most of us have received have been far too little and far too short to change that very much.

The job of a reporter can open you up to experiences that are weird or wonderful ... and, sometimes, both.
I've had to drink moonshine in order to secure an interview for coverage of the annual Neuse River Days in New Bern.
Trust me, it was worth it to get the crew of the Cirrhosis of the River to open up to me.
In order to get adrenaline junkies to trust me in Lynchburg, Va., I had to agree to go tandem skydiving before they'd be willing to talk with me.

Dear editor: President Obama's signature foreign policy achievement was the agreement with Iran to restrict their nuclear program.
The Iranians reduced their enriched uranium stockpile by 98 percent, leaving them a fraction of the amount needed for even one weapon.
They removed most of their centrifuges and stored them under international supervision.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had 24/7 inspection access to Iranian nuclear facilities. The IAEA always reported that Iran was in compliance.

Dear editor: I've worked really hard to deceive you.
I've tried every trick in the book.
I've lately come to a realization.
You're not as dumb as you look.

Pianist Kwan Yi and violist Rachel Yonan will perform at Cherry Hill on Sunday, April 12.
The program will open with Franz Schubert's "Arpeggione Sonata" and will include works by Debussy, Chopin, Faure, Mendelssohn, Arvo Part, and James MacMillan.
Sunday's performance marks a return to Cherry Hill for Kwan Yi, while introducing a well-recognized violist to the local concert venue.

RALEIGH -- Freshman Rett Johnson has been named a 2026 Perfect Game Midseason Freshman All-American and is also listed on the 2026 Midseason College Freshman of the Year Watchlist by Baseball America.
A spark plug at both the top and bottom of the lineup this season, Johnson has batted .400/.518/.506 with a home run, six doubles, eight stolen bases, and 21 walks to just seven strikeouts over his first 27 career appearances.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners gave another advisory board a reprieve.
But, if there are not enough folks interested in preserving the Historic Preservation Commission, the board, itself, will become history.
In February, commissioners were set to shut down four advisory boards, arguing that they were either no longer meeting, performing a public service or needed to be revamped.

Jahlana Mitchell fills her basket in Bunn.

Jade Smith is all bundled up during the Easter egg hunt in Franklinton.

Madilyn and Lylah Medlin pose with the Easter bunny in Bunn.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Stella M. Smith, age 66, who died on Thursday, April 2, 2026, will be held Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m. from the Ambassadors for Christ, Louisburg, NC.

Spring Hope, NC -- Mary Ann Spruill Green, 61, of Spring Hope died April 5, 2026.

Franklinton, NC -- Betty Smith Hinton, 81, of Franklinton, died April 4, 2026 at Franklin Oaks in Louisburg, NC. Betty was born on July 7, 1944 to the late Sidney Albert Smith Sr. and Ruby Davis Smith.

ALERT, NC -- Kenneth Martin Radford, 65, of Alert, died Monday, April 1, 2026. He was born to Robert and Virginia Mosley Radford in Franklin County, NC on March 24, 1961.

Youngsville, NC -- Bobby Sanford Pearce, 87, died April 6, 2026 at his home in Youngsville, NC. Bobby was born in Franklin County on March 11, 1939 to the late Henry and Mary Rogers Pearce .

Louisburg, NC -- William "Bill" Pittman, 78, of Louisburg died April 1, 2026.

Louisburg, NC -- Julia Wrenn Alford, 74, of Louisburg, died Thursday, April 2, 2026. She was born to the late Dorsey and Mary Thomas Wynne Wrenn on October 5, 1951 in Wake County, NC.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Shirley Crumpler Daniels, 98, of Louisburg, passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026.

WARRENTON -- In prepared remarks, Franklin County staff said it can't meet development demand, which is why it's asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to free up more than 15 million gallons per day of water.
However, when staring down a Warren County Armory Civic Center full of residents who opposed the measure, Franklin County leaders were silent.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted a community engagement meeting last week, giving residents, property owners and other interested parties surrounded and served by the lake an opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council approved a rezoning request that helps clear the way for a proposed Senior Living apartment complex adjacent to Shannon Village Shopping Center.
The action came Monday after a two-hour special called meeting that began with a public hearing and quickly spiraled into a debate that included not only the senior apartments but also a proposed townhouse development nearby.