FRONT PAGE
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A Holly Springs man was still in the hospital a week after Wake County authorities charged him with killing a Youngsville man.
According to police and published reports, Pedro Adalberto Guity collided head-on with a car driven by Robert Ernesto Harris, 37, during the early morning hours of Dec. 13.
While most Franklin Countians were enjoying the Christmas holiday -- and trying to figure out how those new electronic gizmos that Santa delivered were supposed to work -- some people volunteered their time and talents to help others. For more than 30 years, the Murphy House Restaurant in Louisburg has been serving up a free Christmas dinner to those in need and this year was no exception. To do that requires many volunteers and, in this photo, Keisha Hartsfield, dishes up green beans and sliced turkey as part of a holiday meal.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A superior court judge and attorneys expect to sort out a calendar of cases in the New Year, including a lawsuit filed more than 1,300 days ago on behalf of deputy who died in a helicopter crash.
Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood issued a memorandum — which is routine at the beginning of a new year — expecting to hear updates, progress or other issues regarding cases that have been on the civil superior court calendar for more than four months.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Louisburg police arrested a town department head on domestic violence charges.
According to Louisburg Police Capt. Jason Abbott, Kate Cardwell alleges that Brent Cardwell assaulted her on Christmas Eve inside the couple’s Wilder Street home just before 6 p.m.
When officers Dennis Benson and Elliott Coker arrived, the police report states, Kate Cardwell had apparent bruising on her face and head.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Franklin County Manager Angela Harris presented commissioners last week with a strategic plan for the 21st century that was adopted in 1998.
She wants board members to use the information as a baseline for a two-day retreat scheduled for the first of the year.
“It would be good if you could review it and take it into consideration,” Harris told board members.
Wester’s proprietor, Tommy Wester, left, decided to pull a switcheroo this Christmas, giving to a woman who so often gives to others. He and his employees at Wester’s auto presented Joyce Green with a blanket embroidered with her initials. Green visits people, businesses and other places each year, dressed as an Easter bunny, Santa Claus and a Thanksgiving turkey, handing out candy and other goodies. The blanket had each of her incarnations embroidered on it, also.
Brayden Davis, 6, of Youngsville
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
Now that Santa Claus is safely back at the North Pole and resting his weary bones, perhaps it’s time to look and see what has been happening in North Carolina.
One notable development is that Gov. Bev Perdue has appointed a panel of experts to look for ways the state can save money.
GOOD MORNING: 2009 is definitely in the “short-rows” as this edition of the Times goes to press although weather wise the dawn of 2010 is apparently going to be much like that of Christmas – raw and wet.
That much I’m prepared to cope with. I just hope that’s all that Mother Nature has in store for us.
THE YEAR AHEAD: Now that 2009 is coming to an end, the big question is what’s in store for us in the coming year — us being the people in Franklin County?
It’s amazing how we lull ourselves to sleep.
Or deaden ourselves to life’s terrors.
It’s probably the way we cope.
However, within the past week, I’ve witnessed three things that continue to remind me that coping is fine.
Survival is crucial.
And forgetting is not an option.
OBITUARIES
FRANKLINTON- Ferebee Gray Preddy, 80, died Sunday, December 27, 2009 at her residence. She was born in Vance County daughter of the late Rena George Wilkerson and Hartwell Wilkerson and was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Preddy.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Ida Dean Nichols Cooper, 57, affectionately known as “Ma Cooper”, died Monday, December 20, 2009.
LOUISBURG – Grace Kennedy Perdue, 73, of Louisburg, passed away Wednesday evening surrounded by her loving family.
CASTALIA - Lauvenia Shearin Richardson, 68, died Friday, December 25, 2009. Funeral services will be today (Wednesday, December 30, 2009) at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with the Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating.
ENFIELD - William “Sug” Booth, 51, died Friday, December 25, 2009. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 31, at Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Rev. Tony Richardson officiating.
RALEIGH - Joseph Perry, Sr., 86, died Thursday, December 24, 2009. Funeral services will be today (Wednesday, Dec. 30) at 1 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Lewis family cemetery.
RALEIGH - Elizabeth Hamilton Dickerson Fuller died Thursday, December 24, 2009 at home.
RAEFORD - Mrs. Mary Speed Cameron of 904 Magnolia Street in Raeford, NC, died Wednesday, December 23, 2009 in her home at the age of 90.
ZEBULON - Elizabeth Carlyle Kearney Wilkins, 28, of 8627 Hwy. 39 South, died Saturday, December 26, 2009 at her home. Elizabeth was born April 2, 1981 in Wake County to Eric Wade Kearney and Dwanna Joy Carlyle Bullock.
