FRONT PAGE
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Louisburg police arrested a former jail supervisor, charging him with stealing from an inmate.
Arthur Johnson Jr., 47, had worked with the sheriff’s office for four years as a jailer, and most recently as its supervising sergeant, until he resigned on May 2.
That was two days before Franklin County Sheriff’s Capt. William Mitchell notified police that an inmate alleged someone stole his food stamps card and made unauthorized purchases.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Youngsville and Franklin County officials are getting closer to a utility transfer that both sides see as a positive.
Last week, Youngsville commissioners agreed by unanimous decision to let Mayor Sam Hardwick move forward with discussions that would let the county buy the town’s utility system and its assets for $150,000.
PITCHING IN. Jermaine Pierce with Downeast Canopy secures a line while putting up the main tent at Franklinton High School’s football field, the site of this weekend’s Franklin County Relay for Life.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
A Franklinton company filed suit against a former employee who they allege perpetrated a nearly $180,000 fraud half a world away.
John A. Slade Jr. resigned his position as managing director of Novozymes’ Malaysian operation in January, but not before company officials allege he used his position to “perpetrate a massive fraud,” according to a Novozymes lawsuit.
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
BUNN — Town officials are re-advertising a sewer rehabilitation project after bids came in too high.
An engineer for the project said questions about the first bid process are not fueling the do-over.
Town officials tentatively awarded a contract to Missouri-based Insituform earlier this month.
But Mike Acquesta, an engineer with O’Brien and Gere, which is overseeing the project, advised the board to reconsider because the price tag was too high.
Stephen Fritz, as Link Larkin (baby blue jacket), helps Curtis Duncan, as Corny Collins, perform a flip during the Franklinton High School drama program’s performance of the musical Hairspray on Thursday night. They and the ensemble cast put on another show Friday night and will perform again tonight (Saturday) at 7 p.m. at the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $5.
Bunn resident Victor Dunston
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
GOOD MORNING: I see where the U.S. Postal Service is planning to reduce business hours in small post offices and offer stamps and packaging in grocery stores, etc., in order to stem the flow of red ink.
No word on how or if any of these cutbacks would affect post offices in Louisburg, Franklinton, Youngsville and/or Bunn, however.
Our advice is to grab your wallet with one hand and keep a firm grip on your shirt with the other.
It may not help much, but it should give you some sense of security.
It’s government budget time and from what we’re seeing on the state and local levels, the next four or five weeks promise to be controversial and brutal.
Oh, no! How can it be?
There has been an historic chicken coop discovered in downtown Cary. Yes, that Cary.
Cary, otherwise known as the Confinement Area for Relocated Yankees, has long been the model for Louisburg’s more controversial ordinances like zoning overlays and sign regulations.
OBITUARIES
FRANKLINTON – Dexter Terrell Perry, 26, died May 14, 2012 at Duke University Hospital. He was born in Durham on Aug. 6, 1985.
YOUNGSVILLE – Thomas Irving Sturdivant, 84, died May 14, 2012. He was born in Garner on Dec. 5, 1927 to Irving and Ora Thomas Sturdivant.
RALEIGH – Leslie A. Pearce, 92, died at home on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.
DURHAM - Funeral services for Dr. Donald Landa, 77, who died on Thursday, May 17, 2012 will be on Tuesday, May 22 at 3 p.m. at the Richardson Funeral Home chapel with Rev. John Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Davis Family cemetery.
LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Floyd E. Ruffin, 63, who died Thursday, May 17, 2012 will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23 at Mt. Hebron Holiness Church with Elder Raymond Bullock officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.
LOUISBURG – Mary Frances Woodlief Wilder, 78, passed away Friday morning. She was born in Wake County to the late Albert C. and Ethel Upchurch Woodlief. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joel Wilder.
LOUISBURG – M. Dodson Dickerson, 74, of Louisburg, passed away Wednesday afternoon.
SPORTS
COFIELD CLUBS ONE. Bunn’s Jayla Cofield makes contact at the plate for the Ladycats during Thursday afternoon’s loss at Bertie High School in the second round of the Class 2-A State Softball Playoffs.
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
WINDSOR -- Bunn encountered a change of pace during Thursday’s matchup at Bertie in the second round of the Class 2-A State Softball Playoffs.
And it proved to be an unpleasant experience for the Ladycats, who were kept off-balance the entire game by Bertie pitching ace Caroline White.
LOOKING IT OVER. Graham’s Justin Luck (right) takes a pitch as Bunn’s Nick Cole (left) prepares to catch the ball during Tuesday’s action in the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 2-A State Baseball Play
By:
GEOFF NEVILLE, Times Sportswriter
BUNN -- Little things don’t necessarily make a huge difference during a high-scoring baseball game.
But in a pitcher’s duel, they can mean everything.
Bunn’s 1-0 loss to Graham in Tuesday’s second round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs can be attributed to several small factors that added up to huge disappointment for the Wildcats.
