Granville County Keeps South Branch Library Early Voting Site, Loses Oxford Public Works Site

The North Carolina State Board of Elections took away Granville County’s most popular early voting site in downtown Oxford on Thursday night, making it harder for people in the majority-Black city to vote early in the upcoming election.  “ So now my question is, if they've said

Beyond the School Supply List: 5 Things Franklin and Granville County Families Can Do NOW To Make This School Year Great

It’s officially back-to-school season, and families across Franklin and Granville Counties are busy gathering supplies, attending open houses and gearing up for fall sports. But there’s more to back-to-school than shopping and basking in Friday Night Lights. Allow me to present County Beacon’s

What Could North Carolina's Proposed Constitutional Amendments Mean for Franklin County Schools?

This November, North Carolina voters are being asked to decide on two constitutional amendments that could shape how public schools and local governments are funded in the future. Read more about the proposed amendments here. These proposals may sound simple, but they have become a hot topic among education advocates

What Proposed Changes To Bickett Boulevard Mean For You

Have you ever sat in traffic on Bickett Boulevard (U.S. 401/N.C. 39) and wondered why it takes so long to get across town? If you have, you’re not alone. Whether you're trying to get your children to school, make it to work on time

Granville County's Next Generation of Leaders: Four Students Who Spent Their Summer Serving Their Community

Instead of spending their summer with friends or at the beach, four Granville County high school students experienced what it's like to be a leader and completed 120 hours of hands-on public service as part of the 2026 Granville County Summer Civic Leadership Program. Zaniyah Crutcher, Tyler

Franklin County Honors Keith Smith for 13 Years of Economic Development Leadership

After more than a decade of helping guide Franklin County's economic future, Keith Smith was recognized by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for his 13 years of service on the Franklin County Economic Development Commission, including his leadership as chairman since 2023.  During the August 3 Board

Sweet & Savory Is The Place To Go In Louisburg

When I arrived at Sweet & Savory by Chef Tandra, I was just expecting to taste some dessert. But after walking into the shop, I quickly realized that I would be carrying away something much greater than a slice of lemon cheesecake.  After speaking with the chef and owner, Tandra

National Night Out Returns to Franklin and Granville Counties:

Every year, neighborhoods across the country come together for one evening with a simple goal: building stronger, safer communities. The message behind National Night Out is simple: strong relationships between neighbors and first responders help create stronger, safer communities. National Night Out, which began in 1984 and is celebrated in

What I Learned About Hunger and the People Feeding Franklin County

On Wednesday, July 29, I attended the Franklin County Food Pantries Meeting at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Annex in Louisburg.  The meeting was convened by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and brought together local pantry leaders, churches, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and

What Do Proposed Tax Cap Amendments Mean For Our Communities?

More specifically, what happens to our schools, public safety, and everyday services if our counties continue to grow but the money flow doesn't keep up? I found myself asking this question as I started reading about two proposed constitutional amendments that would cap the state income tax rate

Despite Residents' Concerns, Granville County Commissioners Consider Land Use Amendment Regulating Data Centers

On Monday, August 3, the Granville County Board of Commissioners will consider an amendment to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance to regulate data center development in the county.

Granville County Early Voting Plan Heads to State Board of Elections

Granville County’s ongoing dispute over early voting locations is now heading to the state. On August 20, the State Board of Elections will meet in Raleigh to consider and adopt early voting plans for North Carolina counties that did not pass a unanimous plan.  This comes after weeks of

Office of State Auditor Dave Boliek Refuses to Answer Questions about the Granville County Board of Elections

We reached out to the office of N.C. State Auditor Dave Boliek, who now runs the State Board of Elections, for comment on the recent Granville County Board of Elections meeting about early voting sites.  We asked two questions:  1. What does Auditor Boliek think about the process that

Proposed ban on amplified music outside NC polling places draws criticism

by Lynn Bonner, NC Newsline June 29, 2026 A proposal by the N.C. Board of Elections to ban amplified sound outside polling places is aimed at discouraging voting by Black and young voters, critics said Monday.  When the state board debated the proposed rule in April, members did not

Taking Root: Trinity Mack Turns Her Story of Survival Into a Mission of Resilience

Plenty of us here in Franklin County see the struggles around us. What’s harder to see are the solutions - especially ones that don’t exist yet. But Trinity Mack has a vision and a plan to build solutions for people struggling like she once did.  Trinity’s story starts

What’s Happening in August: Your Guide to Local Government Meetings in Franklin & Granville Counties

August in North Carolina signals a shift into a new season, with a school year beginning and local government meetings back in full swing. School boards, county commissioners, and town councils use this time to make key decisions on budgets, staffing, and services that affect everyday life. What is decided

Franklin County Tourism Development Authority Launches Marketing & Branding Initiative

The Franklin County Tourism Development Authority is starting a new effort to shape how Franklin County is seen by visitors, and they say the first step is hearing directly from the people who live here. In a press release issued Tuesday, the Tourism Development Authority announced it is launching a

Franklin County Updates Data Center Regulations

During their regular meeting on July 13, 2026, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to regulate data centers. The vote was unanimous among the five commissioners who were present. Commissioners Michael Schriver and Harry Foy were not present and did not vote

Granville County

Photos Show Former GOP Chair Texting Granville County Board of Elections Members During Public Meeting

Granville County Board of Elections Secretary Debby Butler stayed mostly quiet during Wednesday’s public hearing to revisit the county’s contentious early voting plan, which removes convenient sites in diverse neighborhoods in Oxford and Creedmoor and has prompted significant community backlash.  But after Democratic board members had been imploring

Data, Passion, Disgust — Granville’s Elections Board Remains Deadlocked on Early Voting Sites

In a tense meeting on July 15 the Granville County Board of Elections voted 2-2 to keep their earlier plan in place despite having additional money from the County Commissioners to open a fourth early voting site which would have allowed them to keep the popular South Branch Library site open.

Granville County's Proposed Early Voting Plan Makes Voting More Difficult – Especially for Black and Latino Voters

Proposed changes to early voting sites would nearly double the travel time for the average Granville County voter, based on 2024 election data. The board has the opportunity to change the plan today at 4 p.m.

YES IT WAS APPROVED BUT IT WASN'T EASY: Funding the Fourth Early Voting Site

For many people who are just reading the headlines, you will think that the vote was simple, quick, and done. But to be honest the vote was not simple at all.  What really happened was an hour of confusion, legal questioning, conflicting statements, and procedural debates.  Because at the end

Flock Cameras in Granville County: Safety Tool or Surveillance Concern? What We Know and What Comes Next

Community members in Granville County are asking questions about the cameras popping up along roadways. Some see them as a step in the right direction towards a safer community, while others see them as a step too far and a violation of privacy.  Now, with a town hall scheduled for

Budget

County Beacon Newsletter # 9: Budgets, Budgets Everywhere

Explore your local budget and let us know what questions you have and what you'd like to know more about!

NC Lawmakers finally agreed on a budget. Here’s what it means for you.

by Will Michaels, NCLocal June 30, 2026 Updated July 2 North Carolina lawmakers passed a state budget proposal Thursday after filing the spending plan Tuesday, one year to the day after it was due. A state law had kept the government running largely at 2025 spending levels in the budget’