Recent Articles

LOUISBURG - When last we left the Louisburg High School volleyball program, the Lady Warriors were just a match point away from advancing to the fourth round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs before falling at Ayden-Grifton in what was supposed to be a rebuilding (if there is such a thing at LHS) campaign.
The top hitters from that club have returned for another season, so expectations are high this fall at Louisburg -- though they usually are within the tradition-rich program.

LOUISBURG -- There's a new baseball coach at Louisburg High School -- but he is certainly a familiar face within the program.
Casey Bolton was named recently as the new diamond skipper for the Warriors. A long-time assistant, Bolton succeeds Juan Lopez, who stepped down after one season to accept a position in Wake County.

BUNN -- Bunn High School will have a yet-to-be-named new coach when the Wildcats kick off their boys soccer campaign on September 12.
Last year, the Wildcats posted a winning record under Coach Robert Petrone in the strong Big East Conference and were able to qualify for the Class 2-A State Playoffs.
Petrone stepped down in the off-season, though he will still serve as the BHS girls head coach in the spring.

ZEBULON - Jheremy Vargas had a go-ahead single in the sixth, Jace Avina followed with a three-run home run in that same sixth inning, Jeferson Quero went 3-for-3 while extending his hitting streak to nine straight and Jesus Chirinos hit a two-run home run as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 9-6 on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

LOUISBURG -- Quinderra Spellman's first season as the Louisburg College head football coach will begin on September 3 with a matchup against Central International College.
The game will be played at the Field of Dreams in Waverly, Virginia.

Castalia, NC-- Louis Wilson Gupton, 84 of Castalia died Sunday, August 7, 2022. He was born on July 30, 1938, to the late Ira Lee and Bettie Burnette Gupton. In addition to his parents, Wilson was predeceased by his wife, Rose Bobbitt Gupton, a son, Jack Gupton, and his brother, Donald Gupton.

Castalia, NC-- Rose Marie Bobbitt Gupton, 78 of Castalia died Thursday, August 4, 2022. She was born on October 10, 1943, to the late Haywood Dean and Ruby Inscoe Bobbitt. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Jack Gupton; and her siblings, Becky, Thad, Annie Grey, and Ruby.

Henderson, NC--Clyde Wright Pernell, 88 of Henderson died Saturday, August 6, 2022. He was born in Franklin County on May 6, 1934, to the late Bennie and Viola Pernell. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Marvin, Thomas, Roger, and J.P. Pernell.

Louisburg, NC-- Funeral services for Etheline "Phia" Williams Harris, age 64, who died on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, will be held 1 p.m., Sunday, August 14, 2022, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Douglas Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Baptist Church Cemetery.

ZEBULON, NC--Reuben Franklin Hart Sr., 84, of Zebulon, NC died Friday, August 5, 2022.

Louisburg, NC-- Funeral services for Alice "Sis" Williams Nicholson, age 73, who died on Saturday, August 6, 2022, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022 from the Greater Ransom Way of the Cross Temple in Henderson with Bishop Michael Alston officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Henderson, NC-- Funeral services for Helen Darlene Scott, age 64, who died on Friday, August 5, 2022 will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from the Popes Chapel United Church of Christ in Franklinton with Pastor Leroy Dukes officiating. Burial will follow in the Popes Chapel Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC-- Funeral services for Shirley Richardson Neal, age 59, who died on Friday, August 5, 2022, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022 from the Perry's Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg, with Pastor Randolph Alston officiating. Burial will follow in the Perry's Missionary Church Cemetery.

RALEIGH, NC -- Robert A. Henn, born February 13, 1924, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2022 in Raleigh, NC at age 98.

BUNN -- Andre Davis may be a newcomer to the coaching profession, but he has already gained a considerable amount of wisdom in a short period of time.
Consider this nugget from Davis during a break in Bunn's football practice session Monday morning.
"What better way for the young guys to learn what Bunn football is about than from us guys who have done it before?'' Davis asked.

LOUISBURG -- The newest, most dominant strain of COVID is working its way through congregate care and shared housing facilities in Franklin County.
But, unlike the initial onslaught of COVID-19, it's not led to a rash of fatalities.
According to the State Department of Health and Human Services, there are ongoing outbreaks at Franklin Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center [one staff member, two residents], Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center [10 staff members, 25 residents], Franklin Manor Assisted Living Center [one staff member, two residents] and the Franklin County jail [five inmates].

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a policy that county management expects will aid in the hiring process.
By unanimous decision, commissioners put in place the Hiring Incentive and Referral Incentive Policy.
The document, which went into effect immediately on Monday night, would provide an incentive of between $500 and $3,000 to new hires.

Local law enforcement agencies took part in National Night Out festivities in Louisburg and Bunn on Tuesday night. The annual is designed to build a stronger sense of community and open lines of communication between law enforcement and first responders and the communities they serve. Above, from left, Nadia and Paisley Strickland, along with Kyleigh and Shereen Cash check out some pens, pencils, stickers and other items set out by law enforcement agencies to help kids get ready for school.

LOUISBURG -- Town council members have agreed to move ahead with buying a former gas station property they hope can be developed into a key asset for the town.
Just what that asset will be, though, has yet to be determined.

FRANKLINTON -- For nearly three decades, one Franklinton High School graduate has left the southwestern Franklin County school with a scholarship in hand and a path in mind.
And, thanks to the Hugh I. Cash scholarship trust, established in 1992, many of them look back on a path made all the more smoother by Cash's generosity.
Cash, a U.S. Air Force and World War II veteran, established the scholarship in 1992. The first recipient was announced in 1993.

Andre Davis and D.J. Miles

LOUISBURG - Several Franklin County departments will move to new office space starting on Friday.
Franklin County's Planning and Inspections Department, Tax Department, and GIS Department will move from their 215 East Nash Street location to 127 Shannon Village -- the former Louisburg Senior Center -- in Louisburg.

First this week, a little background is in order -- but maybe we'll come back around to something relevant to today.
It was 1987 when I met the late Athlyn Luzier, a tiny fireball of a woman who had been researching the genealogy of the Cunard family for decades. It wasn't long until she "conned" me into meeting her in Belmont County, Ohio, where I grew up, to aid her search for Quaker cemeteries where she could nail down dates and other information.

During most Franklin County Board of Commissioners' meetings, elected officials and staff are often greeted by a familiar voice.
And, he's okay with that.
"... I'm sorry y'all have to keep putting up with me, but these are my concerns," said Louisburg resident Scott Strickland.
"And, if I didn't believe in my community, I wouldn't stand up here in front of you."

Dear editor:
I pen this brief condemnation of monopolies in general and CenturyLink in particular only after making sure my blood pressure is back to normal and my pen will avoid four-letter words -- regardless of their applicability.