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CASTALIA -- It's been 15 years since family and friends saw Roger Wade Ayscue, or Kojack, as he was better known to those in the northeastern edges of Franklin County and into Castalia.
And, while it wasn't completely dark last Friday, those who still hold Kojack dear held a candlelight vigil -- shining a light on his case and hoping that their continued efforts spark someone to come forward with information on his whereabouts.

LOUISBURG -- The Cooperative Extension's annual Regional Horse Farm Tour does include a catered lunch.
But, those who've attended or hosted say they've feasted the most away from the lunch table.
"When we went on the tour last year, we didn't know what to expect," said Keith May, who, along with his wife, Laura, will have their property -- The Farm -- as one of the stops on this year's tour.

BUNN -- The town's planning board figures they've found a balance in determining how development will occur in its Village Mixed Use zoning district.
In June, the planning board presented commissioners with additional standards to the district designed to pair commercial and residential development.
Town commissioners, though, had heartburn about two issues: Development density and street setbacks.
Because of that, they asked the planning board members and staff to reconsider their proposal.

FRANKLINTON -- Commissioners agreed to rezone nearly 40 acres from a medium density residential area to a more innovative Planned Development zone.
The change would allow for a mix of single family homes and townhomes.
Commissioners said the beneficial aspect of a Planned Development zoning district is that it gives officials and nearby residents more input on the project design when developers submit a master development plan -- which is expected to occur at the board's August meeting.

Matthew Hockaday

Sometimes in this business, we write about events -- often the launching of a new venture or project -- and wonder quietly to ourselves how history will judge this action.
Recently, while cleaning up some old news files on our server, I stumbled across a story that I wrote back in April, 2007 -- and one of the folks quoted in that story issued a challenge.

At most of the jobs I've had, I always felt a bit guilty about grabbing an extra company pen, or maybe even toiletries.
For some folks, though, I guess they don't have the same switch.
Below, see Exhibit um ... well, this has to be Exhibit D, E or F by now.
According to published reports, a Texas woman stole about $109 million from a youth development program for children of military families.

Dear editor: As a close friend of Anna Meadows I was so touched and pleased to see your kind words about Anna who was a long-time reporter at The Franklin Times and a familiar face around Franklin County.
Yes, she often reached out to others less fortunate. Kamliah Perry is a prime example of that reach. Anna met Kamliah just as she graduated high school last year with the help of the McKinney-Vento program which enables homeless youth to shower, eat at school and receive guidance.

Dear editor: Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me thrice, you've made a complete fool of me.

Franklinton, NC-- Alice Frazier Burchette, age 84, died July 22, 2024 at her home in Franklinton.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Pressure. Expectation. Responsibility. Every minute of every that.
Those are some of the many intense intangibles that go with being a football coach or player on the collegiate level -- and they've been hallmarks of Ty Howle's tenure since he arrived at Penn State University as a freshman offensive lineman in 2009.
Other than brief stints as a graduate assistant at North Carolina State and an assistant at Western Illinois, Howle has been in Happy Valley ever since -- and he couldn't be happier.

BUNN -- Names may be familiar, but responsibilities will be much different this coming calendar year within the Bunn High School athletic program. That's because several coaches have switched positions and sports -- and that will give the Wildcats a whole new look in 2024.
Long-time assistant and former BHS multi-sport star Morgan LaRoque will take over as the head coach for the Ladycats' volleyball squad, with Casey Salter -- another ex-standout -- taking her place as assistant skipper.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- An area legend as a player, Ric Yarbrough has crossed state lines and is making at name for himself as a successful basketball coach in Virginia.
Earlier this month, Yarbrough, a Bunn High School graduate who went on to play at North Carolina Wesleyan, was named as the head boys hoops coach at Tunstall High School, which is located just outside of Danville, Va.

BUNN -- Tennis, football and even softball as an assistant next spring -- Dale Murphy has made quite a name for himself as a coach at Bunn High School.
But Murphy was a competitor on July 4 as he participated in the annual Red, White and Blue Golf Tournament at The River GC at Lake Royale.
And Murphy added to his lore by achieving the first hole-in-one of his career -- and on the challenging 11th hole at that.

ZEBULON -- The homestanding Carolina Mudcats completed a series sweep of the Lynchburg Hillcats on Sunday afternoon winning both ends of a suspended game doubleheader by scores of 4-3 and 3-1 in Minor League Baseball action at Five County Stadium.
GAME 1
After rain suspended the game last Saturday night, the contest was picked up in the top of the fourth inning with the score tied at 3-3.

Watermelon, one of summer's most iconic fruits, is low in calories and rich in water. It's also an excellent source of vitamins A and C and lycopene while being less acidic than citrus fruits and tomatoes--other well-known providers of lycopene and vitamin C.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Thomas Pandolfi will present the music of Frederick Chopin at Cherry Hill on Sunday, July 28. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a reception for attendees and the artist. Pandolfi will play etudes, ballads, polonaises, nocturnes, and other works by the beloved composer. Entitled "The Language of Infinity," the concert has been endowed in memory of Warrenton native Edwina Rooker, a friend of the former owner of Cherry Hill, Edgar Thorne, and a faithful supporter of the concert series.

LOUISBURG -- The innovative Dual Language/Spanish Immersion program that's being offered at Royal Elementary School for the first time in the coming school year is off to a good start, according to Schools Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler who gave the Board of Education an update during July's board meeting.
She explained that as of July 1, 24 first graders and 19 kindergarten youngsters are enrolled in the program.

LOUISBURG -- For Adam Fowler, charity starts at home.
So, for an organization that's made his son, Dakota, feel like family, it was appropriate that he figured out a way to give back.
Earlier this month, Adam Fowler used a business connection to donate $1,000 to the Miracle League of Franklin County -- putting another drop in their bucket towards efforts to expand their field and playground setup at Long Mill Elementary School.