Recent Articles

Individuals diagnosed with celiac disease recognize they must avoid gluten. That's become easier over the last couple decades as manufacturers have recognized the growing number of consumers on gluten-free diets. However, the Celiac Disease Foundation® notes that various foods may contain gluten in hidden or unexpected ways. That underscores how important it is that individuals with celiac disease read labels prior to purchasing foods and beverages for the first time.

Most people have heard the adage that "laughter is the best medicine." There are many indications that laughter can be beneficial to the mind and body, and that the perks of laughter and humor are far-reaching.
Various professionals have studied the clinical benefits of laughter, including Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University in California.

LOUISBURG -- After a bye week and a postponed matchup to begin the season, Louisburg entered Week Three of the high school football campaign without having played a game -- a fact that concerned LHS veteran head coach Dontae Lassiter.
Lassiter's uneasiness was quickly alleviated last Thursday as Louisburg kicked off its schedule -- finally -- with an impressive 72-6 decision over the South Wake Home School Crusaders at the LHS Football Field.

Shamir Sheppard was a touchdown machine for the Louisburg Warriors during last Friday's grid contest.

Louisburg High School's (l to r) Jhamier Bland and Shamir Sheppard try to track down South Wake Home School's Corbin Tew during last Thurday's non-conference football meeting on the LHS campus.

RED OAK -- There's a new kid(s) looking to become a major player in the Big East Conference volleyball standings -- and it's a club nobody expected to be in the mix given its results over the past several seasons.
But the Northern Nash Lady Knights are making major strides within their program under first-year coach Emily Engelking -- and the progress is showing in the early portion of the 2022 campaign.

Bunn High School outside hitter Lenita Bryson (right) elevates over a pair of Northern Nash defenders for a kill during last Thursday's Big East Conference volleyball match in Red Oak.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- As wild as the 2021 Big East Conference volleyball season one, this year's version might become even crazier -- if the opening week of action is any indication of things to come.
Certainly, Week One of the Big East spike schedule brought plenty of surprises -- along with an upward shift from the Nash Central Lady Bulldogs.

OXFORD -- Make it three in a row to begin the season for the Bunn Wildcats under first-year head football coach Dennis Burton -- and each triumph has come in resounding fashion.
After two blowout wins at home to kick off the campaign, the Wildcats hit the road for the first time last Friday -- and came back from Oxford Webb with a lopsided 49-0 victory over the Warriors in non-conference gridiron action.

FRANKLINTON -- A bye week probably couldn't have come at a better time for the Franklinton High School football team.
Certainly, the Red Rams needed some time to regroup following their crushing Week Two loss to Northern Durham -- a game that saw Franklinton carry a substantial lead into the second half, only to see the Knights rally and eventually claim a victory in double overtime.

ZEBULON -- Jace Avina went 2-for-4 with a home run in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh, Eduarqui Fernandez hit a two-run home run in the fourth, Robert Moore scored twice and pitchers Logan Henderson and Fernando Olguin combined on a five-hit shutout as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Columbia Fireflies 6-0 in what was the final home game of the 2022 season at Five County Stadium.

Greg & Makayla McDonald

SPRING HOPE, NC--Lola Marie Goodwin Hodge, 94, of Spring Hope and formerly of Franklinton passed away on September 5, 2022. She was born on February 16, 1928, to the late Everette and Alice Godfrey Goodwin. In addition to her parents, Lola was predeceased by her siblings; Lucille Ray, John R. "Bud" Goodwin, Herbert Godwin, Frank Goodwin, Eddie Lee Goodwin, and Dollie Murray.

ZEBULON, NC--George Arthur Willette transitioned peacefully to his place in heaven on Sunday, 8/28/22 at 1 a.m. eastern time. He was born on 7/21/1932 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he worked in dairy farming before serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. Educated as a chemist, he worked for Bristol Meyers in Syracuse, New York, where he met Doris, his wife of fifty-eight years.

Louisburg, NC--Ellen Anne Ball Kearney, 74 of Louisburg died Tuesday, September 6, 2022. She was born on December 24, 1947, to the late James Allen and Hilda Aiken Ball. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Larry "Spike" Kearney.

Louisburg, NC--Carlin June Parker Barrett, 76 of Louisburg, formerly of Franklinton passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022. She was born on July 1, 1946, to the late Wallace and Wanda Morgan Parker. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, James Barrett and a son, Travis Lee Hayes.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Irene Williams, age 84, who died on Thursday, September 1, 2022, will be held 12 p.m., Thursday, September 8, from the Perry's Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Pastor Randolph Alston officiating. Burial will follow in the Williams Family Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Jamie Conyers, age 53, who died on Sunday, August 28, 2022, will be held 11 a.m., Monday, September 12, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County has paid Maria Parham $1 million as part of a lease extension and funding agreement signed last fall and brought to light during the county's budget process months later -- and the hospital is due to receive another million soon.
In late 2017, Franklin County entered into an up-to-10-year lease agreement with Maria Parham/Duke Lifepoint to operate comprehensive health care at the hospital just off Bickett Boulevard.

BUNN -- A three-car wreck just as school was letting out on the first day of school highlights the traffic congestion growing in and around Bunn, law enforcement and town officials said.
During his report to the Bunn Board of Commissioners on Monday night, Police Chief Steve Massey shared details of a three-vehicle wreck at the Bunn Elementary School Road entrance to Bunn High School.

CSX helped clear the path for utility work and other construction taking place as part of Youngsville's Main Street Improvement Project. A waterline was being put in under the railroad tracks, putting a drilling machine to work. Traffic has been shifted near the railroad as work continued through the middle of this week. Overall, the goal is to improve utility lines along the roadway, while also improving the roadway, making a safer and more efficient thoroughfare for vehicle, bike and pedestrian traffic.

LOUISBURG -- A few years ago, a close-knit group of residents started a mission -- revitalize northeastern Franklin County.
Recently, they saw that goal get closer to fruition as the first class of entrepreneurs receive certifications for completing a Vance-Ganville Community College business course designed to help them start or grow a business targeting northeastern Franklin County and surrounding communities.