Recent Articles

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Joyce Loyd Mitchell, a devoted servant of Christ, was called home to be with her Savior on February 23, 2025. She lived a life full of love, faith, and devotion to her family and the Lord.

FRANKLINTON -- A "State of the District" presentation last week offered an overview -- from a figurative 50,000 feet -- of the complex operations of Franklin County Schools as well as highlights of some of the district's "product," talented Franklin County young people showing the skills they have learned.
The presentation, held at Franklinton High School, was hosted by district Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler, who in 60 minutes, offered a look at school programs, finances, plans for the future and, of course, presentations by various age groups of local students.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners approved the terms of an agreement that clears the way for them to build a judicial complex downtown.
Without it, officials confirmed, they'd have had to look at building their complex elsewhere -- including moving courthouse annex and the main courthouse operations out of downtown.
Franklin County hired Oakley Collier Architects in the spring of 2019 to assess its current inventory of county government buildings and determine its needs moving forward.

YOUNGSVILLE -- An Arizona-based company set its sights on Franklin County -- planning an expansion that will bring new jobs to the Youngsville area.
Quail Run Building Materials, Inc. -- a leading manufacturer of cold-formed steel building components -- will expand its operations with a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at 265 Northbrook Drive in Youngsville.
The development on the 3.33 acre site means a $1 million investment for the county and the creation of 5-10 full-time jobs.

FRANKLINTON -- When William Hunter joined the Franklinton Police Department in the spring of 1972, he was the first black officer with arresting powers in the unit.
He's most proud of the fact that he wasn't the only one, or the last.
"I felt very good about [being the first]," Hunter said, "and I encouraged some of the other black young men, especially the veterans, to join the police department ... and several of them did join the Franklinton Police Department and the Louisburg Police Department."

YOUNGSVILLE -- Town commissioners made swift work of a light agenda last week.
But, activity this week and next month piqued board members' interest.
Besides calling the Feb. 13 meeting to order and adjourning it, the board approved its consent agenda which, among other things:
• Ratified the board's Jan. 9 decision to increase Town Manager Nathan Page's salary to $140,000, annually -- a $7,500 increase over his current salary when factoring in an expected $3,300 cost-of-living increase for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Julia Holmes celebrated her 79th birthday this month

Louisburg Mayor Christopher Neal (left) congratulates the town's newest police officer, Samuel Marcum, shortly after swearing him in during a recent Town Council meeting. Shown here with the new officer are his wife, Heather Faircloth, daughter Anna Elizabeth and son Michael. The couple's youngest child, daughter Sophia, was "running laps" around the swearing in ceremony and evaded the photographer!

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners took steps to fill out their advisory board ranks, reaching enough members for quorums on a number of boards.
But, there are still holes to fill.
Going into Tuesday night's meeting, the Franklin County Animal Services Advisory Board had not been able to achieve a quorum since August, either for lack of interest or, most recently, a lack of members for the 10-person board.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklin County reported a sewage spill caused by grease and debris in the sewer line.
According to public utilities, about half of the 10,500 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled along an outfall adjacent to Cedar Creek got into the tributary on Feb. 13.
The discharge, the result of grease and debris in the sanitary sewer line, started at 10:15 a.m. and continued until 7:30 p.m.

LOUISBURG -- The family of a teen injured in a fatal wreck had to rely upon their own insurance for a semblance of a settlement and closure.
His family and a Superior Court judge, though, acknowledged that no amount of money would put Raymond Evans' life back to the way it was before the events of May 23, 2023 -- when he was severely injured and 12-year-old Madison Camptella was killed as passengers in a wreck while on an errand with Evans' mother.

Not sure when you might be reading this, so if something seems a bit dated, please blame Mother Nature.
As this was being written, the Raleigh TV stations were going nutzz predicting the weather -- and we decided to go to press a day early just in the rare instance when they might be correct.
But getting the paper prepared and printed is only part of the battle -- it still has to be delivered, first to the post offices then, by them, to the homes of subscribers.

On Monday night, Pilot resident Ricky Carroll shared a heart-wrenching story with Franklin County commissioners.
I'm certain he wished it wasn't a story he had to tell.
I can tell you for certain that it's a story I wasn't writing about.
And, quite frankly, I'm pretty sure it's a story that county commissioners wish they didn't have to hear.
But, they've heard it before.

Dear editor: Years ago, I was in the grocery store and witnessed a child having a fit, kicking and screaming for no apparent reason. The child evidently did not get whatever it wanted in the store. It was a full scale hissy-fit.
I have also observed many of our elected officials in Washington displaying the same behavior. It seems that this group is objecting to the Executive Branch of our federal government investigating waste and fraud in Washington. Go figure.

Louisburg, NC -- Memorial services for Camilla "Mickey" Edwards Pettiford, age 82, who died on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, were held Saturday, February 15, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Apostle Luby Coley officiating.

Rocky Mount, NC -- Memorial services for Janet Brandon Richardson, age 72, who died on Thursday, February 13, 2025, will be held Saturday, February 22, at 11 a.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Ed West officiating.

Hollister, NC -- Funeral services for Lillie Mae Rudd, age 91, who died on Friday, February 14, 2025, will be held Sunday, February 23, at 2 p.m. from the Hollister Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Hollister with Pastor Jason Sloan officiating. Burial will follow in the Hollister Chapel Church Cemetery.

Louisburg, NC -- Jonathan Alejo Mojica, 26, of Louisburg, died Wednesday morning, February 12, 2025 at his home.

Louisburg, NC -- Funeral services for Lena Wood Williams, age 62, who died on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, will be held Saturday, February 22, at 2 p.m. from the Gospel Unlimited Church of Christ Disciples, Inc. in Castalia with Rev. Martha Hodge officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Christopher William Ellis, age 51, of Louisburg, NC, died February 1, 2025. Chris was the son of the late William Earl Ellis and Jean Wester Ellis.

Raleigh, NC -- Joseph C Baptiste of Raleigh, NC passed away peacefully on 12 February 2025 at the VA hospital in Durham. Born on May 16th 1941 in Gloucester, MA, he was the son of Antoinette (Toni) and Joaquin Baptiste.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Town Council on Tuesday night, agreed to close West Johnson Street between Main and Church streets, clearing the way for the county's proposed Judicial Center.
The decision ended weeks of discussion and debate, much of it happening behind closed doors, and after a concerted, last-minute push by local lawyers who want to keep the courtrooms convenient to their offices.

Framed by a large tree growing on the grounds of the old downtown Louisburg Post Office, this photo depicts what is being called "Community Station" where much work has been undeway in recent days. The town is using funds from a variety of sources, both grants and local tax money, to make this project a reality. The goal, officials say, is a public, multi-purpose building of about 1,500 square feet that would be available for meetings, gatherings, classes and other activities.