Recent Articles

LOUISBURG -- The case against a man accused of shooting his neighbors was continued until next month.
Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested Todd R. Rogers on April 6, 2022 -- a day after authorities allege he shot Sharon Gourley, Jason Gourley and Jacob Gourley during an apparent neighbor dispute.
The wife, husband and son sustained gunshots to the face, arms and chest, but their injuries were not life threatening.

RALEIGH -- Black infants are dying at triple the rate of white infants, a 2023 State Child Fatality Task Force Report has revealed.
The 2023 Infant and Child Mortality Data from the report shows non-Hispanic Black and American Indian children have higher mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
In 2023, the disparity worsened, with black infants dying at rates three times higher than white infants.

LOUISBURG -- Terrell Lane Middle School made it a three-peat when the Tornados secured the MAC-10 wrestling crown at Franklinton High.
The Tornadoes were able to defend their title, holding off runner up Cedar Creek.
Bunn Middle and Ravenscroft tied for third place in the nine-school tournament.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg Magnet High School wrestlers wrapped up the 2024-25 campaign with conference and state honors.
Coach Albert Long was named the Northern Lakes 2A-3A Coach of the Year.
Team members and accomplishments in the 2024-2025 wrestling season for the girls team included Caitlyn Jordan, LeNessa Lee, and Leyla Dale.

Above, senior twins Brandon Nolasco-Rayo, who finished third in the 120-pound weight class, and Braulio Nolasco-Rayo, who finished fifth in the 126-pound weight class, achieved the "Legacy" goal and their names will be listed on the wrestling banner for the 2024-25 season. They are joined by Coach Albert Long, right, and LaTeshia Long.

These Louisburg Magnet High School wrestlers hit the Elite Wrestling Milestone and earned more than 100 wins for their career. Left to right are Braulio Nolasco-Rayo, who hit the mark on December 7, Stephen Lamm, who earned the distinction on Jan. 17, and Brandon Nolasco-Rayo, who hit the mark on Dec. 7.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council moved quickly Tuesday evening to rectify two pending personnel problems and to rezone a 25.5 acre tract to potentially allow for a 94-home development.
The council hired Epsom resident Russell Fuller as its new fire chief, filling a position that has been vacant since late last year.
Fuller, a veteran fireman with the Cary Fire Department, begins his duties immediately. He has been a professional fire fighter for 26 years.

Loyal subscriber Joyce Newell

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Peggy Lou Moore, 90, died March 5, 2025 at her home in Franklinton, NC.

Louisburg, NC -- Graveside services for George Thomas Holden, who died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m. from the Haywood Baptist Church, Louisburg, NC.

Henderson, NC -- Funeral services for Alice Walker Harris, who died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, were held on Tuesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. from the Clearview Church, Henderson, NC. Pastor Abidan Shah, PHD, officiating.

Warrenton, NC -- Graveside services for William Richardson, who died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, were held on Tuesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. from the St. Jones Family Cemetery, Warrenton, NC.

HENDERSON, NC -- Jerry Wayne Ayscue Sr., 67, of Henderson, died Sunday, March 9, 2025. Jerry was born on June 9, 1957 to the late Charles Hamilton and Ava Stevenson Ayscue.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Mary "Sneak" Hayes, age 60, who died on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, were held Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at Haywood Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Anthony Alston officiating.

KITTRELL, NC -- Samuel Coatney Cannady, 88, of Kittrell, passed away Monday afternoon, March 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Fremont, NC -- Julian Boyd Nelms, Sr., 71, of Fremont, passed away to his Heavenly reward on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by his family. Julian was born in Nash County to the late Clemon and Ella Ruth Nelms on October 15, 1953. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Clemon Nelms.

BUNN -- Bunn's legal counsel said its staff and chief correctly tore up a civil traffic citation for a motorist last fall.
Those in the community allege the citation was revoked because of Randall White's ties to Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.
But, town attorney Brian Pridgen said the circumstances, a review by then Police Chief Joe Goodrow and consultation with the State Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission informed the town's decision to withdraw the Nov. 14 citation.

At the request of businesses and residents along Dogwood Road, Louisburg police put up temporary barriers, above and below, to keep people from parking along the narrow, two-lane road. The State DMV office, above, appears to be the main driver of traffic and parking needs on the area. Interim Louisburg Police Chief Travis Lincoln said folks complained that cars lined along the road made navigating the road and intersection difficult. The barriers were slated to come down Friday, replaced by no-parking signs.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's Economic Development Committee wants the town to increase its staff to meet the challenges it faces.
By a unanimous vote Monday, the EDC recommended to the town council that it add both a grant writer and an economic development coordinator to the town's staff -- or perhaps combine those duties into one position.
The recommendation comes as the town is about to begin work on its 2025-26 fiscal year budget which will begin on July 1.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police are investigating allegations of an assault that involved a gun.
The incident involved juveniles, authorities said.
It was reported to police on March 2 that a 15-year-old pointed a gun at a nine-year-old.
The incident is alleged to have happened at Franklin Court apartments and was reported to authorities at about 6:30 p.m.

Newly installed Bunn Police Chief Justin Hastings began serving the town in February, but he took his ceremonial oath of office during the Bunn Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, reciting the oath from Mayor Marsha Strawbridge. Hastings takes over for Joe Goodrow, who will serve in an administrative capacity.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Services Advisory Board welcomed new members at its most recent meeting.
But, it was an older problem that grabbed the board's attention.
During his Feb. 24 report to the board, Interim Animal Services Director Jerry Jones noted that 43 cats and 11 dogs had to be euthanized in January -- the most recent data available.

The town of Louisburg recently received a $1,000 donation from the Southside Community Association with the request that the money be used for recreation. Making the presentation was Johnny Clifton (left), president of the association and receiving the check was Mayor Christopher Neal.

LOUISBURG -- It would take Pamela Creech more than 190 years to pay back the money she stole from her mother.
Those were the terms of a plea agreement that Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart signed off on Feb. 25 when Creech entered an Alford plea -- not admitting guilt, but admitting there was enough evidence to convict.
According to prosecutors and court records, Creech used $70,000 of her mother's money for herself.

On Saturday, March 15, "Shadows of the 60s" will be performing at the Louisburg College JPAC. These performers pay tribute to the legacy of Motown's super groups in a salute to the stars of Motown such as the Supremes, the Four Tops and Temptations. Shadows of the 60s features top industry musicians and singers dressed in exquisitely designed costumes and dazzling choreography.