Recent Articles

So, if you read my last column, you probably know how I feel about the public comments portion of the meeting, or at least how it should be conducted.
I figured I'd use the most recent meeting of the Louisburg Town Council as an example of what to do.
During that meeting, Town Administrator Sean Medlin informed the board that they had received a request to erect a four-way stop at the intersection of West Noble, East Noble and Spring streets.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) recently presented Wayne Champion, agent with Farm Bureau Insurance in Louisburg, the Life Insurance and Annuities 2022 NAIFA Quality Award, in recognition of commitment to exceptional client service, professional education, industry volunteerism, and adherence to the NAIFA code of ethics. The award represents eight years of excellence in serving clients and industry.

LOUISBURG -- Police made one arrest, but continue to look for a second suspect who stole items from two stores.
Officers arrested Michael Vincent Porter on Jan. 14, charging the 46-year-old with shoplifting and simple possession of illegal drugs.
Apparently, Porter and 31-year-old woman were identified as suspects in Jan. 14 thefts reported at Walmart and Tractor Supply -- within six minutes of each other.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police continue to investigate a shooting that critically injured a 74-year-old woman.
Mary Ann Hight, augthorities said, remains in the hospital, more than a week after she sustained a gunshot wound.
Louisburg police officers responded to the 100 block of Halifax Street just after 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 10 to find Hight suffering from a gunshot wound.

FRANKLINTON -- Both clubs emphatically got their respective points across last Friday when Rocky Mount traveled to Franklinton with first place at stake in the Big East Conference girls basketball standings.
Favored Rocky Mount showed why it is considered the team to beat in the Big East -- and a possible state championship contender -- with a 66-50 decision over the Lady Rams at the FHS Gymnasium.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- While it may not boast the elite-level star power of the Class 3-A portion of the Big East Conference, the race for the top spot in the league's Class 2-A quadrant is proving interesting in its own right.
The No. 1 finisher in each classification of the Big East receives an automatic playoff spot, so that highlights the importance of the four-team standings on the Class 2-A level.

FRANKLINTON -- The Big East Conference boys basketball schedule is only at its midpoint, but chances are pretty high that the Game of the Year in the always-competitive league has already been determined.
That event occurred last Friday night as long-time powerhouse Rocky Mount traveled to upstart Franklinton with pecking order at stake in the upper echelon of the Big East standings.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The automatic playoff berth out of the Big East Conference for the Class 2-A Girls Basketball State Playoffs is still up for grabs at the league's schedule midpoint, but Roanoke Rapids took a huge step toward gaining that position Tuesday with a clutch home victory over Nash Central.
With first place in the Big East portion of the league standings at stake, the Lady Jackets took a seven-point lead after one quarter and went on to defeat the Bulldogs by a 55-43 margin at the historic RRHS Gymnasium.

LOUISBURG -- With more than 20 years of experience in managing organizations in the private sector, local and federal government, Ryan Preble has been selected to fill the newly created Franklin County assistant county manager position.
He will begin serving on January 25.

Louisburg High School's Tymar Kearney

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Mary Jones Alston, age 75, who died on Thursday, January 12, 2023, will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 1 p.m. from the Gospel Unlimited Church of Christ in Castalia with Bishop Donnell Durham officiating. Burial will follow in the Gospel Unlimited Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Swannie Neal, age 61, who died on Friday, January 13, 2023, will be held 2 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2023 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Hosie Starr officiating.

Franklinton, NC--Funeral services for Roger Smith, age 68, who died on Thursday, January 12, 2023, will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Shirley Adams officiating. Burial will follow in the Mary Helen Jones Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Lola R. Silver, age 94, who died on Sunday, January 15, 2023, will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Tilman Lynch Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Wilbert Long, age 85, who died on Sunday, January 15, 2023, will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at from the Cedar Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Castalia with Pastor Sylvester White officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedar Rock Church Cemetery.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Rebecca "Becky" Myers Watson, 81, of Franklinton, died Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2023.

GREENSBORO, NC--William Shelton "Bill" Boone, 80, of Greensboro, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends Friday evening, January 13, 2023.

Sarah Elizabeth Patton, 94 passed away at her home on Friday, January 13, 2023. She was born on May 12, 1928 to Will and Annie Ayscue. Sarah was a long time member of Bunn Chapel Church.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Fletcher William "Junior" Crawley, age 85, who died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Douglas Harris officiating.

PINE RIDGE -- Mildred Sykes Williams, 94, died on January 10, 2023 at her home in Franklin County's Pine Ridge community, surrounded by family. She was born September 29, 1928, to Amelia and Arie Sykes in Nash County near Spring Hope.

LOUISBURG -- Youngsville got another ally as it tries to speed up construction of the Youngsville bypass.
Back in September, town staff revealed how support for a 350-acre subdivision could help facilitate the project as developers have pledged to build a portion of the bypass when development there warrants.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's mayor and a long-time community servant were presented with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for their community and volunteer service.
Isaac Jenkins, CEO and founder of Citizens for Community Action and Breaking the Chains Outreach Ministries and Lent C. Carr, National President and CEO of the National Congressional Voting Caucus for Human Rights presented the honor to Mayor Christopher Neal and resident Johnnie C. Clifton Sr. during the board's Jan. 9 meeting.

The primary pond at Owens Park in central Franklin County has been a popular gathering place the last few weeks after state staff stocked the pond. Above, a content fisherman enjoys the day.

LOUISBURG -- Authorities are looking for suspects in a shooting that critically injured a 74-year-old woman.
Louisburg police officers responded to the 100 block of Halifax Street just after 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday to find Mary Ann Hight suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was listed in critical condition at press time.