Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners made some changes to the county's Unified Development Ordinance, including how it governs accessory structures, limitations for teaching and tutoring home occupations, and making sure its rules are in compliance with FEMA's national flood insurance program.
Franklin County Interim Planning and Inspections Director Jason Rogers presented the changes to officials during their July 14 meeting.
The most important change, Rogers told commissioners, was enacting recommendations made by the State Department of Public Safety and FEMA, which conducts periodic checks to make sure governments are in compliance with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.

LOUISBURG -- A local foundation donated more than $6,000 to bolster community efforts in and around the county.
"Investing in local nonprofits and community,," said Franklin County Community Foundation Advisory Board President Ashley Jarema, "is crucial for community resilience.
"Our permanent philanthropy ensures our grants make a significant difference."

WAKE FOREST -- A Franklin County man is slated to appear in court next month on charges that he killed his seven-week-old son.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Patrick R. Jordan in April, alleging he seriously injured and killed Chozen Jordan in January of 2024.
Court documents do not account for the time between the date of offense -- Jan. 22, 2024 -- and the April 21 arrest this year.
Court documents indicate the child sustained broken ribs and a broken clavicle.

Maria Parham Franklin has announced the start of a renovation project to transform its Emergency Department, with construction set to begin in late July or early August.
This project will focus on improving care for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.
The renovation is to create designated areas within the Emergency Department tailored to meet the needs of behavioral health and mental health patients, providing a safer, more supportive environment for patients and care team members.

I could almost swear that it's been only two or three weeks since I saw Franklin County farmers beginning to set out tiny tobacco plants.
The soils were pretty dry, the days were cool, the nights cooler still and if those little plants could have talked, they would have complained about being abandoned in such a hostile environment after basking in a greenhouse.
But, of course, the rains came, the days got hot, the nights warmer -- and all those plants got acclimated to Franklin County dirt and started growing at a remarkable rate.

I remember when I was younger and I'd go to my grandmother's house, the conversation would inevitably get around who recently died.
My grandmother would rattle off names of folks and I'm sure I might have met them in passing, when I was much younger and you don't really remember people's names.
She would tell me how I knew them and why I should know them but, quite frankly, it didn't always register.

Dear editor: I am beyond disappointed in the process our county took on the 2026 budget.
The lack of transparency is glaring. There were no open work sessions. As the people you represent, it is your responsibility to let us into the conversation.
What are you thinking or not thinking about?
What are your priorities and concerns?

Community Cares will have a Neighborhood Read & Feed event at 10 a.m., Friday, July 25 at Franklin Court Apartments, 120 D Franklin Court Apartments, Louisburg.
Grace Ministries, the Interfaith Council and Blessings, Inc. have donated food, fresh bread, fresh vegetables and a free hot dog lunch for all those who attend.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District recognized Franklin County students after concluding this year's NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation Education Contests.
Prizes were awarded for entries in the 2024-2025 Poster, Essay, and Computer Designed Slideshow contests and the 2024-2025 Bookmark contest.
The 2024 contest theme was 'Wetlands Are Wonderful' and students in third through fifth grade were eligible to enter the Poster Contest.

LOUISBURG -- Arlee Arkofa could not outrun his love for horses.
He never really tried.
From the time he was 11, the Elizabeth City native loved horses. He earned a degree in Zoology at UNC.
But, his calling was the church, pastoring churches in Greenville and New York before returning to North Carolina.

Percy Goodwyn out at Riverbend Park

A story in the July 17 edition of The Franklin Times incorrectly identified one of the folks tasked with helping Animal Services Advisory Board member Lawanna Johnson craft standard operating procedures for the animal shelter. It was Dianne Barrett who was tasked with providing that assistance.
The Franklin Times regrets the error.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Walter P. Brown Sr., age 99, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Johnson, eulogist.

Louisburg, NC -- Mary Delores Evans, 72, of Louisburg, died Monday afternoon, July 21, 2025, at Maria Parham Hospital surrounded by her family.

Franklinton, NC -- Funeral services for Lizzie Mae Mangrum, age 89, who died on Monday, July 21, 2025, will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. from the Greater Ransom Way of the Cross Temple in Henderson, NC with the pastor, Bishop Michael Alston, officiating.

Richard James Smith, Sr., 92, of Louisburg, passed away Monday morning, July 21, 2025 at WakeMed.

LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Carolyn Walker Long, 57, who died on Tuesday, July 15, will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. from the Gospel Unlimited Church of Christ Disciples in Castalia with Elder Shelton Wilkins officiating.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Democratic Party, in a formal statement, has strongly condemned House Bill 183, which changes the way Louisburg elects it mayor.
The local Democrats also called on the General Assembly to repeal the bill -- and urged the Franklin County Republican Party to question "outside interference" in local elections.

LOUISBURG -- The deadline for candidates to file for municipal offices ends Friday.
But, already, voters in Louisburg, Franklinton and Youngsville are assured of contested races -- even though some incumbents had not yet filed for re-election by press time.
The race for mayor in Louisburg will already test one tenet of the new election process -- apparently approved by clandestine legislative means.

In previous articles there have been mentions of the Louisburg Fire Department's formation, equipment, artifacts and the chiefs.
There was one article about the formation of the Louisburg Rescue Squad, and a bit of its history.
This article will reveal a little history of two of the squad's early, and important, pieces of equipment, both unique.
The ambulance and the equipment panel truck were obviously necessary apparatus for the operation of the squad.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton commissioners agreed to remove a handful of properties from its primary fire district -- a move that loosens some restrictions on construction and renovation.
By approving the consent agenda, the board removed 5, 7 and 9 S. Main Street, 101 E. Green Street, and 103 and 105 E. Mason Street from its primary fire district.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has put in utilities and laid a new road they hope expands Triangle North Franklin Business Park.
They have scheduled a ribbon cutting at the end of the month to celebrate the achievement.
"... This marks a significant step forward in the park's continued development," said Franklin County Economic Development Director Barbara Fiedor.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners took action to lower the speed limit on a state-maintained street.
The speed limit on N. Nassau Street will drop from 35 mph to 25 mph once the state adopts a concurring ordinance and new speed limit signs are erected.
"This was brought up a couple different times and we've got some citizens in that area that are concerned with people not observing the speed limit, and obviously it's a safety concern for them and their families," Mayor Fonzie Flowers said during the July 10 meeting, prior to the board's action.