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Royston Mayor Keith Turman welcomed interim city manager Gary Fesperman to city hall on his first day of work on Tuesday. (Photo by Scoggins)

Royston Mayor Keith Turman welcomed interim city manager Gary Fesperman to city hall on his first day of work on Tuesday. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Royston hires Fesperman as interim city manager

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – Retired Lavonia City Manager Gary Fesperman will serve as Royston's interim city manager. Fesperman was appointed unanimously Monday by the Royston City Council during a called meeting.
Dr. Harold Rhoades takes a moment to pose with Ukrainians, including his friend Yelena (front center), during one of his visits.

Dr. Harold Rhoades takes a moment to pose with Ukrainians, including his friend Yelena (front center), during one of his visits.

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Rhoades seeks prayers for Ukraine, friends

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   FRANKLIN SPRINGS — Dr. Harold Rhoades has been praying a lot in the past week. He visited Ukraine twice in recent years, and made friends there. He also has five adopted grandchildren — two from Ukraine and three from Russia.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

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Officer-involved shooting being investigated

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
From staff reports   CARNESVILLE – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into an incident in which a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy shot at a vehicle driving toward him Monday.
John Shearhouse helps Scouts place the tree that was planted at the ballpark in Lavonia. (Photo by Sinclair)

John Shearhouse helps Scouts place the tree that was planted at the ballpark in Lavonia. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Arbor Day tree to provide shade at Lavonia ballpark

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — A live oak tree was planted by Lavonia Boy Scouts of America Troops 51 and 5351 at the ballfields Thursday afternoon in honor of Arbor Day. In spring-like weather, Mayor Courtney Umbehant proclaimed Feb.
The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter will hold a groundbreaking March 10 for a new building.

The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter will hold a groundbreaking March 10 for a new building.

Animal shelter to hold groundbreaking

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
LAVONIA – The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter will hold a groundbreaking March 10 for a new building. The groundbreaking, to be held at 2 p.m., will be at the shelter at 870 Bear Creek Road in Lavonia.
The Old Corner Hardware Store restaurant officially reopened last week after six months worth of renovations due to smoke damage from a downtown fire last year. Owner Kelley Tamplin was joined by her family, staff, city leaders, firefighters and supporters for the event, sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, City of Royston and the Royston Downtown Development Authority. (Photo by Scoggins)

The Old Corner Hardware Store restaurant officially reopened last week after six months worth of renovations due to smoke damage from a downtown fire last year. Owner Kelley Tamplin was joined by her family, staff, city leaders, firefighters and supporters for the event, sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, City of Royston and the Royston Downtown Development Authority. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Old Corner Hardware celebrates reopening

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – Royston Mayor Keith Turman said he remembers seeing Kelley Tamplin on the night of Aug. 24 as the building next to Tamplin’s Old Corner Hardware Store restaurant burned down. Tamplin was distraught, with her face in her hands, Turman said.
Lavonia Scout Troop 51 Eagle Scout J.T. Strickland stands beside the fire pit he built for his Eagle Scout Project. (Photo by Sinclair)

Lavonia Scout Troop 51 Eagle Scout J.T. Strickland stands beside the fire pit he built for his Eagle Scout Project. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Lavonia park’s new fire pit finishes Eagle honor

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — The city has a new fire pit with a sitting area in Lavonia Memorial Park near the Scout Hut thanks to its newest Eagle Scout. J.T. Strickland of Lavonia’s Troop 51 built the fire pit for his Eagle Scout Project.
Hours for qualifying will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 7-10 and 9 a.m. until noon on March 11 at the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration in Carnesville.

Hours for qualifying will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 7-10 and 9 a.m. until noon on March 11 at the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration in Carnesville.

Qualifying opens Monday for county, school board seats

News Staff
Thursday, March 3, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Candidate qualifying for local elections begins Monday.
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Blight ideas

News Staff
Thursday, February 24, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Owners of rundown, uninhabitable properties may face an array of new penalties as Franklin County targets blight. Commissioners floated several ideas Tuesday on how to deal with blighted properties.
Royston Elementary School Principal Quowanna Mattox (right) poses with a student who dressed as her during a school dress-up day.

Royston Elementary School Principal Quowanna Mattox (right) poses with a student who dressed as her during a school dress-up day.

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Mattox hopes to empower generations as principal

News Staff
Thursday, February 24, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   ROYSTON — Every day of Black History Month, Royston Elementary School has highlighted a local or famous person who has made history during the morning announcements and on social media.