Recent Articles

Warrenton, NC -- Graveside services for William Richardson, who died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, were held on Tuesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. from the St. Jones Family Cemetery, Warrenton, NC.

HENDERSON, NC -- Jerry Wayne Ayscue Sr., 67, of Henderson, died Sunday, March 9, 2025. Jerry was born on June 9, 1957 to the late Charles Hamilton and Ava Stevenson Ayscue.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Mary "Sneak" Hayes, age 60, who died on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, were held Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at Haywood Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Anthony Alston officiating.

KITTRELL, NC -- Samuel Coatney Cannady, 88, of Kittrell, passed away Monday afternoon, March 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Fremont, NC -- Julian Boyd Nelms, Sr., 71, of Fremont, passed away to his Heavenly reward on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by his family. Julian was born in Nash County to the late Clemon and Ella Ruth Nelms on October 15, 1953. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Clemon Nelms.

BUNN -- Bunn's legal counsel said its staff and chief correctly tore up a civil traffic citation for a motorist last fall.
Those in the community allege the citation was revoked because of Randall White's ties to Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.
But, town attorney Brian Pridgen said the circumstances, a review by then Police Chief Joe Goodrow and consultation with the State Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission informed the town's decision to withdraw the Nov. 14 citation.

At the request of businesses and residents along Dogwood Road, Louisburg police put up temporary barriers, above and below, to keep people from parking along the narrow, two-lane road. The State DMV office, above, appears to be the main driver of traffic and parking needs on the area. Interim Louisburg Police Chief Travis Lincoln said folks complained that cars lined along the road made navigating the road and intersection difficult. The barriers were slated to come down Friday, replaced by no-parking signs.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg's Economic Development Committee wants the town to increase its staff to meet the challenges it faces.
By a unanimous vote Monday, the EDC recommended to the town council that it add both a grant writer and an economic development coordinator to the town's staff -- or perhaps combine those duties into one position.
The recommendation comes as the town is about to begin work on its 2025-26 fiscal year budget which will begin on July 1.

LOUISBURG -- Louisburg police are investigating allegations of an assault that involved a gun.
The incident involved juveniles, authorities said.
It was reported to police on March 2 that a 15-year-old pointed a gun at a nine-year-old.
The incident is alleged to have happened at Franklin Court apartments and was reported to authorities at about 6:30 p.m.

Newly installed Bunn Police Chief Justin Hastings began serving the town in February, but he took his ceremonial oath of office during the Bunn Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, reciting the oath from Mayor Marsha Strawbridge. Hastings takes over for Joe Goodrow, who will serve in an administrative capacity.

LOUISBURG -- The Franklin County Services Advisory Board welcomed new members at its most recent meeting.
But, it was an older problem that grabbed the board's attention.
During his Feb. 24 report to the board, Interim Animal Services Director Jerry Jones noted that 43 cats and 11 dogs had to be euthanized in January -- the most recent data available.

The town of Louisburg recently received a $1,000 donation from the Southside Community Association with the request that the money be used for recreation. Making the presentation was Johnny Clifton (left), president of the association and receiving the check was Mayor Christopher Neal.

LOUISBURG -- It would take Pamela Creech more than 190 years to pay back the money she stole from her mother.
Those were the terms of a plea agreement that Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart signed off on Feb. 25 when Creech entered an Alford plea -- not admitting guilt, but admitting there was enough evidence to convict.
According to prosecutors and court records, Creech used $70,000 of her mother's money for herself.

On Saturday, March 15, "Shadows of the 60s" will be performing at the Louisburg College JPAC. These performers pay tribute to the legacy of Motown's super groups in a salute to the stars of Motown such as the Supremes, the Four Tops and Temptations. Shadows of the 60s features top industry musicians and singers dressed in exquisitely designed costumes and dazzling choreography.

We made it through February -- and nearly a week of March.
If the March winds don't blow us away, we should be greeting springtime in a couple of weeks -- at least according to the calendar although Mother Nature sometimes doesn't pay our calendars much attention and moves at her own pace.
All that said, note that the time changes this weekend, so don't forget to "spring forward" Saturday night, giving up an hour of sleep in return for an extra hour of daylight each evening.

If you're familiar with this column, you've certainly experienced my exasperation with the litter problem we experience in Franklin County.
That's not to say that there isn't trash in other places, but this is home.
What's been most unfortunate, though, is that this space has most often been filled talking about the folks who litter -- not the ones who work tirelessly to pick it up.

LOUISBURG -- A provider whose goal is to remove barriers to health care cut the ribbon to an expanded facility.
Advance Community Health spent the afternoon of March 1 showing off their new Franklin County Careplex on Sandalwood Avenue.
Advance has been serving Franklin County since the spring of 2008, first in a temporary location in Franklinton before moving to their permanent spot on S. Church Street in Louisburg in June 2009.

BUNN -- In 10 months to a year, county EMS staff will have a new place to call home.
And, Bunn and surrounding communities will have an emergency response team closer to home.
Franklin County commissioners, management and first responders broke ground this week on a new EMS station that will house staff to serve Bunn and the surrounding community.

Joy Watkins was certainly in the Christmas spirit

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Vickie Dale Kearney, 79, of Franklinton, died February 28, 2025 at Duke University Medical Center.

Hollister, NC -- Funeral services for Arlene "Lene" Lynch Silver, age 79, who died on Sunday, March 2, 2025, will be held on Monday, March 10, at 1 p.m. at the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Warrenton with Pastor Willie Doris Silver officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Bethel Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC --Memorial services for Beatrice Young Williamson, age 92, who died on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1210 Mays Crossroads Road, Franklinton, NC 27525 with Brother Steve McAllister officiating.

David "Jerry" Gerald Williams, 91, passed away on Monday, March, 3, 2025. Jerry lived a long, full life. He was born on May 29, 1933 in Louisburg, NC to John and Linnie Williams. He married Peggy Gupton in 1953.