Recent Articles

Dear editor: P.T. Barnum, America's original showman, charlatan, promoter and con man, achieved his first big success by putting Joice Heth on display.
Barnum purchased Heth in 1835 and exhibited her around the country, claiming she was 161 years old and had nursed and raised George Washington.
Americans flocked to see Heth, who would tell stories about "little George" and sing a hymn. When she died 7 months later, Barnum sold tickets to her autopsy.
After the doctor declared her claimed age a fraud, Barnum insisted the autopsy had been performed on a different person, and that Heth was on tour in Europe.

Dear editor: I am a stranger to common decency and I have never known guilt or shame.
The milk of human kindness flows nowhere through my veins.
I could be elected to public office only when callousness and ignorance prevail.
I would be your sociopathic ruler -- one who most cruelly reigns.

Dear editor: With both NC State and UNC Chapel Hill looking for a new men's basketball coach, you must ask yourself if these gentlemen were not in an impossible situation.
Well over fifty years ago, if a student athlete had the opportunity for a full four-year scholarship, or as they called it a "full ride," that was considered the pinnacle of success. Today, with the NIL funds and the transfer portal, it seems almost impossible for a coach and staff to build a program and retain players for four years.

The Oxford-Henderson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will sponsor a Community Health Fair on April 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Oxford Housing Authority on Hillside Drive, Oxford.
Several community partners will be featured at this event.
The Community Health Fair will also feature family fun and activities: bouncy house, Kid-N-Play Cardio and games, line dancing, prizes and giveaways, celebration of storytime and a DJ with live music.

Dear editor: I feel it appropriate to write this letter now during the Easter season. Mr. Strickland attacked the Resurrection and the New Testament (NT) in his letter "Why does evangelicalism produce so many counterfeits?" 09-17-2025.
His thesis in that letter is if only gullible "fundamentalists" would drop their irrational belief that the Bible was inerrant, he would not have contracted such a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

NO KINGS. The motives and the sayings may have varied greatly last Saturday -- but the sentiments were much the same. Americans were out in force nationwide, showing their support for the U.S. Constitution and disdain for the efforts of President Donald Trump which many see as an effort to undermine democracy and bring about a return of a King to the U.S.A. Noticeably different in this rally, the third of its type in Louisburg, was opposition to the brutal war in Iran with many fearing American ground troops will be sent into the fight.

NO KINGS. The motives and the sayings may have varied greatly last Saturday -- but the sentiments were much the same. Americans were out in force nationwide, showing their support for the U.S. Constitution and disdain for the efforts of President Donald Trump which many see as an effort to undermine democracy and bring about a return of a King to the U.S.A. Noticeably different in this rally, the third of its type in Louisburg, was opposition to the brutal war in Iran with many fearing American ground troops will be sent into the fight.

NO KINGS. The motives and the sayings may have varied greatly last Saturday -- but the sentiments were much the same. Americans were out in force nationwide, showing their support for the U.S. Constitution and disdain for the efforts of President Donald Trump which many see as an effort to undermine democracy and bring about a return of a King to the U.S.A. Noticeably different in this rally, the third of its type in Louisburg, was opposition to the brutal war in Iran with many fearing American ground troops will be sent into the fight.

CHECKING THE HAUL. Above, Megan Hall helps her daughter, Nova, check her haul following the Easter Egg Hunt in Franklinton last Saturday.

HOPPING GOOD TIME. Jason Graham helps his daughter Angelise secure the bag while hunting for Easter eggs during Youngsville's event last Saturday

HOPPING GOOD TIME. Christen Johnson takes a picture of Daila while Doug Johnson keeps a watchful eye on the youngster in front of an Easter backdrop in Franklinton.

A host of children are off to the races, grabbing eggs at the Bunn High School football field last Sunday as part of Bunn's Easter festivities.

Youngsville Parks and Recreation intern Macey Greathouse tosses out goodies to be plucked by youngsters during the town's Easter festivities last Saturday at Faith Youngsville church.

On virtually any other week, it could have easily and justifiably been our lead story on Page 1.
That it ended up on Page 5 of last week's edition is testament to the secrecy, deception and apparent fear of exposure by the Franklin County Commissioners and, amazingly, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Both should know better -- but it is what it is and they will have to deal with the fallout -- and there will be fallout.

Oxford, NC -- Floyd Allen Beal, 58, died March 23, 2026 at his home in Oxford, NC.

Hollister, NC -- William McClellom Ellington, Jr., 80, of Hollister, died March 24, 2026. Bill was born on October 18, 1945 to the late William McClellom Ellington Sr. and Ruby Dement Ellington. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Kaye Gupton Ellington.

Hollister, NC -- Funeral services for Mary A. Evans age 86, who died on Thursday, March 26, 2026, will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. from the Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Warrenton, NC, with Rev. Willie Silver officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Bethel Baptist Church cemetery.

Burlington, NC -- Funeral services for Devonte M. Jordan, age 30, who died on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, will be held Saturday, April 4, at 3 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel, Louisburg, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Ruthie A. Perry, age 79, who died on Monday, March 16, 2026, were held Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m. from the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church, Louisburg, NC. Burial followed in the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Louisburg.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Florence A. Alston, age 64, who died on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, were held on Tuesday, March 31, at 1 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC. Burial followed in the Kearney-Coley Family cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Mattie L. Harris Woods age 92, who died on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 11 a.m. from the Rocky Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC. Burial will follow in the Rocky Chapel Missionary Baptist Church cemetery.

Bronx, NY -- Viewing services for Zuralee Wright age 87, who died on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, will be held on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home chapel in Louisburg, NC. Burial will follow in the Perry's Missionary Baptist Church cemetery.

The Villages, FL -- David Allan Fuller, 84, peacefully passed away at UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital, October 31st, 2025 with his loving wife, Sandy, by his side.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners took action to ensure that any law enforcement agreement between Lake Royale and the sheriff's office gets public scrutiny.
In January, commissioners authorized the county manager to finalize and execute a memorandum of understanding whereby Lake Royale would pay money to support Franklin County Sheriff's Office law enforcement operations within the Lake.