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Images of Lavonia’s past fill the walls of the city’s meeting room as the last step of planned renovations to the room. (Photo by Sinclair)

Images of Lavonia’s past fill the walls of the city’s meeting room as the last step of planned renovations to the room. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Renovations ‘brighten up’ city council’s meeting room

News Staff
Thursday, December 2, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA – Renovations in the meeting room in city hall are complete for now, and the public is welcomed to see the changes at the council meeting Monday night, or any other time they’d like to stop by. “We’re proud of it,” City manager Charles Cawthon said.
Franklin Springs Mayor Lee Moore (left) presents Ralph Owens a plaque for his 30 years of service on the Industrial Building Authority upon Owens’ retirement as Lavonia mayor in 2019. Owens, who passed away Tuesday, is being remembered as a man who helped better his city and county.

Franklin Springs Mayor Lee Moore (left) presents Ralph Owens a plaque for his 30 years of service on the Industrial Building Authority upon Owens’ retirement as Lavonia mayor in 2019. Owens, who passed away Tuesday, is being remembered as a man who helped better his city and county.

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Lavonia loses 'larger than life' leader

News Staff
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — The crowd gasped before Lavonia’s tree was lit Tuesday night as Mayor Courtney Umbehant shared that longtime Mayor Ralph Owens passed away that afternoon. He was 84 years old.
Kyle Paris works to place the star atop the Canon City Christmas tree in the city park last week. The city will hold its tree lighting service Sunday at 6 p.m. at the park. (Photo by Sinclair)

Kyle Paris works to place the star atop the Canon City Christmas tree in the city park last week. The city will hold its tree lighting service Sunday at 6 p.m. at the park. (Photo by Sinclair)

'Tis the season

News Staff
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
From staff reports   Franklin County’s five cities will kick off the 2021 Christmas season celebration with events over the next week. Royston, Canon, Lavonia, Franklin Springs and Carnesville will all light their town Christmas trees or hold other events beginning Sunday.
Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle receives the Meritorious Gold Award from Butch Ayers, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. (Photo by Sinclair)

Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle receives the Meritorious Gold Award from Butch Ayers, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Lavonia Police honored for 20 years of state certification

News Staff
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — The city’s police department was honored last week in a room full of police chiefs and officers from Northeast Georgia and the executive board of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
Franklin Springs

Franklin Springs

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Lions Place to be widened

News Staff
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   FRANKLIN SPRINGS — Lions Place, which runs beside city hall and is the main road to access the Shaw Athletic Center at Emmanuel College, will be widened the week after Thanksgiving.
Former Emmanuel College Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Ganey (second from right on front row) was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame Saturday. He was joined by a host of former players for the event.

Former Emmanuel College Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Ganey (second from right on front row) was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame Saturday. He was joined by a host of former players for the event.

Ganey inducted to Emmanuel Hall of Fame

News Staff
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
From staff reports   FRANKLIN SPRINGS – Former Emmanuel College athletic director and men’s basketball coach Jim Ganey was inducted to the school’s Hall of Fame in ceremonies during halftime of Saturday’s men’s game against Francis Marion.
Franklin County Middle School teacher Amber Adams coaches Leland Rogers as he works on his rounding skills. (Photo by Sinclair)

Franklin County Middle School teacher Amber Adams coaches Leland Rogers as he works on his rounding skills. (Photo by Sinclair)

FCMS teacher up for award in Hidden Heroes contest

News Staff
Thursday, November 18, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — A Franklin County Middle School teacher is being recognized in a statewide contest in which the community could help her win. Amber Adams was nominated for the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s Hidden Heroes contest.
Franklin’s U.S. military veterans and law enforcement officers – were honored Saturday during a day long county-sponsored Hometown Heroes event. The day began with dedication ceremonies for the county’s Memorial Plaza and Public Safety Memorial – during which Lt. Col. Ronald “Dee” McDonald saluted during the National Anthem. (Photo by Scoggins)

Franklin’s U.S. military veterans and law enforcement officers – were honored Saturday during a day long county-sponsored Hometown Heroes event. The day began with dedication ceremonies for the county’s Memorial Plaza and Public Safety Memorial – during which Lt. Col. Ronald “Dee” McDonald saluted during the National Anthem. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Heroes honored

News Staff
Thursday, November 18, 2021
From staff reports   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County honored its heroes Saturday with an all-day Hometown Heroes celebration. A dedication ceremony for the Franklin County Veterans Memorial and Public Safety Memorial began the day at the Franklin County Courthouse.