Recent Articles

BUNN - Dennis Burton's first game as the Bunn High School football coach was certainly one to remember.
The Wildcats controlled the proceedings from start to finish en route to ushering in the Burton Era with an impressive 52-0 decision over East Chapel Hill last Friday night at the BHS Football Field.

LOUISBURG -- One long-time intangible within the tradition-rich Louisburg High School volleyball program is that the Lady Warriors always seem to find a way to effectively bounce back from a tough loss.
That trend appears to be continuing into the 2022 campaign, which started with a three-set loss on the road against an acclaimed Falls Lake Academy club out of Creedmoor.

Louisburg High School hitter Skylar Fuller nails a kill for the Lady Warriors during last Thursday evening's non-conference home volleyball event against Oxford Webb at the LHS Gymnasium.

BUNN -- One set is not supposed to make a high school volleyball match -- but it certainly appeared that way Monday when the Bunn Ladycats hosted Oxford Webb in BHS' initial home contest of the 2022 campaign.
The Ladycats controlled the proceedings in the opening set and appeared well on their way to a set victory -- only to see the visiting Lady Warriors put together a late rally in stu nning fashion.

Bunn High School's Kerry Thomas (right) attempts to tip the ball over the net during Tuesday's home match.

WENDELL -- A fourth-quarter surge wasn't enough for the Franklinton Red Rams to overcome an early deficit during last Friday's regular season football opener on the road against the Corinth Holders Pirates.
Instead, the Pirates delivered 33 unanswered points in the opening half and went on to spoil Mo Morris' first game as the Red Rams' head coach by a 39-20 margin on the CHHS campus in Johnston County.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The annual Ben Snelling Cancer Classic will be held October 9 at Owens Park in Louisburg.
A total of 100 percent of all profits will go to the Jimmy V Foundation.
There will be a high school team race in addition to two all-ages open races.

READY TO GO AT LHS. The Louisburg High School Warriors have been working hard in the preseason to prepare for this Friday's football opener on the road against KIPP Pride. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

ZEBULON -- Hedbert Perez hit a score-tying home run in the second, Alberis Ferrer hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh and both Eric Brown Jr. and Jesus Chirinos homered in the eighth as the host Carolina Mudcats won their season high sixth straight while finishing off a series sweep of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 6-2 on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

LOUISBURG, NC-- Alton Wade Shearin, 66, of Louisburg died Monday, August 22, 2022 at UNC Rex Healthcare. Born on July 29, 1956 to Shirley Griffin Shearin and the late Bobby Bruce Shearin. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his step-daughter, Beth Woolard.

Henderson, NC--Charles Edward Thomas, 44, of Henderson, died Friday, August 19, 2022. He was born on January 24, 1978, to Linda Ayscue Faucette and the late Edward Ned Thomas Jr.. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by a sister, Brandy Nicole Thomas.

Franklinton, NC-- James Thomas Holder Jr., 67, of Franklinton died 6:20 a.m., August 21, 2022. He was born on November 7, 1954, to the late James Sr. and Lettie Grace Milton Holder. In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by his sister, Bonnie H. Doss.

Franklinton, NC-- Christopher Alan Jones, 40, of Franklinton died August 19, 2022. He was born in Fredericksburg, VA on September 13, 1981, to Rosemarie Deemer Compton and the late Richard Alan Jones.

HENDERSON, NC--- Beulah Edens Phelps, 97, died Saturday evening, August 20, 2022.

Born, in Wake Forest, to John Raymond and Lelia Mae O'Neal, Lewis Raymond O'Neal Sr. never lived more than ten minutes from "home." His parents preceded him in death, as did John Edward (brother), Lois (sister), and Louise (oldest child). Married twice, his previous wives also preceded him in death. Lewis Sr is survived by Annie (sister), Shannan (daughter), Lewis Jr (son), and six grandchildren.

Janet Phipps Privette Eddins, 83, died Friday morning, August 19, 2022, at WakeMed after a brief illness.

You know the old saying that when life hands you lemons, you should make lemonade?
Sounds good -- in theory -- but in real life there are some complications and trade-offs.
Such has been the case in recent days when life handed me a whole bunch of lemons and the lemonade I managed to make was not only bitter but was actually somewhat frightening.

RALEIGH -- The State Court of Appeals issued an order last week that allows a former clerk of court to appear on November's ballot.
Her ability to actively serve in that capacity remains in question, though.
On April 5, Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock entered an order that permanently disqualified Patricia Burnette Chastain from holding the office.

NEW GUY IN TOWN. New Bunn High School football coach Dennis Burton oversees a drill during a recent Wildcats' practice. Burton and the Wildcats open their season at 7 p.m. Friday at home against East Chapel Hill. Franklinton High is on the road against Corinth Holders. Louisburg is off this week.

YOUNGSVILLE -- For a town with its fair number of hangout locations, the police department is hoping to create a new place for folks to gather -- its parking lot.
New town officers, whether they be veterans of the force or fresh out of the academy, are asked to address a concern or issue they see in town and present a community project to tackle it.

LOUISBURG -- Navigating a full agenda, the Louisburg Town Council, among other things, got an update on its town administrator search, agreed to appraise a rental property with an eye toward selling it and took an in-depth look at how it maintains its cemeteries.
They also agreed to host a work session to further discuss a proposed revamp to its code of ethics.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town staff and commissioners went into last week's meeting already expecting to continue discussions and hold off any actions on a Fleming Road property rezoning until next month.
One resident, though, didn't waste her chance to be heard.

Franklinton volleyball fan Rory Cobb