The winners of the 2026 Best of Franklin voting are announced in a special section in this week’s paper. Readers of the Franklin County Citizen Leader voted for their favorites in 96 different categories. The special section includes the names of all the winners, all of those nominated for each award and thank you ads from the Best of Franklin.

The winners of the 2026 Best of Franklin voting are announced in a special section in this week’s paper. Readers of the Franklin County Citizen Leader voted for their favorites in 96 different categories. The special section includes the names of all the winners, all of those nominated for each award and thank you ads from the Best of Franklin.

Franklin’s Best announced

Thursday, July 16, 2026

The winners of the 2026 Best of Franklin voting are announced in a special section in this week’s paper. Readers of the Franklin County Citizen Leader voted for their favorites in 96 different categories.

Local

Attending a press conference to introduce the Lavonia Police Department’s new K9 Lobo are (from left) Lavonia City Council Member Jeremy Madden, Andrew Murphy, K9 handler Corporal Justin Parten, Richard Roberts, Police Chief Shane Edmisten and Mayor Courtney Umbehant. (Photos by Charlie Eavenson)

Attending a press conference to introduce the Lavonia Police Department’s new K9 Lobo are (from left) Lavonia City Council Member Jeremy Madden, Andrew Murphy, K9 handler Corporal Justin Parten, Richard Roberts, Police Chief Shane Edmisten and Mayor Courtney Umbehant. (Photos by Charlie Eavenson)

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Lavonia P.D. introduces K9 Lobo

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
From staff reports LAVONIA – The Lavonia Police Department introduced its newest team member, K-9...
The Franklin County Board of Education voted Thursday to buy 21.54 acres to add to the campus at FCHS.

The Franklin County Board of Education voted Thursday to buy 21.54 acres to add to the campus at FCHS.

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20 more acres added to FCHS campus

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer CARNESVILLE – The home of the Lions is growing again.
Franklin Community Players’ Youth Summer Theater camp will present Disney’s “Alice In Wonderland Jr.” this weekend at the Lavonia Cultural Center. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Franklin Community Players’ Youth Summer Theater camp will present Disney’s “Alice In Wonderland Jr.” this weekend at the Lavonia Cultural Center. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

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YST to present ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer LAVONIA – Don’t be late for these very important dates: July 17, 18...
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Op/Ed

In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday Saturday, we offer excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.

In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday Saturday, we offer excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.

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In Congress, 250 years ago

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday Saturday, we offer ex-cerpts from the Declaration of...
Of the three major symbols that represent our nation – the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell and the flag, the Liberty Bell is perhaps the least understood.

Of the three major symbols that represent our nation – the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell and the flag, the Liberty Bell is perhaps the least understood.

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Bell a major symbol of our liberty

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
By Charlie Eavenson Of the three major symbols that represent our nation – the bald eagle, the...
After months of complaint and work, the Franklin County Commissioners passed the county’s first animal control ordinance.

After months of complaint and work, the Franklin County Commissioners passed the county’s first animal control ordinance.

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Animal control begins at home

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
After months of complaint and work, the Franklin County Commissioners passed the county’s first...
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Sports

Members of the team are Karson Adams, Dank Crane, Rhett Davison, Gavin Harris, Hayden Harvey, C.J. McLendon, Gavin McGuire, Will Oliver, Teller Cabe, Zayden Stevenson, Grayson Stovall and Wyatt Veal. The team is managed by Cody Oliver, with coaches Galen Adams, Will Cabe and Derrick Harvey. (Photo courtesy of Franklin County Little League)

Members of the team are Karson Adams, Dank Crane, Rhett Davison, Gavin Harris, Hayden Harvey, C.J. McLendon, Gavin McGuire, Will Oliver, Teller Cabe, Zayden Stevenson, Grayson Stovall and Wyatt Veal. The team is managed by Cody Oliver, with coaches Galen Adams, Will Cabe and Derrick Harvey. (Photo courtesy of Franklin County Little League)

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Franklin Little League team wins district

News Staff
Thursday, July 9, 2026
The Franklin County Little League Little League All Start team won the District 7 championship last...
Members of the team are Deegan Anglin, Davis Dutton, Emmett Delozier, Bryce Finger, Nolan Foster, Hudson Griffin, Bennett Grizzle, Drew Hall, Matthew Kennedy, Grayson Cole, Logan Taylor and Chance Thornton. (Photo courtesy of Franklin County Little League)

Members of the team are Deegan Anglin, Davis Dutton, Emmett Delozier, Bryce Finger, Nolan Foster, Hudson Griffin, Bennett Grizzle, Drew Hall, Matthew Kennedy, Grayson Cole, Logan Taylor and Chance Thornton. (Photo courtesy of Franklin County Little League)

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Franklin 11U team to play at state

News Staff
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Franklin County Little League’s 11 and under baseball team, the Distict 7 champions, will begin...
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Regional

Taking part in a scrapbooking retreat on Lake Hartwell earlier this year were (front, from left) Helena Barfield, Emma Barfield, Nancy Rowland, Darlene Eades, Michelle Covel, (back) Kelly Barfield, Karen Turner, Tonya Bunch, Donna Ialungo, Debbie Tardella, Donna Goenner, Cheyney Morgan, Andrea Raphael, Victoria Richardson and Audrey Covel.

Taking part in a scrapbooking retreat on Lake Hartwell earlier this year were (front, from left) Helena Barfield, Emma Barfield, Nancy Rowland, Darlene Eades, Michelle Covel, (back) Kelly Barfield, Karen Turner, Tonya Bunch, Donna Ialungo, Debbie Tardella, Donna Goenner, Cheyney Morgan, Andrea Raphael, Victoria Richardson and Audrey Covel.

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Lake draws groups for weekends of quilting, scrapbooking, more

News Staff
Thursday, July 9, 2026
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer 
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Videos

Memorial Day 2020

On this Memorial Day, we remember those Franklin County citizens who have given all to protect our liberties. This video was shot at the American Legion Post in Lavonia, where crosses with the names of all fallen Franklin County soldiers are displayed on crosses. (Music by Marlie Scoggins)

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