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LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners agreed to spend more than $4 million to buy two pieces of property -- the purpose for one remains a mystery and the other was still being debated.
On Monday, commissioners agreed to purchase the Walgreens building at Franklinton Square Shopping Center on U.S. 1 for $2.61 million.
And, they agreed to buy 127.88 acres along U.S. 401 -- north of Louisburg -- from Edwards and Foster Properties for $1.54 million.

NEW YEAR. The community of Centerville rang the new year in with style with the county's only New Year's Day Parade. Above, Annie, Cheryl and Chris Yoacham get a great view of the parade, which runs through the community's crossroads of N.C. 561/58.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners adopted a first-of-its-kind agreement that makes a 10-year, 1,000-plus homes subdivision more viable.
Beyond the tax revenue that such a development creates, it speeds up a portion of the Youngsville bypass -- a critical piece of infrastructure designed to alleviate significant traffic congestion in and around the town.
"This is a great opportunity for partnership," said County Commissioner Michael Schriver.

LOUISBURG -- The founding force behind the Miracle League of Franklin County has stepped down from her leadership post.
But, Donna Wade will continue to be a guiding force for the organization designed to provide recreational and other opportunities for the physically and mentally disabled.
She just won't be doing it from the executive director's chair -- a post she'd held since the Miracle League's founding in 2011.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's EMS director presented an improving picture of the department's staffing, equipment and outlook.
Emergency Medical Services Director Matt Masters also painted a picture of the department's continued needs in the future.
And, he addressed the ongoing dialogue of the county's emergency medical transportation policy -- a state-designated policy that determines how ambulances transport patients to area hospitals.

County Commission Chair David Bunn, right, recognizes previous Chair Harry Foy

The big holiday season of 2024 is behind us -- and I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday period.
Fortunately, it was quiet here in Franklin County -- although New Orleans and Las Vegas certainly can't say the same.
Sadly, at least 15 people died in New Orleans and the Las Vegas attack claimed one life, apparently that of the veteran who filled his pickup truck's bed with fireworks and gasoline and set it off while he was still in the cab, obviously not the smartest thing he'd ever done.

If anyone in this business tells you they don't have an ego, at least professionally, that's probably the first sign that they're lying to you.
I have one.
But, this column isn't about personal feelings because, there's another truth about being in this business -- if you don't have thick skin, you won't make it very long or very far.

Dear editor: The article in the December 19, 2024 edition of The Franklin Times regarding an off-stream reservoir study done for the town of Louisburg is spot-on!
Louisburg is taking the lead in becoming water independent and The Northeast Franklin Revitalization group backs them 100 percent.
As most residents of the county know, especially our political leaders, we have been active supporters of advancing the quality of life in this county since our existence.

Dear editor: I am a high school English teacher waging what sometimes feels like a lonely war against teachers' use of Artificial Intelligence.
Many teachers in public schools use AI to create lesson plans, generate tests and quizzes, provide feedback on student work, write communication to students and families, and complete a variety of other tasks.
Usually, teachers who use AI do not disclose that they have used AI.

LOUISBURG, NC-- Carolyn Fuller Champion, 80, of Louisburg, died Saturday afternoon, January 4, 2025.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Christopher Lee Hurd, 65, died December 31, 2024 at his home in Franklinton, NC. Christopher was born on March 14, 1959 to Dean Stewart and Sandra Lee Rodgers Hurd in Trumbull County, Ohio.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for David Lee Anderson, age 72, who died on Friday, January 3, 2025, will be held on Thursday, January 9, at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Baptist Church, Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Jones Chapel Church Cemetery, Louisburg, NC.

Lucretia Pearce Buttram, age 84, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025. She was the only child of Bertis C. and Myrtie P. Pearce. Lucretia was the granddaughter of the late Omri and Florence P. Pearce, as well as the late Wiley R. and Effie May Pearce.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Norma Gail Broadwater Petenbrink, died January 5, 2025 at Louisburg Nursing Center in Louisburg, NC. Norma was born on March 7, 1933 to the late Raymond and Laura Stephen Broadwater.

Louisburg, NC-Funeral services for Ruby Lee Richardson, age 80, who died on Sunday, December 29, 2024, were held Sunday, January 5, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg, NC.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Sallie Dunston Taylor, 91, who died on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 were held Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. from the Ambassadors For Christ Ministries in Louisburg with Pastor Jamal Brodie officiating.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Timothy Earl Mabrey, 72, of Louisburg died unexpectedly Monday, December 30, 2024, at his home. He was born on July 13, 1952 to Willard and Noveline Mabrey in Wake County, North Carolina.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Memorial Services for William Lee Pettiford, age 70, who died Saturday, December 28, 2024, were held Monday, January 6, at Richardson Funeral Home at 5 p.m., officiated by Rev. Micah Mason of Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Evangelist Rebecca Pettiford Leonard of Ambassadors for Christ Ministries delivered the eulogy.

The Franklin Times' circulation director Sherry Bell recently retired after 19 years at the newspaper. Sherry, along with co-workers, enjoyed a luncheon and good conversation. As an added bonus, Sherry's husband, Melvin Bell, and their dog, Toby, joined the fun.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Governor's Volunteer Service Award. The awards program, created by the Office of the Governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers.
Each county selects up to 10 individuals, businesses, groups/teams and one paid director of volunteers to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities.

The Gamma Kappa Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc will be celebrating the 111th anniversary of the founding of the fraternity on Sunday, Jan. 12. The service will commence at the Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church 915 Eaton Ferry Road, Littleton, at 3 p.m. The Reverend Dr. Jeffrey B. Robinson senior pastor of the Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh will be the guest speaker. Additionally, Dr. Dudley Flood, past regional director, will give a charge to the congregation.

30TH YEAR AND THE BIGGEST COAT DRIVE YET! While it may look like John Faulkner (left) and Wayne Champion are having fun, they are actually unloading more donated coats as part of the annual Coats for Christmas drive to provide warmth in the cold winter months. Champion, who has been spearheading the drive for 30 years, said this year has turned out to be the largest drive yet -- and it runs until mid-January or so.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Animal Services Advisory Board closed out 2024 with a peek into 2025.
After a significant change in leadership, dealing with hiccups in maintaining an outreach coordinator, and troubles filling shelter staff ranks, Interim Animal Services Director Jerry Jones said that future looks promising.
But, there's still some fog to fight through.

FRANKLINTON -- Firefighters doused an apartment fire that displaced one family and damaged multiple units, but resulted in no injuries.
Franklinton fire crews and authorities responded to the Lofts at Sterling Mill on E. Green Street before 2 p.m. on Jan. 2 to find an upper-level apartment on fire.
With the assistance of firefighters from Mitchiner's, Kittrell and Youngsville, they were able to knock down the fire and clear the apartment of smoke.
A mother and three children, ages three to 13, were in the apartment when the stove caught fire, but no one was injured, said Franklinton Fire Chief Darrell Chalk.