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The annual NC State Fiction Contest is a free literary competition open to all North Carolina residents, including out-of-state and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities. It remains one of the largest free-to-enter fiction contests in the South.
This year's guest judge is Gabriel Bump, author of the award-winning novel Everywhere You Don't Belong.

The Tar River Center for History and Culture has announced its lineup of events for 2021-2022.
This year's programs start on Thursday, Sept. 30 with News & Observer political columnist Rob Christensen, who will be discussing his book "The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys."

WARRENTON - With so many starters returning, it was a given that the Louisburg Warriors would be strong on both sides of the ball during the 2021 high school football campaign.
But it was LHS' excellent special teams work that turned the tide in the Warriors' favor during last Friday's non-conference road matchup at long-time rival Warren County.

(L to R) Louisburg High School gridiron standouts Ornikey Pressey, Jeremiah Eddie, Shamir Sheppard and Tymar Kearney.

Louisburg High School defender Jaqueizw Williams makes a sure tackle for the Warriors during last Friday night's road football decision against long-time rival Warren County in Warrenton.

BUNN -- Bunn literally saved its best for last during last Friday's home gridiron matchup against Erwin Triton.
With the Hawks driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats came up with a fourth-down stand just short of the goal line with 21 seconds remaining to preserve an emotional 20-16 decision in non-conference action at the BHS Football Field.

BUNN -- Coming into Tuesday's Big East Conference volleyball showdown at Bunn, Nash Central had yet to lose a match -- and had dropped only two sets -- during its prolific start to the 2021 season.
But things were about to get interesting for the Lady Bulldogs beginning Tuesday as they were set to begin a 48-hour gauntlet featuring key Big East matches against long-time Franklin County powers Bunn and Louisburg.

Bunn's Keagan Osika rises for a kill for the Ladycats during Tuesday's home victory against Nash Central in Big East Conference volleyball action.

LOUISBURG -- Even with a short turnaround time, the Louisburg Warriors were still able to get the job done during Monday night's regular season home matchup against KIPP Pride.
Just 72 hours later, the Warriors had secured a road victory at Warren County in a tough, physical matchup.

FRANKLINTON -- Not since the days of Deran Coe has Franklinton gotten off to this strong of a start to the boys soccer season.
Through nine matches, the Red Rams are a perfect 9-0 to go with a solid 3-0 worksheet in the Big East Conference.
Franklinton has been a force in the Big East over the past four seasons, but the league split up before this year and long-time powerhouses Wilson Fike and Wilson Hunt have moved up.

LOUISBURG -- A northern Franklin County man accused of impersonating an officer is slated to appear in court in November.
Louisburg police arrested Robert Gary Separk on Sept. 8, a day after a woman alleges that Separk followed her for 10 minutes before pulling her over in town in the middle of the afternoon.

FRANKLINTON, NC--Richard Franklin "Rick" Shirey passed away on September 10, 2021. Rick was born on January 30, 1950 to the late James and Nellie Duke Shirey. In addition to his parents, Rick was predeceased by a sister, Cindy Price; and his brother, Terry Shirey.

Ruby Louise Rudd, aged 81, passed on from this life on Saturday, September 11, 2021, surrounded by family and friends.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Grady C. Inscoe, 88 of Louisburg passed away Sunday morning at his home. He was a son of the late Philip R. and Josephine Inscoe of Castalia.
Grady graduated from NC State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was also a registered Land Surveyor.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA--Thomas Kincaid Barnes, 83, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away peacefully August 22, 2021 (on his and Claudy Tucker Barnes' 56th anniversary). He is the son-in-law of the late John A. "Zula" Tucker and Hazel Johnson Tucker, of Louisburg, NC.

HENDERSON, NC -- John Scott Ayscue, 83, of Henderson, NC died Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Maria Parham Health.

LOUISBURG, NC-- Funeral services for Thurman Lee "Snoot" Johnson, age 74, who died on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, will be held on Sunday, September 19, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

LOUISBURG, NC-- Funeral services for Bessie Adell Nicholson, age 74, who died on Monday, September 13, 2021, will be held on Monday, September 20, at 2 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. David Rosby officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Funeral services for Thomas "Boot" Lynch, age 74, who died on Saturday, September 11, 2021, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 17, 2021 from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow in the Lynch Family Cemetery.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--Donald "Don" Bullock, 73, of Youngsville died Tuesday afternoon September 7, 2021 at Wake Med Center from injuries received in an automobile accident.

LOUISBURG -- Like a 300 game in bowling, Erica Wammock has proven to be the perfect fit for the Louisburg High School volleyball program since becoming the head coach in 2006.
The victories and conference and regional championships have piled up ever since, so Wammock was on the verge of another milestone heading into last Thursday's home match against Big East Conference opponent Rocky Mount.

BUNN -- Big East Conference losses have been few and far between for the Franklinton High School volleyball team since FHS joined the league five years ago.
But one of those rare occasions came last Thursday when the Lady Rams were shocked at upstart Nash Central.
So Franklinton traveled to Bunn on Tuesday in need of a bounceback victory, but it wasn't going to be easy against a solid Ladycats' club.

As COVID-19 cases spike upward -- 1,000 percent nationally since July 4 -- it is obvious that the local response to the pandemic is inadequate.
Despite the influx of millions of dollars of federal aid to Franklin County and local towns, much of that aid isn't reaching places where it can do the most good.
The photo accompanying this editorial is just one example. It was taken shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday morning and shows a long line of local residents awaiting COVID tests at the Impact Healthcare facility in Louisburg.