Charles Fuller’s off-season to-do list added another task earlier this week with the resignation of volleyball coach Emily Regan.
Fuller, Franklinton High School’s principal, took a chance on Regan two years ago after she finished her spike career at Elon University.
BUNN -- DIAMOND CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN. The Bunn 9-Under Travel Baseball Team won the Super Saver Tournament on May 12 in Rocky Mount. With the victory, the club earned paid berths in the Summer and Winter World Series. In the above photo, players celebrate after receiving the title plaque.
ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats scored four runs in the last of the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough in a 5-4 setback to the Salem Red Sox in front of 1,076 on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium in a Class A Carolina League baseball matchup.
The Mudcats dropped to 20-18 while the Red Sox climbed to 21-15.
SOUTHERN PINES -- Will Lewis capped off his amazing freshman season at Bunn High School by taking part in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Class 2-A Boys State Golf Championships.
Following a disappointing 83 during Monday’s opening round, Lewis clawed back with a solid 79 as part of Tuesday’s final-round festivities of the 36-hole event at Longleaf Golf and Country Club.
Graham High’s Maurisio Mendoza makes a play to first base during the Red Devils’ 1-0 road victory at Bunn in Tuesday night’s second round of the Class 2-A State Baseball Playoffs.
BUNN -- Bunn High School will host two youth baseball camps this summer.
A Little League Camp for ages 6-10 is scheduled for June 27-29, while an All-Star Skills Camp for ages 11-13 is on target for July 11-13.
The cost of each camp is $55 per youngster, which includes T-shirt, snacks and a final-day lunch.
Both events will be held at the BHS Baseball Field.
GREENSBORO -- Southern Vance High School hoops skipper Mike Rotolo has finalized his roster for the 2012 North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Boys Basketball Game.
Rotolo will serve as the head coach for the East Team at the annual event, which is scheduled for July 16 at the Greensboro Coliseum.
A Bertie runner is safe at second base as Bunn’s Victoria Dunston retrieves the throw during Thursday afternoon’s Class 2-A State Playoff Softball Game in Windsor.
LIFESTYLES
I have had the opportunity these past few months to meet, get to know, and actually talk to the most unusual lovable parrot that you have ever seen.
I am referring to my new friend Zulu, a grey parrot who lives in Louisburg with her owner, Jane Middleton, a teacher at Louisburg College.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Spivey announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Larranda Spivey to David Trader Jr. The groom-elect is the son of Regina Chavis and David Trader Sr. The marriage will take place at Rocky Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on June 16, 2012 at 3 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend.
By:
Bill Lord, Franklin County Area Specialized Agent
Americans have a love affair with lawns.
Perhaps the ‘American Dream’ house also comes with the ‘American Dream’ lawn?
In recent years our love affair with our lawns has come into question in several parts of the United States.
SCHOOLS/EDUCATION
The Franklin Regional Medical Center volunteer auxiliary will be offering scholarships again this year with a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,000. The scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors, hospital volunteers and hospital employees who plan to pursue a career in the medical field. Future nurses, dental technicians, paramedics, etc. are all eligible to apply.
A number of staffing changes were approved by the Franklin County Board of Education during its Monday night meeting, including:
The Warrior Book Club from Louisburg High School went to Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh recently to meet two young adult authors. Ally Carter and Rachel Hawkins were there promoting their newest books and were available to sign them. The club received a grant from United Way and was able to purchase new books by the authors for the club members to read and get signed by the authors.
COMMUNITY NEWS
By:
CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
FRANKLINTON — Town commissioners came close to cutting funding for a volunteer group responsible for sprucing up the town and putting on community programs — including the town’s Fourth of July event.
As it is, visitors will be asked to pay $1 to attend this year’s Stand Up For America event to help offset the $8,000 price tag.
Franklin Regional Medical Center’s Mehgan McMillan faces the consequence of forgetting to bring in her donated peanut butter and tuna fish to the monthly United Way of Franklin County’s board meeting Tuesday. Directors McMillan and Chuck Murray and also Chairman Dale Byrns had to eat a sandwich with peanut butter and tuna because they forgot to bring in the goods.
Past Illustrious Potentate Bryan “Keith” Daniel of Granville County, native of Creedmoor, has been appointed to the 2012 North Carolina Desert Shrine Divan as the North Carolina Desert Outer Guard. He served two years (2010-2012) as Illustrious Potentate of Imran Shrine Temple No. 168 Prince Hall Affiliated-(PHA), Oasis of Henderson.
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies are investigating allegations that a registered sex offender violated his release by using social media.
According to a report by Det. S.E. Handel, she found a Facebook page belonging to Phillip Yentzer in April 2010.
A woman with deep roots in Franklin County was honored recently in South Carolina.
Lori Johnson Coon was named a recipient of the Amy K. Stubbs 2012 Woman of Achievement Award for arts and media at a recent luncheon in Greenville, S.C.
A native of Louisburg, Lori grew up working in all aspects of the publishing business at The Franklin Times, which, at the time, was owned by her family.
