Recent Articles

RALEIGH, NC -- Mattie Green Reddick passed away peacefully of natural causes at age 98 on March 26, 2025 at her residence at The Rosewood Health Center (The Cypress) in Raleigh, NC. She was born in Youngsville, NC to Jack Allen Green, Sr. and Helen Hart Green. Mattie grew up in Youngsville and later graduated from Wake Forest College where she met her future husband, Harold Reddick. Mattie and Harold were married over 62 years and had a son, Harold (Rick) Reddick, Jr.

PILOT -- Parks and recreation staff and Franklin officials cut the ribbon on the county's only dog park.
Back in May, commissioners agreed to move forward with an acre dog facility at Pilot Lions park in southern Franklin County, tasking staff with using up to $130,000 to accomplish the task.
Ground was broken last summer and the ribbon cutting and official opening was March 20.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Youngsville police are hoping that folks holding onto the "olden days" can help them finish curating the history of the police department in the present.
The town is in the midst of celebrating its sesquicentennial, and as part of reflecting about the town's 150-year history, Officer Drew Cox began documenting the department's history.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Fire Marshal has issued a ban on open burning in Franklin County until the statewide burn ban has been rescinded.
Because of the continued hazardous fire conditions and the continuing drought, Franklin County Fire Marshal Trey Evans has issued a burn ban under the authority granted by the Franklin County Code of Ordinances regulating open burning.
The burn ban prohibits all open burning within the unincorporated areas of Franklin County that are within 100 feet of a structure.

Franklin County native Felecia Massenburg was recently recognized by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for her 50 years of sorority membership. The Induction to 'Golden Soror' celebration was held in Richmond, Va. where nearly 4,000 members of the sorority gathered for the 72nd Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of the sorority.

The last few days around Franklin County have been very sad and frustrating for many folks.
A little boy, about 7 years old, apparently fell into the Tar River while playing with friends, according to authorities, and that began a frantic multi-day search, first for the little fellow and then for the recovery of his body.
I can't even begin to imagine the angst his parents and family members are feeling as this tragedy unfolds. It is beyond belief.

If you see Bernie Meader at the Franklinton Community Garden, in dusty jeans or maybe overalls, planting 'maters, you'd probably think he could trace his county roots back for several generations.
But, when you hear him say "gahden" and "you all" instead of garden and 'y'all,' you know he ain't from around here.
But, he and his wife have found a home and a purpose in Franklinton and the greater community -- making sure that folks who need fresh fruits and veggies get them.

Joe Newberry, who is perhaps best known as a clawhammer banjo player but is also a powerful guitarist, singer and songwriter, will perform his music and share stories of some of his favorite North Carolina musicians during a performance at 7 p.m. tonight, March 27, at the Norris Theater on the Louisburg College campus.
Newberry was a frequent guest on "A Prairie Home Companion: with Garrison Keillor and was a featured singer on the Transatlantic Sessions UK tour in 2016. He is planning to share stories about Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs and Charlie Poole during his local appearance.

A kitchen is widely recognized as the most popular room in a home. Though it might be true that the hustle and bustle of home life runs through the kitchen, many a memory is made in the living room as well.
Living rooms tend to be go-to spaces for family movie nights, game watches with fellow fans and places to gather during holiday celebrations. That's a lot of quality time spent in the living room, and those moments can be more enjoyable if the space is as comfortable as possible.

Backyards have undergone quite a transformation over the last decade-plus. The days when patios and decks were all a backyard living space had to offer are largely a thing of the past, as homeowners have realized just how valuable it can be to commit to a stunning backyard.
The real estate experts at Zillow estimate that homes with backyard features such as outdoor televisions, outdoor showers and outdoor kitchens command 3.1 percent more than expected upon reaching the market. If 3.1 percent doesn't sound like a lot, it actually equates to nearly $11,000 on a typical home.

During the past few weeks, the Cooperative Extension Office has received many questions about moles and voles. How do you tell the difference? What do they eat? What can you do to control them? They have taken over my yard. These are the questions and comments that most people have. Well, let's take a look at what they are, the damage they cause, and how to control them.
Voles are small mammals, commonly called mice that live in field and shrub habitats.

Regardless of whether you live in an apartment, condominium or mobile home, some space is available for growing a few of your favorite vegetables. However, the area you choose to grow your garden must receive five hours or more of sunlight daily. As a general rule, leafy vegetables such as cabbage and mustard greens can tolerate more shade than root vegetables like radishes and beets. Vegetables that bear fruit such as peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers will need the most sun.
Townhouse dwellers will probably be limited to using containers or window boxes for vegetable growing.

LOUISBURG -- A rescue team pulled the body of a missing seven year old from the Tar River Tuesday afternoon -- concluding a more than week-long search that gripped Franklin County and beyond.
Sheriff Kevin White confirmed in a Facebook post that the body of Ronald Lamar Brodie Jr. was recovered from the river on Tuesday afternoon.

FRANKLINTON -- Joe Cutchins has shared his family's special connection to Jack Johnson and where the heavyweight boxing champion's life ended.
This Sunday, he'll be going to Galveston, sharing his story in the place where the Galveston Giant's life began.
He will be the featured speaker and entertainer at the Nia Cultural Center on March 30, celebrating the life and legacy of the famed boxer.
"I am so honored," said Cutchins, who was a toddler when Johnson crashed his car not far from his father's funeral home on June 10, 1946.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County didn't have to search far to find its newest assistant county manager, tabbing its former planning and inspections director to fill the post.
The county announced Scott Hammerbacher's elevation on Monday.
"I am looking forward to expanding my service to Franklin County as an assistant county manager," Hammerbacher said.

LMHS Athletic Director Erica Wammock, a National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Certified Master Athletic Administrator

Warrenton, NC -- Funeral services for Bennie "Fent" Francis, age 76, who died on Monday, March 24, 2025, will be held on Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at the St. Gideon Baptist Church in Hollister, NC with Pastor Hieley Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the B. Francis Family Cemetery.

Jamaica, NY -- Funeral services for Margaret A. Wilkins, age 78, of Jamaica, NY, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2 p.m. from the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Dr. James Walker Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Jones Chapel Church Cemetery.

Henderson, NC -- Funeral services for Alexandriana Tanisha Scott, age 40, who died on Saturday, March 22, 2025, will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 2 p.m. from the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Christopher Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Church Cemetery.

Seat Pleasant, MD -- Funeral services for Minnie Ruth Strickland Wiggins, age 78, of Seat Pleasant, MD, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, were held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 1 p.m. from the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg with Elder Harvey L. Rice officiating. Burial followed in the Nelson Chapel Church Cemetery.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Vivian Stroud O'Neal, 74, passed away on March 18, 2025 at her home in Youngsville, NC. She was born on Dec. 2, 1950 to the late Ralph Walter and Darlene Watkins Stroud. In addition to her parents, Vivian was predeceased by her sister, Sylvia Stroud Stanton.

KITTRELL, NC -- Dianne Wells Bowen (née Fabri) of Kittrell, NC, died in her home on March 4, 2025. Dianne was born on Aug. 10, 1952, in Lakewood, Ohio.

KITTRELL, NC -- Diane Elaine Pierson McCraney, 81, of Kittrell, NC passed away on March 11, 2025. Born in Delaware on September 30, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Dorothy Caruso Pierson and George Pierson Jr.