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LOUISBURG -- Police arrested two men involved in a fight during a youth rec game -- including the operator of the Louisburg Lions Rec League.
A Franklin County sheriff's deputy was already providing security at the event at Louisburg Magnet High School, but, according to Broadcastify police scanner traffic, the county's 911 center started getting called just before 7 p.m. on Saturday about a large fight.
The officer on duty was unable to break up the matter, which, according to scanner traffic, involved as many as 25 people -- prompting Louisburg police to respond.

Above, Mandy Stanley, right, takes a photo of Dan the Animal Man has he shows off a boa constrictor to a bunch of excited kids who came by his booth set up during Bunn Fun Day on Saturday. An wildlife educator, animal behaviorist and motivational speaker, Dan and his wildlife are often the center of attention at schools and community events where he gets to spread his message.

WOOD -- Dr. Bobbie Richardson has spent a lifetime showing up for folks, said State Rep. Sarah Crawford.
On Sunday, they showed up for Richardson.
The longtime educator and public servant was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine -- one of the state's most prestigious organizations that recognizes an individual's exemplary service and contributions to North Carolina.

FRANKLINTON -- Town officials have outlawed data centers and tattoo parlors, or any new sweepstakes operations or vape and smoke shops.
They've essentially kicked out horses and their doody, too.
And, one commissioner said goodbye to the town's public works director.
During the board's Sept. 15 meeting, commissioners approved a text amendment that added four entities or establishments to the list of prohibited uses within the town.

YOUNGSVILLE -- A subdivision development expected to account for a third of the northern Youngsville bypass remains on schedule.
And, plans to improve the Youngsville Elementary School gym floor are moving a bit slower, but the pragmatism won't delay the project, town staff said during the board's Sept. 10 meeting.
In January 2025, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a development agreement that essentially promised developers of Rolling Meadows water allocation over the expected 10-year buildout of the project.

Ashley Wood at Bunn Fun Day

Fall has fallen.
Or, Fall fell.
However you wish to say it, autumn arrived on Tuesday of this week, although we'll still have plenty of warm days to enjoy before that next -- and usually dreaded -- season arrives.
Next up of course is Halloween and we're already seeing the first hints of decorations that likely will become more elaborate -- and maybe even scary -- before the ghosts and goblins arrive in just over a month.

September is a weird month.
You can go from sweating at a dinner in the meadow, to catching a warm breeze while having fun in Bunn to bucking up for lows in the 50s this weekend, just in time for the Youngsville Fall Festival & Car Show on Saturday.
But, if you're looking for a bigger sign of fall -- a sign bigger than fall festivals and a drop in temperature -- then look no further than street corners filled with campaign signs.

Dear editor: Louisburg has 17 Flock cameras positioned on the roads coming into and going out of town.
I think every resident should understand what these cameras do and have a say in how they are used.
The difference between Louisburg and the rest of Franklin County is hard to ignore. Louisburg has 17 cameras, while there are only eight spread across the rest of the county.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Charles F. Murray Sr., 87, of Louisburg, North Carolina, who died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, was held Monday, Sept. 21 at Duke Memorial Baptist Church.

Enfield, NC -- Funeral services for Cleopatra "Cleo" Cyrus Hewlin, age 99, who died on Saturday, September 19, 2026, will be held on Saturday, September 26, at 11 a.m. from the Bear Swamp Baptist Church in Littleton, NC, with Rev. Deral Hedgpeth presiding. Burial will follow in the Scott Family cemetery.

FRANKLINTON, NC -- Jean Onks, 90, died on September 18, 2026. will be on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at Pocomoke Cowboy Church with the Rev. Spencer Strickland officiating.

LOUISBURG, NC -- Funeral services for Marlene Leslie Lutz, 71, of Louisburg, who died on September 18, 2026 will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell.

BUNN, NC -- Funeral services for Trudy Frazier Sanders, 77, of Bunn, who died on September 15, 2026, was held Sept. 19 at the Sanders Family Cemetery in Spring Hope.

With heavy hearts, yet with the comfort and hope we have in Jesus Christ, we announce the passing of Vicki Preddy Gupton on Sunday, September 20, 2026. While our hearts are saddened by her earthly departure, we rejoice in knowing that Vicki is now at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Cherry Hill Concert Series welcomes husband and wife duo Jonathan Levin, pianist, and Angelique Alexander, mezzo-soprano, for an afternoon of music on Sept. 27.
The program brings together familiar favorites and lesser-known works, ranging from opera and Romantic art songs to music written during one of the darkest periods of modern history.

Bunn Police Chief Justin Hastings helps Mizza Alston navigate an obstacle course. Goggles were intended to teach folks how impairment can impact driving and the message starts early.

Lorenzo Stancil sang the National Anthem to begin Bunn Fun Day festivities on Saturday.

Above, a row of tractors set up in downtown reminded folks of the rural nature and charm that makes Bunn what it is.

State Rep. Matthew Winslow, left, and Sen. Lisa Barnes, right, presented Franklinton leaders with a ceremonial check during the board's Sept. 15 meeting. The funds, $400,000, were made available through the General Assembly and the town will use those funds for downtown infrastructure and other improvements. Pictured are, from left, Mayor Art Wright, Commissioners Latasha Wilder, John Allers, Tasha Hatten, Alvin Holden, Judy McArn and Town Manager Zach Steffey.

LOUISBURG -- Sheriff's deputies and Louisburg police combined to arrest two suspects in a drug sting.
Investigators arrested Tyre Shamar Davis, 27, and Deshawn Conyers, 32, after executing a search warrant at 113 Harris Street the morning of Sept. 17.
Davis and Conyers were both charged with possession with intent to manufacture and deliver drugs, opioids for Davis and cocaine for Conyers.
They were also both charged with maintaining a dwelling for the sale of a controlled substance.