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LOUISBURG -- Franklin County's legislative representatives showed up to Monday night's county commission meeting with a $17.2 million ceremonial check.
Franklin County and its communities will be able to use that money to address water woes, EMS facilities needs and court backlog, among other things, said State Sen. Lisa Barnes.

LOUISBURG -- The town council cleared the way for a major residential development, accepted the retirement resignation of one of the town's longest-serving officials, purchased land for a pocket park and handled an agenda of relatively routine business items during a lengthy council meeting Monday night.
The personnel action and the park land purchase came at the very end of the meeting after the council held a long, secret session to discuss both items.

FUN FOR ALL. Above, Ange Sisk with American Wildlife Refuge shows off an owl. The Raleigh-based group rehabs animals that have been injured and brought to them for healing. Bunn Fun Day returned to the town after a pandemic-induced hiatus cancelled the event for two years. Visitors were treated to fun, food, games and music during the event held in the heart of downtown Bunn.

LOUISBURG -- County commissioners approved a special use request to put a convenience center site just west of Youngsville.
Franklin County solid waste staff have proposed using the 4.72-acre site at 2275 Long Mill Road as a new place for residents to dump their trash and recycled material.

FRANKLINTON -- Town commissioners agreed to move forward with a management agreement to handle their vehicle fleet and maintenance.
During Tuesday night's meeting, Enterprise Fleet Management Senior Account Executive Nathan Collier presented commissioners with a proposal to better handle the town's fleet of about 20 vehicles.

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County commissioners committed to buying and improving a piece of property that management expects will solve some space and storage issues.
And, the 5-acre property on T. Kemp Road should also have some longer-term value, as well.

A page 1 story in the Sept. 15 edition of The Franklin Times incorrectly reported that six Franklin County Schools were designed as low performing in a recent evaluation by the state.
The correct number is three: Bunn Elementary, Bunn Middle and Franklinton Middle.

Carolyn Peters at the Louisburg Senior Center

You've got to admit, last weekend was just about picture perfect -- and filled with enough activities to keep everyone moving.
From having fun in Bunn to purchasing pork in Centerville -- with lots of things in between -- it was one of those weekends that almost makes up for the fact that summer is winding down and fall is on the horizon.

Twenty years ago, Brent Sellers said he was standing in Franklin County Superior Court facing gun charges when then Assistant District Attorney Annette Sellars took a chance on him -- helping him with probation, rather than a much lengthier prison sentence than he was already serving.
When he appeared before Franklin County commissioners during their Sept. 6 meeting, he said he would never forget that.

Dear editor: The Democrats and the media are outraged that Republican Governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott have transported illegals from their border states to New York, Chicago, and of all places, Martha's Vineyard.
In fact, the hypocritical liberals in Martha's Vineyard even have a sign welcoming immigrants, but in less than 24 hours they sent the approximately 50 illegals to a military base.

Hollister, NC--Funeral services for David Lee Richardson, age 66, who died on Friday, September 16, 2022, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, September 24, 2022 from the St. Gideon Baptist Church in Hollister with Pastor Hiely Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Richardson Family Cemetery.

BUNN -- The first three football victories of The Dennis Burton Era at Bunn can be easily attributed to taking care of business against overmatched opponents.
But the fourth one provided a much different scenario -- one that threw an early and surprising twist to the Big East Conference standings.
The Wildcats, considered to be the underdogs against long-time powerhouse Rocky Mount, shocked the Gryphons with two first-half touchdowns before holding on in the second half to stop RM by a 13-7 margin last Friday in the Big East opener for both clubs at the BHS Football Field.

FRANKLINTON -- Make it two in a row for the Franklinton Red Rams -- and the second victory couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
After striding into the win column one week earlier against Oxford Webb, the Red Rams continued their success last Friday with a 20-14 home decision over Roanoke Rapids in the Big East Conference football opener for both clubs.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Southern Nash's defense of its Big East Conference girls golf championship has gone off without a hitch this fall -- and the Ladybirds are well on their way to a repeat crown.
Southern Nash, coached by Scott Collie, has won every Big East team match to date -- including last Friday's triumph at Northgreen Golf Course in Nash County.

