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Sumo wrestler Emily Johnson of Maria Parham Franklin

The Bunn Cert Lions Club held their fall festival Saturday. Characters from the movie Maleficent were Scarlett Eaton as Evie and Maleficent was Makenzie Eaton.

A Spooky doll with friends Jackson Brantley (left) and Carter Brantley.

Chloe Smith gets candy from Jessica Stapleton in Youngsville while mom, Heather Smith, looks on.

Lastacey Burwell (right) was keeping track of the Paw Patrol, from left, Hayden Lynch, Violet Peoples, Janelle Rodgers and Ayden Lynch in Bunn.

AJ Luciano, right, looks on as Xander Sanchez gets some candy, while Oden and Giselle Sanchez join them.

Queen Alien Lisa Esquivel Clark in Louisburg.

Little Mermaid Nora Fink was enjoying handing out candy with her parents Tyler and Katie Fink in Bunn.

STANHOPE -- Two teams headed in different directions -- at least as far as the 2023 campaign is concerned -- met last Friday night as Southern Nash hosted Franklinton in the regular season football finale for both clubs.
For Southern Nash, it was an opportunity to clinch the Big East Conference outright championship, along with getting prepared for a pending home game in the first round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs.

LOUISBURG -- A slight-but-effective offensive tweal has made Louisburg a much better football team over the second half of the season -- and the results have been evident on the scoreboard.
Midway through the campaign, Louisburg decided to move starting quarterback Donte' Strickland to running back whenever the Warriors utilize the wishbone offense -- which has been quite often lately.

BUNN -- Same teams, same time, same setting -- with an increased level of intensity.
And certainly a much closer match.
Such was the theme of Monday's contest between Roanoke Rapids and homestanding Bunn in the opening round of the Class 2-A State Playoffs at the BHS Football Field.

NASH COUNTY -- Two long-time Nash County gridiron rivals will be teaming up this December after lining up against each other for the past four years.
Southern Nash's Malaki Dobbins and Northern Nash's Randall King have earned prestigious spots on the East Team for the annual East-West All-Star Football Game, which will be held December 17 at 2 p.m. at historic Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Greensboro Grimsley High School.

JUSTICE -- Caleb Garcia of the Justice Community, a student in Kenny Buffaloe's Kyokushin Karate adult & youth classes at STUDIO 10 in Roanoke Rapids, was recently promoted in rank of 6th Kyu (Yellow Belt).
These ranks are officially recognized and endorsed by the International Kyokushin Karate Organization in Tokyo, Japan.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Listed are the first-round pairings for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's Class 2-A and Class 3-A State Football Playoffs:

LOUISBURG -- Amid calls for her job, Franklin County's animal services director asserted she's the right person to lead the department.
Lynn Bowling made those comments Monday night during the last quarterly meeting of the year for the Animal Services Advisory Board.
Reinstatement of that board has been one of the actions that county commissioners have taken to address shelter concerns voiced by animal welfare advocates going back to January 2019.

Maurice, played by Andrew Grissom, Townsperson played by Silas Huffman, Madam D"arque played by Leah Williams, Gaston played by Henry Hanson, Belle played by Aubrey (A.G.) Anderson and Adult ensemble.

Oxford, NC--David R. Waters died Sunday, October 29, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away as he wished, comfortably at home surrounded by loved ones. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, colleague and friend to many and will be truly missed.

Louisburg, NC--Charles Edward Wells, 92, of Louisburg, died October 28, 2023. He was born on July 30, 1931 to the late Amos and Minnie Faucette Wells. In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by his wife, Annie Coley Wells; a son, Charles Wells, Jr.; and a daughter, Brenda Ayscue.

Louisburg, NC--Gary Trent Leonard, 60, of Louisburg, NC died on October 27, 2023. He was born on March 17, 1963 to the late Bruce and Annie Lee Radford Leonard. In addition to his parents, Trent was predeceased by his brother, Calvin Todd Leonard.

HENDERSON, NC -- Harold Nichols Frazier, 87, of Henderson, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2023. Born in Franklin County, he was predeceased by his parents and son, Dr. Harold N. Frazier Jr.

Harold was a quintessential southern gentleman, eternally devoted to his wife Jane, family, church and community. He was a long-time member of The First Baptist Church of Henderson.

We are heartbroken to announce the death of Claude Everette Hicks, better known as Eddie. He passed away peacefully on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the age of 61.

Does your landscape have drainage problems? Are you limited to a confined space to have a garden or flower bed? If so, you can still be successful growing your plants by creating raised beds. These beds can be useful for growing vegetables, annuals, bulbous plants, herbaceous perennials, or whatever you desire.
A raised bed can be just what it sounds like: a mound of dirt. Generally, to prevent erosion a barrier is built. However, a barrier is not always needed. Barriers are often site dependent. If a barrier is desired there is no need to try to build a fort around the soil.

LOUISBURG -- Against the pleas of residents in a small cul-de-sac, the Franklin County Board of Adjustment agreed to let the owner of an excavating business continue storing heavy equipment in his backyard.
In August, residents on Tipton Court filed a complaint with the county's planning office, alleging that Chris Scott was using his backyard to store large equipment he uses for his grading and construction business.

MAN OF THE MOMENT. Above, Youngsville Elementary School Principal Frank Wiggins was surprised Oct. 20 when he was named the Franklin County School system's 2023-24 Principal of the Year. Central Office staff said the school has flourished under Wiggins' guidance. "I am overwhelmed and very humbled by this," Wiggins said. "I'm very proud of this school and very proud to be the principal of this school because every day I get up and I look forward to coming to work because I get to work with you, the students, and this wonderful staff."

LOUISBURG -- Franklin County management, as many as three commissioners and invited animal advocates were slated to meet face-to-face this week in an effort to hash out issues at the animal shelter.
A "full report" of that session is expected to be presented to the public at the Animal Services Advisory Board's Oct. 30 meeting, said county spokesperson James Hicks.