Franklin County leaders said this week that they welcome the news of a new Walmart fulfillment center off of Exit 160 on I-85 but are still awaiting more information on what the development will mean.

The Franklin County High School Cheerleading Squad (pictured in last year's Lavonia Christmas Parade) will be one of the FCHS teams and organizations set to participate next week in a Homecoming Parade in Royston.

A screenshot from a Walmart promotional video shows the inside of the company’s next-generation fulfillment centers that combine the work of employees, robotics and automated shipping technology to move packages to customers. Walmart announced last week that a new next-generation fulfillment center will be built in Franklin County and employ 1,000 workers. (Source walmart.com)

Lake Hartwell is already well below full pool due to the drought (as can be seen at Poplar Springs Boat Ramp), but when rain raises the lake level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week the lake will be kept at 656 feet due to leaks in a dike in Clemson, S.C.

Due to the recent fluctuations in the level of water in the city’s tank, the Carnesville City Council decided to once again close the splash pad until further notice.

The Franklin County Board of Education increased its property tax millage rate, while Franklin County Commissioners rolled theirs back.

FCHS students received their YONDR pouches, which hold cell phones during the school day, during open house at the school. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant (left), Downtown Development Director Ashley Rose Umbehant (center) and City Manager Robert Ogburn (right) accepted the Outstanding Downtown Promotion Award during the Georgia Downtown Conference in Rome last week. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lavonia)

The Franklin Campus of Mountain Education Charter High School held a ribbon cutting and open house for its new location on the campus of Franklin County High School on Monday. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce assisted with the celebration. Those attending were (from left) Rachel Howington, Claudette Gillespie, Scott Rhinehart, Brooke Dove, Darren Sledge, Steve Bartlett, Lydia Bennett, Dr. Joe Cash, Melanie Burton-Brown, Benjamin Khodadadi, Dr. Andrew Fowler, Dr. Kaila Steele, Bruce Brown, Dr. Kellie

A graph provided by the Franklin County Board of Education shows that 81 percent of the school system’s budget goes directly to the instruction of students.