LOUISBURG -- For a much-improved Louisburg club seeking to make a climb in its building process, no test is higher in the Big East Conference than longstanding boys soccer powerhouse Southern Nash.
The Firebirds are the defending champions in the Big East and are carving up another successful campaign in league action and beyond under veteran head coach Carlos Barron.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Outcomes in five-set matches are destined to be one of the most important aspects of the Big East Conference volleyball race this season -- and the Nash Central Bulldogs have been strong at that task in the early portion of the 2022 league events.
Through six conference matches, Nash Central has gone to five sets twice -- and the Lady Bulldogs have been able to claim both contests.

ZEBULON - The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, have announced their 2023 regular-season schedule beginning on April 7 with the season opener in Fayetteville against the Woodpeckers.
The first home game of the 2023 schedule is set for April 11 against the Salem Red Sox at Five County Stadium.

LOUISBURG -- The Louisburg Warriors can't seem to catch a scheduling break in the early-portion of the 2022 high school football team.
LHS had a bye week to kick off the campaign, then its slated opener on August 26 didn't happen when the referees didn't show up for a road showdown at KIPP Pride.
The Warriors were finally able to get in a pair of games -- and secured convincing victories against overmatched opponents.

BRANCH BIRTHDAY. On Saturday, August 20, Gladys Lewis Branch celebrated her 104th birthday at Joyner Park in Louisburg, with her family and friends and over 200 guests.
Gladys was escorted in by her granddaughter, Natasha Branch of Chicago, Ill. Everyone enjoyed lots of food, fellowship, music and singing, praises, games and prizes.

Pattie Collins (at right) poses with one of her students, Bernice Richardson, who has been working really hard at mastering crocheting. This was Bernice's first projects on her own.

These are the "Franklinton Crocheting Ladies." They have crocheted 145 hats and 29 scarfs to be donated to local schools and neighboring orphanages. Pictured from left to right: Marie Magniccari, Lila Gray, Martha Hunter, Mary Burrell, Martha Rettew, Nannie Solomon, and Cynthia Williams. The crocheting class is taught by Jo Starling, not pictured.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Authorities arrested a man they allege led them on high-speed chase with a child inside the vehicle.
Joseph Wayne Griffiths, 56, was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, misdemeanor child abuse, reckless driving to endanger. He was also served with a Durham warrant on a charge of making a false report to a police station.

RALEIGH -- The State Supreme Court refused a temporary stay, meaning a superior court judge's decision barring the former clerk of court from holding the office remains in effect.
In a Sept. 15 ruling, Supreme Court Justice Phil J. Berger Jr. denied motions on behalf of Patricia Chastain to overthrow Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock's April decision to permanently disqualify Chastain from office.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Franklin County sheriff's deputies are looking for suspects in a reported armed robbery.
According to authorities, a woman reported she was returning to her Bounding Lane home just before 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 when she was confronted by three masked man, at least one of which was armed with a gun.

EIGHT KEARNEY SISTERS REUNITED. This family of sisters finally reunited in Franklinton for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic and other issues that kept them apart. They recently enjoyed a weekend of laughter, reminiscing, good food, sewing and a trip to the old homeplace, what they called, "the dirt road," which is the now paved Goswick Road.

HENDERSON -- For the 24th year, doctors and staff at Maria Parham Health have volunteered to provide free prostate screenings for men in the community.
In recognition of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, screenings will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.
No appointments are necessary.

The Franklin County Nickels for Know-How Referendum will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Franklin County Extension Center, 103 S. Bickett Boulevad, Louisburg.
The referendum is held to let users and producers of feed or fertilizer decide if they wish to continue the self-assessment program.