Local

A drawing shows the traffic pattern around Lavonia Church of God for those who come to pick up food during the monthly mobile food pantry.

A drawing shows the traffic pattern around Lavonia Church of God for those who come to pick up food during the monthly mobile food pantry.

Church of God new location for monthly Lavonia food giveaway

LAVONIA – The monthly mobile food pantry will change locations beginning with the Jan. 13 distribution of food. Formerly hosted by the Lavonia Presbyterian Church, the food pantry will now be held at Lavonia Church of God at 107 Bear Creek Road in Lavonia.

Ethics training floated

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Community members who volunteer to serve on county boards may soon get guidance on ethics and their duties. Franklin County Commission Chairman Jason Macomson suggested Monday that commissioners require new appointees to receive training.
The Lavonia Police Department plans to reinstitute public programs in 2022.

The Lavonia Police Department plans to reinstitute public programs in 2022.

Lavonia Police to host community programs in 2022

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   LAVONIA – The Lavonia Police Department plans to reinstitute public programs in 2022. “I do want to get out and not be a recluse again like we have been the last couple of years,” Chief Bruce Carlisle said. The department plans to hold one program each month.
Director of Donor Relations and Fundraising Lucy Floyd, Founder and Executive Director Beverly Oxley, and Program Director Tanya Hipp show the progress made on the construction of the new facility for The Ark Family Preservation Center. Utilities were set, and lumber was waiting to start framing when weather permits. (Photo by Sinclair)

Director of Donor Relations and Fundraising Lucy Floyd, Founder and Executive Director Beverly Oxley, and Program Director Tanya Hipp show the progress made on the construction of the new facility for The Ark Family Preservation Center. Utilities were set, and lumber was waiting to start framing when weather permits. (Photo by Sinclair)

The Ark nears facility fundraising goal

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   FRANKLIN SPRINGS  — In just six months, The Ark Family Preservation Center raised more than $450,000 — $277,000 of which came in the last two weeks of the year — and is just shy of its goal to raise $1 million for its new facility.
Jerry “Scoot” Rice and Scott Bailey are donating x-ray machine equipment left in the former medical building they turning into a storage facility. (Photo by Sinclair)

Jerry “Scoot” Rice and Scott Bailey are donating x-ray machine equipment left in the former medical building they turning into a storage facility. (Photo by Sinclair)

Businessmen donate x-ray machine

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — Since his team is working to turn the former Lavonia Medical Offices on Augusta Road into a climate-controlled storage facility, Scott Bailey and his business partners had no need for the x-ray machine left in the building.
Royston Mayor David Jordan will leave office Dec. 31 after 12 years leading the city. (Photo by Scoggins)

Royston Mayor David Jordan will leave office Dec. 31 after 12 years leading the city. (Photo by Scoggins)

'An honor and pleasure'

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – When David Jordan ran for mayor, he won by one vote. The result ended with a court challenge that cost him $5,100 in legal fees for the $5,000 per year salary to lead the city. “It cost me $100 to be mayor that year,” Jordan said.
The former Lavonia Methodist Church was a brick building built in 1907. It was destroyed by a fire in 1946. The new church was built on the same land, and the sanctuary was ready for its first service in August 1949.

The former Lavonia Methodist Church was a brick building built in 1907. It was destroyed by a fire in 1946. The new church was built on the same land, and the sanctuary was ready for its first service in August 1949.

Lavonia church burned 75 years ago

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — A focal point of Lavonia United Methodist Church is the Christmas scene stained glass window above the altar. The Rev. Hugh Hendrickson believes there’s reason for that.
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Health officials expect variant to affect area

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   State cases of COVID-19 nearly doubled over the holiday weekend due to the Omicron variant, reflecting the spike in cases seen a year ago. But Franklin County didn’t see the same increases as a year ago.
Vivian Young answers a phone call in her office during one of her last days as DDA director. (Photo by Sinclair)

Vivian Young answers a phone call in her office during one of her last days as DDA director. (Photo by Sinclair)

Young plans to continue work for city in retirement

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — Just because Vivian Young is retiring from the city at the end of the year doesn’t mean she won’t be around. “I’m not going to quit working for the city,” Young said.