SPORTS
TAKING CHARGE. Franklinton’s Chequan Wac (top) gains an advantage during a match at last Wednesday’s Raider Duals, which were held at the Southern Vance High School Gymnasium in Henderson. (Submitted photo by Ashley Steven Ayscue)
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
HENDERSON -- Franklinton closed out its pre-Christmas wrestling schedule with a matinee appearance Wednesday at the annual Raider Duals at Southern Vance High School.
The event was supposed to be held last Saturday, but was pushed back a few days because of the threat of inclement weather.
UPCOMING NCC CHALLENGE. Richard Dunston (with ball) and the Bunn Wildcats will resume their boys basketball schedule with a Northern Carolina Conference showdown on Jan. 5 at Warren County. (Times photo by Geoff Neville)
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- With holiday tournaments now completed -- or about to be completed -- Franklin County’s high school winter sports teams will now focusing on resuming their respective seasons in early January.
Bunn’s wrestling squad will be the first to get back into action, as the Wildcats will participate in the annual Knightdale Duals Tournament on Jan. 1-2 in Wake County.
A few thoughts as we get ready to head into a New Year -- and a new decade:
• No matter what I usually say about him, this I believe about Carey Johnson:
The man has a heart of a champion, and a true, determined will to succeed.
In the early stages of our College Football Bowl Picks Contest, Johnson fell behind 2-0. In this year’s format, we had 16 different games, so Johnson needed a quick counter to get back into the race for the beloved stapler, ‘Old Ironsides’.
LOUISBURG -- Louisburg High School, coached by Erica Wammock will begin its 2010 fast-pitch softball ledger on May 8 with a home game against the Webb Lady Warriors.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the LHS Softball Field.
LHS’ complete worksheet is as follows (home games are listed in CAPS):
Hunter Holliman (bottom) has been effective this season for the Franklinton High School wrestling squad, coached by first-year mentor Billy Jackson.
Franklinton High School’s Mecca Hicks and the rest of the Lady Rams will play again Jan. 5 at home against North Johnston.
LIFESTYLES
Brandy A. Rogers and Jeremy D. Rogers were married Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Poplar Spring Baptist Church. The officiating ministers for the 4 p.m. ceremony were Rev. Tom Eldridge and Dr. Steven Wade.
The bride is the daughter of Larry and Pam Alford of Bunn.
The groom’s parents are Jackie and Debbie Rogers of Youngsville.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse William Turner, Jr. of Semora announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Lyn Turner, to Jonathan Dale White, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Dale White of Louisburg. The wedding will take place on April 24, 2010 at 5 p.m. in Yanceyville.
COMMUNITY NEWS
During the week of Thanksgiving I traveled with my family to Fort Benning in Georgia. We went there to see my cousin, PFC Matthew “Matt” Medlin, graduate from basic training. He graduated from the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the 3rd Platoon. The graduation brochure we received shows the 47th Infantry Regiment was organized in the beginning on June 1, 1917 in Syracuse, New York. It also shows that in the U.S. Army it is one of the most decorated units as it has received many commendations and citations throughout its history. This includes eight Presidential Unit Citations.
The Bunn Garden Club awarded lifetime membership to three members who attained 20 plus years membership in the club. Barbara Tetterton, club president (center) presented the awards during their annual Christmas Luncheon to Louise White (left), Peggy Seymour (right) and Ann Jeffreys (not pictured). Following the presentation the members enjoyed a delicious lunch, gift exchange and wonderful fellowship.
Department of Aging social worker Tracey Mitchell, center, and Mattie Woodard, the department’s interim director, far left, receive a $150 donation to its home delivered meals program from members of Louisburg’s American Legion Post 228. From left to right are Cleven Dunn, James R. Jones, Steve Baker, Joyce Green McLeod, Carroll Holder and Larry Joyner.
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies are looking for suspects who assaulted and robbed a Wake Forest man.
According to a report by Dep. Doug Murphy, Brandon Henderson, 27, of Elf Court, told authorities he was leaving 109 Deer Run off Sid Eaves Road when he was approached by two people at about 2:35 a.m. on Monday.
Henderson told investigators that the suspects grabbed him and threw him to the ground.
Volunteer Gina Clark shows off her dinner-boxing skills at the annual Community Christmas Dinner at the Murphy House Restaurant in Louisburg held on Christmas Day. A group of volunteers joined forces with the restaurant to provide dinners to the needy, a tradition that has been going on for more than three decades.
The Franklin Sharp Shooters — the county’s first and only 4-H shooting sports club — was chartered this past April. The primary goal of 4-H shooting sports is youth development, with parental involvement. Eight of the clubs youngsters participated Oct. 10 in the 2009 N.C. 4-H Target Shooting Sports tournament, which took place at the Millstone 4-H camp located in Elerbe.
