FRONT PAGE

LOUISBURG -- A teenager that was reported missing was found safe on Friday afternoon.
A mother reported the 17-year-old girl missing from a home in the Justice community around 9:15 a.m., when she ran from the house after getting into an argument with her parents.
Franklin County Emergency Management Staff and other authorities had issued an area alert for the missing teen, who was listed as a potential threat to herself.

LOUISBURG -- Just before opening a public hearing on its budget, the county manager advised commissioners that he recommended bumping the county's allocation for public education -- particularly Vance-Granville Community College.
Farmers and other agricultural advocates hoped that the county could come up with more money to preserve farmland, too.
Education funding and money for farmland preservation were two of the hottest topics during a public hearing on Franklin County's budget Monday.

Youngsville's Luddy Park and surrounding area was packed last Saturday as folks turned out for Youngsville's Family Fun Day, hosted by the town's Parks and Recreation Department. The event featured games, live music, and food, craft and educational vendors. Above, fireworks capped of the night of fun as folks far and wide enjoyed the sight and sound display.

LOUISBURG -- A fairly tame Franklin County budget cycle gave way to some slight theatrics Monday night -- which included threat of a removal.
During the hearing on the 2026-27 budget, resident Rosemary Champion questioned about half a million dollars in sheriff's office spending that has been added to the current budget -- after it was approved in the spring of 2025.
"The sheriff's office had no vehicles listed, so there was nothing added into their [2025-26] budget for vehicles," Champion said.

LOUISBURG -- In a split vote, the Louisburg Planning Board has recommended a compromise.
It'll be up to the Louisburg Town Council to determine whether Trabar Homes can build the 68 townhomes they've proposed, the 30 that the planning board recommended, or any amount above the number of units allowed by zoning right on the 4.62-acre site.
As 306 Sandalwood Avenue is currently zoned, a developer could build about 25 townhomes on the site.

Mason Rizzo was ready for the Family Fun Day dunk booth