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LOUISBURG -- Prosecutors began presenting its case this week against a Louisburg man they allege shot and killed an apparent romantic rival.
Attorneys selected a jury and held opening arguments on Monday in the case against Gavin Miller -- whom authorities allege shot and killed Hamilton Woods Jr. during the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2023.

BUNN -- Town commissioners refused to change zoning next to Bunn Elementary School that would have cleared the way for a meat processing facility.
But, they and a Town Hall full of residents -- and plenty more who watched a stream of the meeting outside -- urged Abdell Othman to look for a more suitable location for the business when the board met Monday.
The Bunn businessman petitioned town leaders to rezone 4.84 acres at 685 Bunn Elementary School Road from low density residential to Light Industrial.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners said they want to revisit a change in their emergency radio system that could impact coverage and future costs.
During the board's Aug. 19 meeting, commissioners approved more than $786,000 in change orders and other costs associated with improvements to the system in and around Bunn.

BUNN -- Town commissioners refused to allow bars, taverns and nightclubs in their downtown commercial district -- effectively ending a businesswoman's plans to establish some nightlife in the heart of town.
Deana Leggett was one of the previous owners of Bobo's Bourbon and Beer on the outskirts downtown, but wanted to strike out on her own in a better building, she said.

LOUISBURG -- The town of Youngsville and its taxpayers have done a lot of heavy lifting in efforts to expedite a bypass around downtown.
Last week, they asked Franklin County leaders for some help in expediting the Youngsville bypass.
During the board's Sept. 3 meeting, Youngsville Town Manager Nathan Page gave the board a crash course in the work they've done, so far.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council moved quickly through an agenda of very routine business items Tuesday night, finishing in just over 30 minutes and without holding a closed-door executive session which has become almost routine during recent meetings.
Among the business items, the council approved the sale of a half-acre tract on Davis Street that was declared surplus property at the Aug. 13 meeting.
The successful bid for the roughly half acre lot on Davis Street was $50,000 by Olde Dominion Builders of Raleigh.

County resident Stephany Davis

State shenanigans?
Far be it for me, a mere newspaper guy, to question the actions of the leadership of our great state when they are obviously operating in our best interests -- well, except when they are not!
It was one thing for our state to get into the gambling business with its state lottery -- and to create laws that make it illegal for anyone to compete with them for that very lucrative business.

What is often an unfortunate belief about government, at any level, is this:
•People assume governments have already made up their minds about an issue, so they don't show up;
• People don't show up to hold their governments accountable, so leaders are too often left to their own devices, meaning they may take actions without the benefit of public input, meaning that, ultimately, they had to make up their own minds about an issue -- fulfilling the prophecy of an apathetic constituency.

Dear editor:
There is justifiably a major focus on education for grades K-12 across the county and the state, but if we truly want our children to be successful we must consider when the most crucial period of development occurs. The skills needed to be successful in school and life begin even prior to birth.
The first five years of life are critical to lifelong success. The brain develops at the highest rate during the first few years of life.

Dear editor:
Now that the election season has arrived, people need a way to discern the credible candidates from the noncredible candidates. This simple test can be used.
Does the candidate believe or act as though he believes:

DURHAM, NC--Funeral services for Bertha "Bert" Payne, age 63, of Durham, NC, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Friday, September 6, 2024, will be held 12 p.m., Saturday, September 14, from the Ambassadors For Christ Ministry in Louisburg with Pastor Jamaal Brodie officiating.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Herman Lee Foster Jr., age 74, who died on Saturday, September 7, 2024, will be held 2 p.m., Friday, September 13, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC with Rev. Tony Foster, officiating.

HENDERSON, NC--James Tyrone Perry, 57, of Henderson, NC died September 5, 2024 at Maria Parham Health. He was born in Franklin County to Esther Wortham Perry and the late James Andrew Perry.

WHITE LEVEL, NC--Rita Marks Bailey, 53, of White Level, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at her home.

Franklinton High School's boys soccer team has been solid in the early part of the season as the Red Rams are 5-2-2 overall, with both losses coming to non-league opponent East Wake. Franklinton opened its Big East Conference schedule Monday with a 3-1 victory over Roanoke Rapids. Here are some photos of FHS' recent win at perennial powerhouse Wilson Fike High School, courtesy of Carl Copeland.

BUNN -- 'Rebuilding' is about the only word that comes to mind when describing the 2024 girls tennis squad at Bunn High School.
The Ladycats have enjoyed some recent success on the Class 2-A level in the Big East Conference, including a classification championship.
But Bunn has been hit hard by graduation, leaving Coach Dale Murphy with an inexperienced group that is still learning the basic nuances of the sport.
Bunn has yet to win a match as the Ladycats are 0-6 overall in the always-strong Big East Conference, which features the likes of powerhouses such as the Rocky Mount Gryphons.

SPRING HOPE -- Just like over sports, girls golf features a 'scrimmage' time in the season before getting ready for the more important, stats-countng events later on.
Such is the case in the Big East Conference, where the league's top linksters are taking part in a trio of 'preseason' events that won't count toward the final standings.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina League North Division First Half Champion, Carolina Mudcats, have announced that tickets for their 2024 North Division Championship series are on sale now.
The team's home games are today and Saturday (if necessary), with game times scheduled for 6:30 p.m. for both events.
The Mudcats will take on the Fredericksburg Nationals in the opening round, with a spot in the league championship series at stake.

The Tar River Center for History and Culture has announced its lineup of events for 2024-2025.
This year's programs start at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 in the Norris Theatre with Sam Jones, who has written "Whole Hog BBQ: The Gospel of Carolina Barbecue."
He will recount the history of the Skylight Inn, which opened in 1947, and share step-by-step instructions for cooking a whole hog at home -- from constructing a pit with concrete blocks to instructions for building a burn barrel -- along with two dozen classic family recipes.

Muscadine grapes are well adapted to the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of NC, where temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees F.
Muscadines unlike vinifera (bunch) grapes have a high degree of tolerance to pests and diseases. The fruit is very popular to make wine, pies and jellies due to its distinct sweet and fruity aroma.
Muscadine Grapes, (Vitis rotundifolia) are often referred to as scuppernongs and are native to the Southeastern United States.

BUNN -- The former director of a Bunn child care facility is slated to appear in court in October to face charges of child abuse.
Bunn Police Officer Phyllis Johnson arrested Claudia Vaughan on August 28, alleging that she injured a child.
According to the arrest warrant, the 41-year-old is alleged to have grabbed and pulled the child, then wrapped her arms and legs around the child.
Vaughan is then alleged to have pushed the child to the floor.